"Then why take advantage of her gratitude? She gives everything to you, father, and you treat her in a way--faugh," Allen swept the air with his arm, as though to banish the subject. "Let us say no more on that point. But I have come up here to get to the bottom of this affair, father, and I don't leave this place till I know all." Hill tried to straighten himself. "You forget I am your father," he said, with an attempt at dignity. "No; I do not forget. Because you are my father I wish to help you out of this trouble, whatever it is. I can save you from being accused of Strode's murder, but the other thing----" "I never said there was anything else," said Hill quickly. "Yes, you did, Lawrence," said Mask. "I have taken a note of it." "Oh," whimpered Hill, "if you turn against me too---" "Neither one of us intend to turn against you," said Allen in deep disgust, for the man was more like a jelly-fish than ever, and constantly evaded all attempts to bring him to the point. "For heaven's sake, father, summon up your manhood and let us know the worst!" "I won't be spoken to in this way," stuttered Hill, growing red. Allen made one stride forward, and looked down from his tall height at the crouching figure in the chair--the figure in its shameful disguise, with the white face and wild eyes. "You shall be spoken to in a perfectly quiet way," he said calmly, although inwardly agitated, "but you shall do what you are told. I have put up with this state of things long enough. In future, my mother shall govern the house, and you shall come back to it to indulge in whatever whims you like within reason. But master you shall not be." "Who will prevent me?" said Hill, trying to bluster. "I shall," said Allen decisively; "you are not fit to manage your own affairs or to rule a house. If you come back--as you shall--my mother, who loves you, will do all she can to make you happy. I also, as your son, will give you all respect due to a father." "You're doing so now, I think," sneered Hill, very white. "God help me, what else can I do?" cried Allen, restraining himself by a violent effort; "if you could see yourself you would know what it costs me to speak to you like this. But, for your own sake, for my mother's sake, for my own, I must take the upper hand." Hill leaped panting from his seat. "You dare!----" "Sit down," said his son imperiously, and pushed him back in his chair; "yes, I dare, father. As you are not responsible, I shall deal with you as I think is for your good. I know how to deal with men," said Allen, looking very tall and very strong, "and so I shall deal with you." "You forget," panted Hill, with dry lips, "I have the money." "I forget nothing. I shall have a commission of lunacy taken out against you and the money matters shall be arranged----" "Oh," Hill burst into tears, and turned to the quiet, observant Mask, "can you sit and hear all this?" "I think your son is right, Lawrence."