"Let's shake the chaff out and see what's left of all this. You stole my share of those bonds, and now that you're in danger of getting caught you want me to help you hide the boodle. You flatter me with the idea that my reputation is so much better than yours that I'm in a position to keep you out of jail. And for a little thing like that you're willing to give me my honest share of a crooked deal! You're a wonder, Charlie! It must have tickled you to death to see me turning my poor old farm over to Kirkwood to uphold the family honor while you were chasing over the country with the real stuff packed away with your pajamas. It's picturesque, I must say!" His eyes rested upon his brother's face lingeringly, but his tone and manner were indulgent, as though he were an older brother who had caught a younger one in a misdemeanor. "Cut that out! I've told you the whole truth. If you won't help, all right." "No, it isn't all right. There's no all right about any of this. It's rotten clean through." He frowned with the stress of his thought, then rose, and began buttoning his coat. "Well?" Charles questioned harshly, impatient for his brother's decision. "I won't do it. I won't have anything to do with your scheme. After the trouble you've taken to steal those bonds it would be a shame to take any of them away from you. I advise you to carry them back to Indianapolis and turn them over to Kirkwood. He's not half the cold-blooded scoundrel you seem to think. You'd make a big hit with him." "And after I've told you everything--after I've shown you that I was only covering up father's share in that construction business, for your sake, and our sister's, that's all you've got to say about it!" "Every word!" A malevolent grin crossed the older man's face. He was white with passion. "You'll pay for this; I'll land one on you for this that will hurt." He waited expectantly for Fred to demand the nature of this vengeance; his rage cried for the satisfaction of seeing him flinch at the blow. Fred settled his cap on his head and walked stolidly toward the door. Charles caught him by the shoulder and flung him round. "You think you can drop me like that! Not by a damned sight you can't! You think you stand pretty close to the Montgomerys, don't you?--the only real good Holton in the bunch--but I'll give you a jar. You imagine you're going to marry Phil, don't you?--but I'll show you a thing or two. I'm going to marry Phil myself; it's all practically understood." "That's all right, too, Charlie," replied Fred calmly. "The ambition does you proud. I suppose when you tell Kirkwood you're engaged to his daughter he will call off the dogs." "Oh, they're not so high and mighty! Now that Phil's mother has brought her smirched reputation back here, Phil will be glad to marry and get out." "Just for old time's sake, Charlie, I advise you not to play that card."