There was a moment’s silence. To assure himself the others had heard as he did, Mr. Hallowell glanced quickly from Winthrop to Gaylor. He half rose from his chair and leaned across the table.
“What!” he demanded. His niece looked at him steadily.
“You heard what I said,” she answered.
The old man leaned farther forward.
“So!” he cried; “so! I am not only doing you an injustice, but I am a thief! Mr. Winthrop,” he cried appealingly, “do you appreciate the seriousness of this?”
Winthrop nodded cheerfully. “It’s certainly pretty serious,” he assented.
“It is so serious,” cried Mr. Hallowell, “that I welcome you into this matter. Now, we will settle it once and forever.” He turned to his niece. “I have tried to be generous,” he cried; “I have tried to be kind, and you insult me in my own house.” He pressed the button that summoned the butler from the floor below. “Gentlemen, this interview is at an end. From now on this matter is in the hands of my lawyer. We will settle this in the courts.”
With an exclamation of pleasure that was an acceptance of his challenge, Miss Coates rose.
“That is satisfactory to me,” she said. Winthrop turned to Mr. Hallowell.
“Could I have a few minutes talk with Judge Gaylor now?” he asked. “Not as anybody’s counsel,” he explained; “just as an old enemy of his?”