"He wants to ruin me—and he'll do it if he can. There's no telling what money will do. He squeezed Conrad Seemuller and made him a bankrupt. Seemuller drank himself to death. Jimmy Ott blew out his brains. Oh, don't be afraid—I'm not going to do either—I'm not going to be crushed like a worm. If he ruins me, he'll pay dear for the privilege. I'll drag him down with me, and he'll drop farther than I will. I wanted to keep things quiet—but I won't any longer. I'll tell the world my story—his story, and let the world judge between us."
He tramped up and down the floor like a madman until Camilla interposed and led him to a divan. He followed her like a child and let her sit beside him while she questioned him as to what had happened. Jeff had looked for sanctuary, and he had found it at last. The other people in the house did not disturb them, and they sat for a long time alone, exchanging the confidences which had been so long delayed; but they were none the less sweet on that account. Late in the afternoon Camilla questioned Jeff again about the happenings of the morning. Rita Cheyne's part in the situation did not surprise her. She knew that Rita had heard everything and had decided to continue to play the game with Fate in Jeff's behalf. But she did not tell Jeff so. When he questioned her she told him what had happened at the Kinney House after he had left.
"Oh, Jeff, I don't know how I could have misjudged you so. Rita opened my eyes—why she chose to do it, I don't know. She's a strange woman—I can't quite make her out even now. She's half angel, half vixen, but I'll never forget her—never!" Camilla put her hand over Jeff's suddenly. "That money—Jeff—you must pay her back that money—if you have to sell the mine."
"I can't sell the mine—not now. It would clean me out."
"I don't care," she pleaded. "I don't want money. It has brought nothing but unhappiness to either of us. I want to begin all over again. I've learned my lesson. I look back to the old days and wonder what I could have been dreaming of. I've seen all I want of the world. Happiness belongs in the heart—no amount of money can buy it a place there. I want to be poor again—with you. Give him—give General Bent what he wants, Jeff—that will satisfy him, won't it? Please, Jeff, for my sake! Sell out the smelter and the mine——"
"Never!" Jeff's jaw set, and he rose, putting her aside almost roughly.
"I'll never give them up while I've an ounce of blood to fight!"
His tongue faltered and was silent. Camilla followed his startled gaze through the open window at an automobile, from the tonneau of which a man hurriedly descended.
"What can it mean?" Jeff was asking as though to himself. "Cort Bent! What does he want?"
"It's very curious," Camilla said slowly. "To see you——"