"I tried to make you understand. I told you that I would do anything for you. But you didn’t comprehend.... Yet, I meant it. I mean it now. She belongs to you, Cleland. I want you to take her. I wish her to understand that I give her the freedom she’s entitled to. That she need not be afraid to take it—need not fear that I might make an ass of myself." He laughed again, quite gaily: "No, indeed, I mean to live. I tell you, Cleland, there is no excitement on earth like beating Fate at her own game. There’s only one thing——" After a pause, Cleland looked up into the man’s wistful, golden eyes. "What is it, Grismer?" "If I could win—your friendship——" "Good God!" whispered Cleland, rising and offering a hand that shook, "—Do you think I’m worth it, Oswald?" Their hands met, clasped; a strange light flashed in Grismer’s golden eyes. "Do you mean it, Cleland?" "With all my heart, old chap.... I don’t know what to say to you—except that you’re white all through—straighter than I am, Grismer—clean to the soul of you!" Grismer drew a long, deep breath. "Thanks," he said. "That’s about all I want of life.... Tell Stephanie what you said to me—if you don’t mind.... I don’t care what others think ... if you and she think me straight." "Oswald, I tell you you’re straighter than I am—stronger. Your thoughts never wavered; you stood steady to punishment, not whimpering. I’ve had a curb-bit on myself, and I don’t know now how long it might have taken me to get it between my teeth and smash things." Grismer smiled: "It would have taken two to smash the Cleland traditions. It couldn’t have been done—between you and Stephanie.... Are you going back to Runner’s Rest to-night?" "Yes—if you say so," he replied in a low voice. "I do say so. Call her on the telephone as soon as you leave here. Then take the first train." "And you? Will you come?" "Not to-night." "Will you let us know when you can come, Oswald?" Grismer picked up a shabby dressing gown from the back of a decrepit chair, and put it on over his undershirt and trousers. "Sure," he said pleasantly. "I’ve one or two matters to keep me here. I’ll fix them up to-night.... And please make it very plain to Stephanie that I’m taking this affair beautifully and that the last thing I’d do would be to indulge in any foolishness to shock her.... I’m really most interested in living. Tell her so. She will believe it. For I have never lied to her, Cleland." They walked together to the area gate. "Stephanie should see her attorneys," said Grismer. "The easiest way, I think, would be for her to leave the state and for me to go abroad. Her attorneys will advise her. But," he added carelessly, "there’s time to talk over that with her. The main thing is to know that she will be free. And she will be.... Good night, Cleland!" ... He laughed boyishly. "I’ve never been as happy in my whole life!" *CHAPTER XXXIV*