"You have not told me what this fellow's hold on you is?" he said, after a moment's silence. "Oh, he's done me one or two good turns." "You mean in the way of money?" Marshall nodded. "Are you in his debt now, may I ask?" "No," and Marshall moved restlessly. "Are you quite frank with me, Marshall?" asked the judge with that rare gentleness of voice and manner that only his son knew. "Quite." "Because it would be better to make every sacrifice and be rid of the obligation." Another long pause followed in which there came to the ears of the two men the sound of a noisy waltz that Evelyn was playing. Again it was the judge who broke the oppressive silence. "I came here to-night, Marshall, because there is a matter I must discuss with you. Perhaps you will tell me what you and Gilmore have done with Joe Montgomery?" Marshall had sought to prepare himself against the time when this very question should be asked him, but the color left his cheeks. "I don't think I know what you mean," he said slowly. His father made an impatient gesture. "Don't tell me that! What has become of Montgomery? Look at me! Two nights ago he came to see me; I had sent for him; I had learned from Nellie that he had practically deserted her. I learned further from the man himself that you and Gilmore were largely responsible for this." "He was drunk, of course." "He had been drinking--yes--" "Doesn't that explain his remarkable statement? What reason could Andy or any one have for wishing to keep him from his wife?" asked Marshall who had recovered his accustomed steadiness. "He was ready with an answer for that question when I asked it. Do you wish to know what that answer was?" said the judge. Marshall did not trust himself to speak; he felt the judge's eyes on him and could not meet them. He saw himself cowering there in his chair with his guilt stamped large on every feature. His throat was dry and his lips were parched, he did not know whether he could speak. His shoulders drooped and his chin rested on his breast. What was the use--was it worth the struggle? Suppose Montgomery, in spite of his promises, came back to Mount Hope, suppose Gilmore's iron nerve failed him! "You don't answer me, Marshall," said the judge. "I don't understand you--" evaded Marshall. "From my soul I wish I could believe you!" exclaimed his father. "If it's not debt, what is the nature of your discreditable connection with Gilmore?" Marshall glanced up quickly; he seemed to breathe again; perhaps after all Montgomery had said less than he supposed him to have said! "I have already told you that I owe Gilmore nothing!" "I should be glad to think it, but I warn you to stand clear of him and his concerns, for I am going to investigate the truth of Montgomery's story," declared the judge. "What did he tell you?" Marshall spoke with an effort. "That his evidence in the North case was false, that it was inspired by Gilmore." Marshall passed a shaking hand across his face.