That Mrs. Cabot still was with them further unnerved her. Collapsing into a chair, struggling with hysteria, she sobbed out her denunciation. When able to look among the faces of the group gathered about her, she saw that all were grave excepting two. Mrs. Cabot looked entertained, Mr. Brill triumphant. The manner that befits an occasion gave the deacon greater weight as he turned to address his colleagues. “Brothers, I have long suspected that the feet of the god set up by this congregation are of clay. I hesitated to voice so distressing a thought, lest I err. None of you, however, can doubt the testimony just heard and seen. The hardest-hearted of you can have only pity for the courageous young woman who has exposed this aide of the Evil One. Dumbfounded though you may be, I ask you to act with me now--_at once_. There is not space within these hallowed walls to house both him and me. Five minutes should give him time to choose between a church trial or immediate resignation. In either case, it is important that we give the news to Park Row at once, before he who is so fond of sensation has time to discredit us. Brothers, shall we wait upon the pastor in the sanctum which he has so disgraced?” While the honest laymen of All Mankind discussed this drastic proposal, Brill addressed himself to the girl. “A man can scarcely be expected to understand the outraged state of your feelings, Miss Trent. But at least I realize that you must shrink from the idea of facing that wolf in sheep’s clothing again. I’ll send your wraps up here. Also, it seems to me inadvisable for your own sake that you remain in the employ of the church. In this envelope I have sealed the equivalent of a month’s wages.... Oh, do not hesitate to take it! Notice or money is due a dismissed employee.” Glancing over-shoulder and seeing that the committee had congregated near the door in animated argument, he made his considerable figure the silencer of a low-voiced apology. “Sorry I teased you about the cigarette, little girl. I had an object which you did not at the time suspect--to discover, through you, more about that scoundrel. I was trying you out, just as the soprano was being tried out upstairs, to see whether he had got you into the bad habit of smoking. Didn’t blame you at all when you scratched and bit, so you mustn’t hold it against me. You appear to be a young woman of sterling character--a mighty good little girl.” Bending and beaming, he patted her on the head. The eyes wontedly so nondescript above the billowy face and cascade of chins, squinted through their double lenses benevolently.