"Don't you mind, father dear, what he said." Doctor West grew yet more pale. "Then--he said--the same as the others?" She held him tight. "Dear daddy!" "Then--he refused?" "Yes--but don't you mind it," she tried to say bravely. Without a sound, the old man's head dropped upon his chest. He held to Katherine a moment; then he moved waveringly to an old haircloth sofa, sank down upon it and bowed his face into his hands. Bruce broke the silence. "I am to understand, then, that your father has no lawyer?" Katherine wheeled from the bowed figure, and her anger leaped instantly to a white heat. "And why has he no lawyer?" she cried. "Because of the inhuman things you wrote about him!" "You forget, Miss West, that I am running a newspaper, and it is my business to print the news." "The news, yes; but not a malignant, ferocious distortion of the news! Look at my father there. Does it not fill your soul with shame to think of the black injustice you have done him?" "Mere sentiment! Understand, I do not let conventional sentiment stand between me and my duty." "Your duty!" There was a world of scorn in her voice. "And, pray, what is your duty?" "Part of it is to establish, and maintain, decent standards of public service in this town." "Don't hide behind that hypocritical pretence! I've heard about you. I know the sort of man you are. You saw a safe chance for a yellow story for your yellow newspaper, a safe chance to gain prominence by yelping at the head of the pack. If he had been a rich man, if he had had a strong political party behind him, would you have dared assail him as you have? Never! Oh, it was brutal--infamous--cowardly!" There was an angry fire behind the editor's thick glasses, and his square chin thrust itself out. He took a step nearer. "Listen to me!" he commanded in a slow, defiant voice. "Your opinion is to me a matter of complete indifference. I tell you that a man who betrays his city is a traitor, and that I would treat an old traitor exactly as I would treat a young traitor, I tell you that I take it as a sign of an awakening public conscience when reputable lawyers refuse to defend a man who has done what your father has done. And, finally, I predict that, try as you may, you will not be able to find a decent lawyer who will dare to take his case. And I glory in it, and consider it the result of my work!" He bowed to her. "And now, Miss West, I wish you good afternoon." She stood quivering, gasping, while he crossed to the door. As his hand fell upon the knob she sprang forward. "Wait!" she cried. "Wait! He has a lawyer!" He paused. "Indeed! And whom?" "One who is going to make you take back every cowardly word you have printed!" "Who is it, Katherine?" It was her father who spoke. She turned. Doctor West had raised his head, and in his eyes was an eager, hopeful light. She bent over him and slipped an arm about his shoulders.