"The way of sin—why——"
Tom's brusque entrance interrupted her. With quick, firm decision he took her arm and led her to the door opening on the hall:
"Wait for me in your room, dear," he said quietly. "I have something to say to my father."
She looked at him timidly:
"You won't forget that he is your father, and loves you better than his own life?"
"I'll not forget."
She started with sudden alarm and whispered:
"You haven't got the pistol that you brought home to-day from the campaign, have you?"
"Surely, dear——"
"Give it to me!" she demanded.