She stepped a pace nearer him. "You must not! You must not!" she cried.
His jaw tightened and his brows drew together. "I shall!—you hear me?"
"But, father—it isn't your secret. You haven't the right."
"I have the right to protect my own daughter and myself!"
"But to destroy others?" she implored. "You know it will ruin hundreds. Have you the right to do that?"
"A man's first duty is to those nearest him."
"But don't you see?—you destroy hundreds to save yourself, and me!"
"You have my answer," he said.
She looked at him despairingly. "Then nothing can stop you?"
"Nothing." His face was firm, his voice hard. "And now, Helen, I'm going," he said shortly. "There's nothing more to be said."