David turned. For a moment he could not believe his eyes. He stood rigid in the paralysis of stupefaction. Then a cold perspiration started from every pore of his body. He sprang to Mrs. Braddock's side. She was even then peering down the street, a great fear in her heart, every fiber quivering with alarm. Colonel Grand was assisting his daughter to the sidewalk. Already he had lifted his hat and sent a nauseous smile to the woman above. David's gaze followed hers in quest of a more sinister actor who might even then be coming upon the scene for the tragic climax. The young man recognized the necessity for quick action. Colonel Grand, whatever his motive for appearing so unexpectedly at the Portman house, must be turned away without ceremony or consideration. At any minute Thomas Braddock might return. A tragedy would be the result; that was inevitable. David started down the steps, passing the rigid, staring woman at the top. He was vaguely aware of Roberta Grand's bow and of the look of annoyance in the Colonel's face. Half-way down he called out: "Colonel Grand, you must not stay here--not a second longer. I will explain if you will let me ride with you for a couple of blocks." Grand advanced. "Young man," he said coldly, "I am here to see Mrs. Braddock on a matter of importance. You will do well to subside." David flushed angrily. "But Mrs. Braddock does not care to see you. She--" Grand came on up the steps, ignoring Jenison, addressing himself to Mary Braddock. "I have come to discuss Tom with you, Mary," he said. She started at the use of her name, a hot wave of anger rushing over her. "Go away!" she cried, in low, intense tones. "How dare you come here, Colonel Grand? Go!" He stopped, raised his hat, shrugged his shoulders in a deprecating manner, and then quickly lifted his free hand to check the approach of the young man who was ominously near at hand. "I fancy it will be best for all concerned if we avoid tableaux. Still, I will go away if you see fit to send me--" "I do see fit! Go!" Roberta Grand was staring at the speaker from the bottom of the steps. "Don't haggle with her, father," she cried venomously. "Bring her to time!" "You have met my daughter, Mrs. Braddock?" said Grand in his most suave manner. "What are you looking at, Jenison?" he demanded, suddenly noting the young man's frozen stare, directed down the street. David passed his hand over his damp brow and turned to look helplessly into Mary Braddock's face. Tom Braddock was standing across the street at the corner below, clutching a lamp-post for support. He was staring with wide open eyes at the group on the steps. CHAPTER VII TOM BRADDOCK'S PROMISE She had seen Braddock turn the corner. Her eyes were closed now, as if to shut out the disaster that must rush down upon them in the next instant; her thrumming ears waited for the sound of running footsteps and the crack of a revolver. David started up the steps toward her.