As the Elder answered Dan's arguments and pleadings, the minister's face grew very sad, and his low, slow voice trembled at times. When the uselessness of his efforts were too evident for him to continue the conversation he turned sadly toward the door. Something caused the Judge to say, "Don't go yet, Brother Matthews. You see, being a minister, there are some things that you don't understand. You are making a mistake in--" He caught his breath. Instead of leaving the room, Dan was closing and locking the door. He came back in three quick strides. This time he placed his hat on the table. When he spoke his voice was still low--intense--shaken with feeling. "You say, sir, that some things are inevitable. You are right." There was that in his manner now that made the man in the chair tremble. He started to speak, but Dan silenced him. "You have said quite enough, sir. Don't think that I have not fully considered this matter. I have. It is inevitable. Turn to your desk there and write a letter to Mrs. Mulhall granting her another year of time." The Judge tried to laugh, but his dry lips made a strange sound. With a quick movement he jerked open the top right-hand drawer, but before he could lay hand on the weapon, Dan leaped to within easy striking distance. "Shut that drawer!" The Judge obeyed. "Now write!" "I'll have the law on you! I'll put you out of the Christian ministry! I'll have you arrested if you assault me. I'll--" "I have considered all that, too," said Dan. "Try it, and you will stir up such a feeling that the people of this community will drive you out of the country. You can't do it and live in Corinth, Judge Strong. You have too much at stake in this town to risk it. You won't have me arrested for this; you can't afford it, sir. Write that letter and no one but you and I will ever know of this incident. Refuse, or fail to keep the promise of your letter, and no power on earth shall prevent me from administering justice! You who would rob that crippled boy of his garden--" The man shuddered. Suddenly he opened his mouth to call. But Dan, reading his purpose in his eyes, had him by the throat before he could utter a sound. This was enough. With the letter in his pocket Dan stood silently regarding his now cowering victim, and his deep voice was full of pain as he said, in that slow way, "I regret this incident, Brother Strong, more than I can say. I have no apology to make. It was inevitable. You have my word that no one shall know, from me, what has occurred here this evening. When you think it all over you will not carry the matter further. You cannot afford it. You will see that you cannot afford it." When the Judge lifted his head he was alone. "Did I keep you waiting too long?" asked Dan, when he had again taken his place by Miss Farwell's side. "Oh no! But tell me: is it all right?" "Yes, it's all right. Judge Strong has kindly granted our friends another year. That will give us time to do something."