"Father, are you—are you afraid of these charges?" His father laughed shortly and extended his hand to the young man.
"Don't worry about me. They can't down James Bansemer. You may leave Chicago; I'll stay! Goodbye, Graydon!"
"Good-bye, dad!"
They shook hands without flinching and the young man left the room. On the threshold the father called after him:
"Where do you expect to go?"
"I don't know!"
Droom was talking to a youth who held a notebook in his hand and who appeared frightened and embarrassed. Graydon shook hands with the old man. Droom followed him into the hall.
"If you ever need a friend, Graydon," he said in a low voice, "call on me. If I'm not in jail, I'll help you."
Half an hour later Graydon rang the Cables' doorbell.
"Miss Jane is not seeing anyone to-day, sir," said the servant.