"Yes, and that you're to be partner with Mr. Griffith—finish your bridge, and build that great dam you invented, and—and if you wish, be partner in some of papa's business."
"That's too much. I told him I'd be satisfied with the credit for my bridge truss."
"Only that? Surely you'll not give up the bridge?"
"Well, 't isn't fair to kick a man when he's down. Ashton will have a tough enough time of it, I guess, from what your father said. He's to be allowed to resign, on condition that he acknowledges that he borrowed my bridge truss."
"Borrowed?"
"Yes. It seems that his father is one of your father's particular friends. So that's all settled."
She looked at him with radiant eyes. "Tom! You're even bigger—more generous—than I had thought!"
"Don't!" he muttered, drawing back. "It makes it so much harder. You don't realize!"
"Don't I?" she whispered, the color mounting swiftly in her down-bent face. "That night—that fearful night, I—Tell me—has James explained how we searched for you?—everywhere, all those days! We telegraphed all over the country. James searched the city, and papa had all his private agents—Where did you go?"
"South."