He was lost in reflection for a moment, then he said pompously:
"I shall furnish the money for the employment of such legal talent as may be necessary. That's as far as I wish to go in the case. It must not be known—I cannot allow it to be known that I am helping him."
"Must not be known?" cried Annie in astonishment. "You mean you won't stand by him? You'll only just pay for the lawyer?"
The banker nodded:
"That is all I can promise."
She laughed hysterically.
"Why," she exclaimed, "I—I could do that myself if I—I tried hard enough."
"I can promise nothing more," replied Mr. Jeffries coldly.
"But that is not enough," she protested. "I want you to come forward and publicly declare your belief in your son's innocence. I want you to put your arms around him and say to the world: 'My boy is innocent! I know it and I'm going to stand by him.' You won't do that?"
Mr. Jeffries shook his head.