Tod started eagerly forward. That was just what he wanted to know. Quickly he said:
"So it was Cooley's idea, eh? Of course, that changes the aspect of things. If that is so, mother, I think you may reconsider——"
"How dare you suggest such a thing?" exclaimed Mrs. Marsh indignantly.
"Everything I've done," went on Jimmy tearfully, "I've done for your sake— I acted for the best. It's the most ungrateful piece of business——"
"But you said it was Cooley's idea," interrupted Tod impatiently. "Where does he come in?"
"He gets half—half of everything," replied the other.
"Oh, he divides the estate with you, does he?"
"It was his idea from the very beginning," went on Jimmy. "I only wanted my share of my brother's property. I'm entitled to that. Cooley urged me on—and on—until at last we'd gone too far."
"Oh, Tod!" exclaimed Mrs. Marsh, in dismay; "it's worse than I thought——"
Sinking down on a chair she looked helplessly at the two men.