"He wanted you to think that—that Armstrong had robbed your father. He'd been working a long time to make you believe that. When you were in Evansville at Christmas, Williams said something that was meant to be overheard by you—"
He lifted his glance to Dorothy. What he read in her eyes caused the words to falter on his lips, brought a slow, deep tide of color into his face. He came to his feet and went stumblingly out of the office; nor was his departure stayed.
When the door had closed, Armstrong rose and went to Dorothy's side.
"Lady!" he said softly. She raised her face to him.
"Reese—can you forgive me?"
A happy laugh shook him as his arm went about her shoulders.
"Dear lady—forget everything but our gladness! Everything's won, but the best of all is that I've won you back. Nothing else matters now; Macgowan, all the rest of it!"
She was silent a long moment, trembling against him, blinded with quick tears of joy. Then, suddenly, she moved.
"Dear—is it true? That everything is won, and the fight over?"
"I think so," he said gravely. "Yes."