"I warn you," he repeated, ignoring her question. "You will bring that man into this house again at the peril of his life and yours." "Yes, you are talking to a woman now," she hissed. "Babbler, preacher, parson, coward! Why did you not say this to him?" "I'll say it in due time," he answered, deliberately folding his arms. "In the meantime, I will inform you, as you are in search of a master, that I am your master and the master of this house." With a stamp of her foot, she swept from the room, throwing over her shoulder the challenge: "We shall see!" CHAPTER XXIX BULLDOG AND MASTIFF Gordon remained in the house during the entire afternoon. Kate called a boy and sent two messages. One of them summoned her lawyer, the same polite gentleman who had brought the wonderful message from that house a few years before. At 6:30 Gordon went to his study. The wind had risen steadily and was blowing now a gale from the northwest, and he could feel the cut of hail mixed with the raindrops. It was fearful under foot, and he knew his crowd would be small. His mind was in a whirl of nervous rage. "Bah! It's this infernal storm in the air," he cried, in disgust. A feeling of suffocation at last mastered him. He turned the service over to an assistant, left the Temple, and returned to Gramercy Park with feverish step. Overman was in the library in earnest consultation with Kate. They both sprang to their feet as he hurriedly entered, and he could see that Kate was trembling with excitement and dread. The banker was cool and insolent. Gordon walked quickly to Kate's side and spoke in icy tones of command. "Go to your room. I have something to say to this gentleman it will not be necessary for you to hear." She hesitated and glanced inquiringly at Overman. "Certainly; it's best," came his low, quick answer. The hesitation and appeal to the new master were not lost on Gordon. He squared his gigantic shoulders, and wet his lips as if to cool them. "Very well," she said, facing Gordon. "Before I go I wish to announce to you that it will not be convenient for you to spend another night in this house. If you do not go, I will." He bowed politely and waved her away with a graceful gesture. "That will do. I do not care to hear any more." Kate turned and quickly left the room. "Won't you sit down?" Gordon said, offering Overman a chair with excessive courtesy. "Thanks; I prefer to stand," he answered, gruffly. The single eye was fixed on the man opposite in a steady blaze, following every step and every movement in silence. Gordon took his place by Overman's side, thrust his big thumbs into his vest at the armpits, and looked off into space. "It's no use, Mark, for us to mince words," he began, in even, clear tones. "I understand the situation perfectly." "Then the solution should be easy under your code," the banker dryly remarked.