XXI. Soundings in Deep Waters 292 XXII. A Conference at the Allequippa 299 XXIII. The End of a Sleigh-ride 307 XXIV. Jean Answers a Question 317 XXV. Colonel Craighill is Annoyed 327 XXVI. Colonel Craighill Scores a Point 335 XXVII. “I’m Going Back to Joe” 344 XXVIII. Closed Doors 355 XXIX. “You Love Another Man, Jean” 368 XXX. The House of Peace 378 XXXI. Wayne Sees Jean Again 397 XXXII. An Angry Encounter 408 XXXIII. The High Moment of Their Lives 416 XXXIV. The Heart of the Bugle 428 XXXV. Golden Bridge 446 XXXVI. Two Old Friends Seek Wayne 460 XXXVII. Wayne Visits His Father’s House 467 XXXVIII. “They’re Callin’ Strikes on Me” 475 XXXIX. We See Walsh Again 487 XL. The Belated Appearance of John McCandless Blair 493 XLI. “My City--Our City” 498 ILLUSTRATIONS Jean Morley _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “Men who work with their hands--these things!” 322 “There was a dull sound as of a blow struck” 422 “Ghosts, the ghosts of dead soldiers” 442 THE LORDS OF HIGH DECISION The Lords of High Decision CHAPTER I THE FACE IN THE LOCKET As Mrs. John McCandless Blair entered the house her brother, Wayne Craighill, met her in the hall. The clock on the stair landing was striking seven. “On time, Fanny? How did it ever happen?” he demanded as she caught his hands and peered into his face. He blinked under her scrutiny; she always gave him this sharp glance when they met,--and its significance was not wasted on him; but she was satisfied and kissed him, and then, as he took her wrap: “For heaven’s sake what’s up, Wayne? Father was ominously solemn in telephoning me to come over. John’s dining at the Club--I think father wants to see us alone.” “It rather looks that way, Fanny,” replied Wayne, laughing at his sister’s earnestness. “Well, is he going to do it at last?” “There’s no use kicking if he is, so be prepared for the worst.” “Well, if it’s that Baltimore woman----” “Or that Philadelphia woman, or the person he met in Berlin--the one from nowhere----” Their voices had reached Colonel Craighill and he came into the hall and greeted his daughter affectionately. “Give me credit, papa! I was on time to-night!”