“I am the accuser,” and the face of the millionaire grew white. “I call him a rascal.” “Upon what grounds?” “He tried to blackmail me.” “Mr. Richmond?” “Yes, sir. That man came here but a few days ago and wanted to rob me of ten thousand dollars.” “Impossible!” cried Claude, feigning astonishment. “It is true, and what is more, he hinted that you had committed a great crime.” “Come, come; you must have been dreaming.” “I was as wide awake then as I am now.” Lamont, senior, smiled knowingly. “You must drop this black bird.” “I am of age and have the right to choose my friends,” was his son’s answer. “Then keep him and yourself in the future.” The young man gazed at his father in wide-open astonishment. “You certainly don’t mean that,” he said. “I do. He is your friend, you say. Keep him and yourself. I guess that’s plain.” Claude Lamont arose and crossed the room. “You don’t know what you do,” he cried. “I know what I do. It is either lose this friend, as you call him, or lose your fortune.” “He never tried to blackmail you.” “He did!” thundered the nabob. “In this very room he wanted to sell the so-called secret for ten thousand dollars. I drove him away. I wouldn’t have anything to do with the scoundrel. But it seems you do. You are with him night and day, and you are old enough to know that you can’t play with pitch and not become defiled.” Claude smiled derisively at this, and for a moment was silent. “Look here,” he suddenly said, “I can’t give this man up. He knows too much.” “What’s that?” cried Lamont, senior. “Do you admit that you are in his power?” “I didn’t say so. I only remarked that I can’t throw him to one side. He knows too much.” “Against whom?” “Against the house.” “It cannot be.” “I’m afraid it’s true. This man is my friend, and I have been keeping near him for a purpose, and that purpose the salvation of the good name of Lamont.” A strange and eager light seemed to come into the millionaire’s eyes, and for half a second he did not continue. “Sit down,” he said. “Tell me what this man knows.” Claude went back to the chair. “He knows a good deal more than we can afford to let him tell,” he said. “I don’t say that Richmond will tell the secret on the street or anything of that kind, but we can’t afford to let him have the opportunity.” “In God’s name, what is the secret?” “Of course he never told me, but I only guess at it from hints he has dropped while in his cups. It’s a terrible thing, if it’s true--a fearful secret, father.” “Out with it. I am strong, you see, and can listen to any recital you make.” Claude crossed the room, and looked cautiously into the hall. No one was there. Coming back, he resumed his seat in the chair and looked at the white-faced man opposite. “Whatever became of Aunt Hester?” he asked. The expression that came into Perry Lamont’s face was most startling. Every vestige of color left it, and it became as white as a marble statue.