Mr. Forbes shook his head and turned away. "We can attend to the legal details some other time," he said briefly. "You are busy to-day, so I will not detain you." Mr. Denton sat down at his desk again, and as the door closed behind his partner he bowed his head upon his bosom. "Alone and yet not alone," he whispered softly. "God grant me strength to do my duty, and if my lot is failure, let me accept it bravely. It is all a man can do. He must follow his conscience." The door opened again, and Faith Marvin entered. She had her hat on, and was ready for the visit to Maggie Brady. "I wonder what she wishes to see me for?" said her employer, musingly. "Is she desirous of upbraiding me, do you think, Miss Marvin?" "Why should she upbraid you?" asked Faith, very soberly. "You certainly are not to blame for the actions of your son, and as for her arrest, you simply had to do it." "She may say that I should have protected her from him," he answered. "Some way I blame myself continually in that particular direction." "A girl should be able to protect herself," said Faith sternly. "I can't quite understand such weakness in women, unless it is, as poor Miss Jennings used to say, 'the iniquities of the fathers visited upon generations of the innocent.'" "I believe that fully," said Mr. Denton with a sigh. "It is one reason why I am merciful in my own boy's case--my sins have been perpetuated! Can I ever efface them?" They left the building together, going out of one of the side doors. Just as they reached the sidewalk a handsome carriage drew up before the entrance. "Why, that is my own carriage!" exclaimed Mr. Denton quickly. The next instant James Denton sprang from the carriage and came face to face with Faith and his father. CHAPTER XXXV. MAGGIE BRADY'S SECRET. "What is it? Is anything wrong?" asked Mr. Denton quickly. "Mother is worse," was the short answer. "She's gone out of her head completely." Mr. Denton paused and rubbed his brow perplexedly. "Oh, what is it, sir?" asked Faith eagerly. "Is your wife really ill? I have heard it rumored that she was, but I did not know whether to believe it." "She is, indeed!" exclaimed young Denton, looking angrily at his father; "and she has every reason to be. It is only natural." "Hush!" exclaimed Mr. Denton sternly. "You shall not criticise my actions. As your father, I expect and demand your silence. I am responsible to God alone--not to my wife or family." "Well, you will have her to answer for, just the same," said the son, sullenly. "She can't see you throwing away your money and keep her senses much longer." "For shame!" cried Faith hotly. "Can't you see, Mr. Denton, that your father is sorely distressed? How dare you trample upon his feelings in such a brutal manner?" James Denton wheeled around and faced the speaker. "My mother is going crazy," he said, almost gently. "You must pardon me, Miss Marvin, but I love my mother."