“I shall be on my guard, Mr. Ford,” answered Grant. “I believe you capable of it.”
“Don't you think you had better leave us, sir?” said Miss Stone.
“I shall take my own time about going,” he answered, impudently.
But his words were heard by Dr. Stone, who had returned sooner than he anticipated, and was already at the door of the room. He was a powerful man, and of quick temper. His answer was to seize Ford by the collar and fling him downstairs.
“This will teach you to be more polite to a lady,” he said. “Now, what does all this mean, and who is this man?”
The explanation was given.
“I wish I had been here before,” said the doctor.
“You were in good time,” said Grant, smiling. “I see that Herbert has found powerful friends.”
Willis Ford, angry and humiliated, picked himself up, but did not venture to return to the room he had left so ignominiously. Like most bullies, he was a coward, and he did not care to encounter the doctor again.
Within an hour, Grant telegraphed to the broker at his office: “I have found Herbert, and will start for New York with him to-morrow.” Mr. Reynolds had only just returned from his fruitless Southern expedition, weary and dispirited. But he forgot all his fatigue when he read this message. “God bless Grant Thornton!” he ejaculated.