What mattered the means?—there was but one great thing. And the great things must outweigh the small. He was a man of power. He had been born for success. He was—
VI
He stood, half in the shadow, hesitant. Then he heard other feet approaching him slowly. His wife, Virginia, came and took him by the arm and had him within the door; closed it back of him; and, leaving him, advanced to where Halsey stood. She took Halsey by the hand.... It seemed a singular thing to Rawn, this performance; in fact, almost improper, if the truth were known.... So it seemed to John Rawn's mind, a trifle clouded with distress and drink.
"Well," said she apathetically; and held her peace as he frowned and looked at her dumbly.
"Well!" he broke out at last; "I'm back again!— You're here, I see." This last to Halsey.
They two stood and regarded him without comment. Halsey kept his eye on Rawn's hand, expecting some sudden movement for a weapon. He was incredulous that any man could sustain Rawn's attitude toward him. War, and nothing but war, seemed inevitable between himself and Rawn, the man whom he had wronged, the man who had wronged him.
"I suppose—I see—" began Rawn clumsily, after a while. "Of course, you have probably been here all the time, Charley. I came back as soon as I could. I've been having all kinds of trouble in St. Louis and New York. Everything's all gone to pieces."
They did not answer him, and he shuffled.
"Have you anything to say?" he demanded of his wife; "Has Mr. Halsey—Charley—agreed?—Have you persuaded him to—"
"You wish to know, whether I have done what I was told to do—is that it?" she demanded of him coldly.