"Hang it all! I shall have to take your mother, too. Posy, we haven’t time to argue this. Hunsaker will be here directly. Luck has thrust into my hands a tremendous lever; and I mean to use it." "Is that your last word?" "Yes, it is. I’m fighting for you, fighting to a finish. And ever since the world began, women have had to look on at such a fight——" "And take the winner?" She laughed derisively. "I shall be the winner!" "Come up and tell father so." "Right!" "Mother and I will look on." *III* They went upstairs in silence, to find Tomlin reading the paper, and Susan engaged in dusting the china. "Where’s father?" asked Posy. "Busy with Mabel Dredge. I’ll fetch him." Posy sat down. From her face it was impossible to divine what was passing through her brain. She folded her hands upon her lap and waited. Quinney appeared, followed by Susan. He glared at James, and then fixed his gaze upon Posy. "Well, my girl?" She said demurely: "It’s to be a fight to a finish for me." "Damn!" said Tomlin. Susan wandered to the window, staring aimlessly into the square. She heard Tomlin saying hoarsely: "Joe, you take my advice; let the girl have the man she wants. S’elp me, if one o’ my daughters took a shine to him, she should have him! You’re fairly downed, old man, and you know it. This Hunsaker will be here before we can turn round!" "He is here," said Susan, turning from the window. *CHAPTER XXIII* *THE RESULT* *I* Susan was somewhat astonished at the effect of her announcement upon those present. She added, after a pause: "A middle-aged gentleman is with him." "Ho!" ejaculated Quinney. Evidently Hunsaker had brought the expert to Soho Square. He said sharply to James: "Go downstairs, and bring these gentlemen up here!" James glanced at Posy, and then at Quinney. "You mean that, sir?" "Of course I mean it! Scoot!" Tomlin’s mottled countenance deepened in tint. He rose from his chair and approached Quinney. James moved slowly towards the door, but he heard Tomlin’s hoarse whisper: "Better give in, Joe." Quinney answered loudly: "Never!" "We can’t face the music, if he squeals." "I can." He addressed the company generally, in a fierce voice: "You mark what I say—all of you. I’d sooner be ruined, lock, stock, and barrel, than give my daughter to that man!" He pointed at James, whose self-possession was beginning to fail him. "What are you waiting for?" he demanded. "Do as I tell you. Ask Mr. Hunsaker and his friend, with my compliments, to come here!" James vanished silently, as Tomlin muttered: "I’ll retire." Instantly Quinney interposed his small, sturdy figure between the big dealer and the door. "No, you don’t, Tom Tomlin! Shoulder to shoulder with me, old man, till the last shot is fired!"