Bob Story, agitated and solemn, came to him.
"Dink, this is awful—the whole thing is awful," he said earnestly. "You've got to talk it out with us."
"Do you understand, Bob," Stover said suddenly, "just what happened in this room?"
"Yes, I think I do."
"I don't believe it."
"Dink, I want you to listen to me a moment," said Le Baron. "It's been rotten business, the whole wretched thing. I can understand how you felt. Reynolds and you got on each other's nerves. You each said what you didn't mean. It was damned unfortunate. He put things to you like a fool, and I was telling him so when you broke into the room. He was all up on edge from something that had gone before."
"Oh, I lost my temper," said Stover. "I know it."
"I'd have done the same," said Hungerford openly.
"Now, Dink, there isn't one of us here that doesn't like you, and look up to you," said Story, with his irresistible charm. "We know you're every inch a man, and what you do you believe in. But, Dink, we're all friends together, and this is a terrible thing to us. We want you to take back your pin, and shut up this whole business. Will you?"
"I'd do a great deal for you, Bob Story," said Stover, looking him in the eyes, "more than for any one else, but I can't do this."