Now David arose and walked the narrow space before Turrill. “I suppose his bondsmen will make good! He has bondsmen, hasn't he? I don't know much about such things.” “They'll have to make good what he is short,” said Turrill. “Seth Hardcome will have to make it all good. Tony Porter is on the bond, but he hasn't a cent. If he had a cent he wouldn't have gone on the bond--that's the kind he is. Hardcome is the man that'll have to make good. But he'll see Mart Ware in the penitentiary first.” “Why!” Turrill made a gesture with his hand. “How do I know! Mart says so; Mart went to him. He told Hardcome the whole thing and asked him to see him through--said he would work his hands to the bone to pay it back. Hardcome won't do anything and Porter can't and Marty will kill himself before he goes to the pen. Hardcome is one of your deacons, or whatever you call them, isn't he!” “No. He is not in my church at all,” said David. “But he is a just man; I am sure he is a just man.” “He is a hard man,” said Turrill. “The most he would do for me was to say he would keep his mouth shut until the new treasurer goes in. He says he'll send Marty to the pen; he'll kill Marty instead.” Turrill arose. There was no emotion shown on his inscrutable gambler's face. David stood fingering the money Turrill had handed him, and Turrill moved to the door. From the back he looked like an old, old man. “You can see what you can do, if you want to,” Turrill said. “I can't do anything.” “Wait!” David said. “You'll let me thank you for coming to me? You'll let me call on you for help if I need it?” “Anything!” said Turrill, and with that he went. 'Thusia was in the kitchen and David went there. “It's Marty Ware,” he said. “He's in trouble, 'Thusia. I'll have to go downtown and let my sermon go. We'll give them another from the bottom of the barrel this time. Do you suppose you can, presently, take Alice and drop in on Marty's mother for a little visit? Are you able?” “In half an hour?” “Yes, or in an hour. Marty is in dire trouble, 'Thusia, and I don't know whether he can be pulled out of it. I'm going to do what I can. I've been thinking of his mother; she is so--what's the word!--aloof! isolated! so by herself. If the trouble comes she will need someone, some woman, or she will break. I'd send Rose Hinch, but I think you would be better--you and Alice.” “Yes, I understand,” 'Thusia said. “'Something not too bright and good for human nature's daily food.' Is Marty's trouble serious!” David placed his hand on his wife's shoulder. “I can't tell you how serious, 'Thusia,” he said. “I don't want you to know. You'll not let his mother guess we know anything about it!” “Let me think!” said 'Thusia. “Didn't she give a lemon cake for our last church dinner! I'm sure she did! It will be about that I happen to run in. You'll be back in time for supper, David! Hot rolls, you know!” “Oh, if it is hot rolls you can depend on me!” David smiled.