“At an advance of five per cent., father.”
“Certainly not. It's your stock, bought and paid for—”
The stubborn look on Mr. Leigh's face made Tommy interrupt sternly:
“Yes, but paid for with what money?”
The old man started. He seemed suddenly to remember something now for the first time. He waved his hand as though he were brushing away an annoying insect. Then he said, firmly:
“Willetts got his money. It was arranged that the stock would be transferred to whatever name I gave him. He didn't give the money to you. I gave it to him—a hundred and eighty thousand dollars, as I had agreed.”
Tommy was so sure now that he was right in all he had surmised that his own resolutions came back to him.. He looked at his father steadily and forgivingly. What he had planned to do must be done. The secret must become public property. Then the agony would be ended.
“I understand perfectly, dad; but it makes a difference where the money came from.”
“It came from your father,” retorted Mr. Leigh, sternly.
“Yes, I know all that. But where did my father get it?” said Tommy, patiently.