"That is true to-day, but to-morrow it may not be. The refusal of this loan by the Seaboard will send back to us every copper stock we have borrowed money on. They are good, better than Portage, but the banks won't believe it. I want this additional money to tide this over." "You won't get a dollar!" "Then I'll notify the Exchange of our suspension at once. If we stop now we can carry out your statement and pay every dollar we owe. If we keep on with the market as it is we may not pay fifty cents. Which will you do?" "Not a dime, sir! Not a cent! Do you hear me--not one cent! You two fools can work it out to suit yourselves. I'm through with you both!" and he slammed the door behind him. * * * * * The boys were already crying the news of the downfall of his house when, late that afternoon, Philip pushed aside the velvet curtain and stepped into Adam's studio. He had bought an extra on his way uptown and held it in his hand. "Failure in Wall Street! Philip Colton & Co. suspend!" the headlines read. "It's all over, Gregg," he said, dropping into a chair, without even offering the painter his hand. "And he refused to help!" exclaimed Adam. "Yes, not a cent! There was nothing else to do. We can pay every dollar we owe, but it leaves me stranded. Madeleine is the worst part of it. I did not think she'd go back on me. They are furious at her house. I stopped there, but she wouldn't see me--nobody would. She's wrong, and when she gets the truth she'll think differently, but it's pretty hard while it lasts." Adam laid his hand on Phil's shoulder and looked steadily into his face. "Do you regret it, Phil?" The old search-lights were sweeping right and left again. "Yes, all the trouble it brings and the injury to the firm and to Mr. Eggleston, for I don't forget he's my partner. I didn't think it would end in ruin. I bungled it badly, maybe." "Are you sorry?" "No, I'd do it over again!" answered Philip firmly, as he glanced at the portrait. Gregg tightened his grasp on Philip's shoulder. "That's the true ring, my son!" he cried, his eyes filling with tears. "I've never loved you as I do this minute Now you begin to live. This day marks the parting of the roads: From this day you go forward, not back. It doesn't make any difference what happens or what things you----" "And you don't think Madeleine will----"