Alicia, who had been listening with varied emotions to the conversation, now interrupted timidly: "Perhaps Judge Brewster is right, dear. After all, the girl is working to save your son. Public opinion may think it unnatural----" The banker turned on his wife. Sternly he said: "Alicia, I cannot permit you to interfere. That young man is a self-confessed murderer and therefore no son of mine. I've done with him long ago. I cannot be moved by maudlin sentimentality. Please let that be final." Turning to the lawyer, he said coldly: "So, in the matter of this stage business, you can take no steps to restrain her?" The lawyer shook his head. "No, there is nothing I can do." Quickly he added: "Of course, you don't doubt my loyalty to you?" Mr. Jeffries shook his head. "No, no, Brewster." The lawyer laughed as he said: "Right or wrong, you know--'my country'--that is, my client--''tis of thee.'" Turning to Alicia, he added laughingly: "That's the painful part of a lawyer's profession, Mrs. Jeffries. The client's weakness is the lawyer's strength. When men hate each other and rob each other we lawyers don't pacify them. We dare not, because that is our profession. We encourage them. We pit them against each other for profit. If we didn't they'd go to some lawyer who would." Alicia gave a feeble smile. "Yes," she replied; "I'm afraid we all love to be advised to do what we want to do." Mr. Jeffries made an impatient gesture of dissent. Scoffingly he remarked: "That may apply to the great generality of people, but not to me." Judge Brewster looked skeptical, but made no further comment. The banker rose and Alicia followed suit. As he moved toward the door, he turned and said: "Drop in and see me this evening, Brewster. Mrs. Jeffries will be delighted if you will dine with us." Alicia smiled graciously. "Do come, judge; we shall be all alone." The lawyer bent low over her hand as he said good-by. Mr. Jeffries had already reached the door, when he turned again and said: "Are you sure a very liberal offer wouldn't induce her to drop the name?" The lawyer shook his head doubtfully. "Well, see what you can do," cried the banker. To his wife he said: "Are you coming, Alicia?" "Just a moment, dear," she replied. "I want to say a word to the judge." "All right," replied the banker. "I'll be outside." He opened the door, and as he did so he turned to the lawyer: "If there are any new developments let me know at once."