He confessed to himself that he was reckless. The transactions of the past few days had left him at the edge of the abyss; he recognised his peril, but could not see beyond his own impulses. "I believe I'll do it," he was muttering to himself as he paused across the street from their door. "Graydon ought to hear both sides of the story." He crossed the street with hesitating steps. His thin coat collar was buttoned close about his neck; his gloveless hands were wet and cold from the mist. As he stopped at the foot of the stone steps a man came hurrying along, glancing at the house numbers as he approached. "Do you know whether this is David Cable's house?" he asked. Bansemer saw that he was a young man and an eager one. "I think it is." The other bounded up the steps and rang the bell. When the servant opened the door Bansemer heard the new arrival ask for Cable, adding that he was from one of the newspapers, and that he must see him at once. Bansemer stood stark and dumb at the foot of the steps. The whole situation had rushed upon him like an avalanche. Harbert had filed his charges and the hasty visit of the reporter proved that David Cable was an instrument in them. The blood surged to his head; he staggered under the shock of increased rage. "Graydon is against me! They've won him over! Open the door, damn you! I want my son!" He shouted the demand in the face of the startled servant as he pushed rudely past him. "You stay here, young fellow, and you'll hear a story that will fill a whole paper. I am James Bansemer. Where is Cable? You!" to the servant. "Sh!" cried the frightened servant, recognising him. "Mrs. Cable is resting, sir." "What are you doing here?" Bansemer demanded of the reporter, exerting all his crafty resourcefulness in the effort to calm himself. "Cable has been elected president of the---" began the young man just as Cable himself started down the stairway. "Cable, where is my son?" demanded Bansemer loudly, starting toward the steps. He had not removed his hat and was, indeed, an ominous figure. Cable clutched the stair rail and glared down at him in amazement. Before he could pull himself together sufficiently to reply, Graydon Bansemer hurried past him and stared in alarm at the unexpected figure below. "What's the matter, dad?" he cried. "What has happened?" "Aha? You think something could have happened, eh? Damn all of their souls, you shan't be taken in by them. Come down here, boy!" "Father, are you crazy?" gasped Graydon, rushing down the stairs. "Get him away from here, Graydon, for God's sake," exclaimed Cable. "Take him away! He's your father, but if he stays in this house a minute longer I'll kill him!" The man from the newspaper was shrewd enough to withdraw into a less exposed spot. He saw a great "beat" in prospect.