Baird wondered if there was any one of their class in the southeastern states who was not, by marriage or otherwise, cousin to a Westmore. It was an effective argument he had used in persuading Edwin Carter and the others who were combining to form the automobile manufacturing company in which Baird meant to have a large interest, that Garvin would serve them well if given the city agency. "Good!" he said. "Nail him--or any one else who comes your way. The commission'll be yours." "How soon do you think I can get back into town and get to work?" Garvin asked. "Is the agency a sure thing?" It was the question to which he had been leading. Baird had no intention of being hurried in the matter. He meant that Edward should give a guarantee for Garvin that would make his own position in the firm "a sure thing." "I'll know that in a few days, Garvin. I have to see Edwin Carter again--I can tell you more then. I see no reason why the thing shouldn't go through. I'm going to make every effort to get it for you." Garvin was forced to curb his impatience. "You're a brick, Baird." "No--I think you're the man for the place." They parted, each taking up thoughts that had little to do with business. Garvin looked up at the long dim line of Westmore. Let Edward have the place if he wanted it; it was rightfully Edward's; it was Edward's money that had bought up the mortgages. He would take Ann and go. Go soon, even if he had to attach himself to Baird's firm merely as a traveling agent. He unsaddled, stalled his horse, and let himself into the house. The lights were out; Edward and Judith must have gone to bed. But he saw, as he came up the stairs, that Edward was still up. He was standing in his open door, evidently waiting for him. In his harassed condition, Edward was the last person he wanted to see. "You up, Ed?" he said casually. "Yes.... Come in here--I want to speak to you." Garvin knew instantly that something serious had happened; Edward's manner was so deadly quiet, his voice so ominously even. The apprehension that harried them all was the first thing that settled upon Garvin. "Well, what now?" he said. "Sarah again, I suppose." Edward closed the door, then faced him. "No.... I wish that every other irresponsible in our family was as safely guarded as poor Sarah is in the place to which I took her.... Garvin Westmore, what's this thing you've been doing? Leading astray a girl who is no more than a child--meeting her at night! How far has it gone? By heaven! if you have harmed her--I'll--" Edward broke off, grasping at the self-control that was leaving him.