Dick threw open the door, and without waiting for an invitation, Adam Goodrich stepped across the threshold. To say that Dick was astonished but faintly expressed his feelings, though not a muscle of his face quivered, as he said:
"Good evening, sir, what can I do for you?"
"You can do a good deal," said Adam. "But first lock that door; we want no visitors here to-night."
Without a word, Dick turned the key again.
"Now sir, I want to know first, is it true that you were with my daughter in the Ozark Mountains this summer? Don't try to lie to me this time. I'll have the truth or kill you."
"I have never lied to you, sir," answered Dick; "and have no desire to do so now. It is perfectly true I did meet you daughter last summer while on my vacation."
"I knew I was right," raved Adam. "I knew you led her away from home.
Oh, why did you ever come to this city? Why did I ever see you? Here."
And he frantically tore a check-book from his pocket. "Fill this out
for any amount you choose and go away again. Oh, I could kill you if
I dared. You have ruined me forever—you—"
"Stop sir," said Dick; and when Adam looked into his face, he saw again that nameless something which compelled him to obey.
"You have said quite enough," continued Dick, calmly, "and you are going to listen to me now. But first, I want to beg your pardon for the language I used when you called on me before."—He heard a slight rustle in the next room—"when you accused me of taking your daughter from her home; I told you that you were a liar. I beg your pardon now. I was excited. I know that you were only mistaken. You would not have listened to me then, nor believed me, had I told you what I knew. But the time has come when you shall listen, and be forced to know that I speak the truth."
Adam sat as though fascinated. Once he attempted to answer, but a quick "Silence, sir, you shall hear me," kept him still, while Dick detailed the whole story, omitting nothing from the evening when he had rescued Amy from her drunken escort, to the day he had said good-bye in the Ozark Mountains. When he had finished, the old gentleman sat silent for a moment.