George possessed a pair of keen gray eyes that compelled frankness. Will did not hesitate. "I've lost all--every cent, George! Got desperate. Was fooled into crazy speculation. Lost _all_--all, I say, and I'm ruined hopelessly, beyond any help of yours." George's face became serious, and he watched Will keenly. "Didn't I tell you that I would get the money for you tonight? Is that all?" he asked gravely. "Will, you are hiding something," he added with firmness. "Yes, there is more," Will replied, a crimson flush surmounting to his temples. Suddenly he looked around with a hunted expression. "George, I'm branded a _thief_! I'll be hounded tomorrow. A _thief_!--you hear me? Not a man! Alma's husband--a thief!" George grasped his shoulder in consternation. "You're crazy, man! Stop such names! you are exaggerating some mis-step. Tell me everything! I'll stand by you. Don't be a coward!" The hunted expression gave way to one of misery. "George, you're a brick, but you can't save me. When I lost my own money, I became frenzied--succeed I must or be in disgrace for debt. I don't know how I did it. I took the bank's money when sure of success--meant to put it back--speculated with it, lost all, all! I heard tonight they had discovered it. To-morrow will come the arrest. I'll be a jail-bird soon--a thief behind the bars!" George's face became stolidly set. "How much did you borrow?" he asked calmly. "Fifty thousand," he answered hoarsely. "Whew!" returned George, with a low whistle. Both men stared into the fire with tragic silence. "Well?" finally asked Will wearily. George arose and slowly buttoned his coat before replying. "I must think it over, old boy!" he said kindly, and his voice was husky through its firmness. "It's a bad case, but there must be a way out of it. I'll get here soon after daybreak. Think it over hard in the meantime. The best thing for Alma, must be your first consideration, _yourself_ next." "Alma! How can _she_ bear it!" "She'll bear it like a woman, I hope," returned George quickly. "You have run the gauntlet for her sake, haven't you? You've lived beyond your means, until debts have accumulated to your distraction. I have not been blind to all this. But I never dreamed of _this_ climax." "For _her_ sake, yes, but that makes my sin no lighter," Will returned gloomily. "But it makes it less black--anyway to those who care a heap for you!" George exclaimed, grasping Will's hand. "_You_ care, now that you know what I am?" asked Will, surprise overcoming other emotions. "Now that I know what you are? I know that you are a man up against a devilish proposition, and all on account of your love for a beautiful, adorable woman. You don't think that I'd break with you for that, do you?" A glimmer of hope shot from Will's fine, dark eyes. "You're even better than I thought you," he returned simply, and the two men parted without further remark. As George was about to leave, Alma met him in the foyer.