"'I'd rather walk along with you, Cousin Esper,' said Estes. 'Jump in, Mr. Crawfurd, and we'll pick you up later at the club.'
"Crawfurd nodded and was forthwith driven away. I turned to Estes.
"'What is it, George?' I asked. 'Remember, there's Elizabeth to be considered in this.'
"Now, while Estes is a second cousin of mine, 'Betty' Catherwood is my niece, and so I considered that I had a double right to stick in my oar. But I wasn't prepared for the depth of trouble that I encountered in the glance George Estes turned on me. 'So bad as that!' I finished, lamely.
"'It won't take long in the telling,' began the boy, desperately. 'You remember that after I left Princeton I went to Germany for a two years' course in international law under Langlotz; it was a pet idea of the pater's.'
"I nodded.
"'Well, we all make fools of ourselves at one time or another, and here is where I donned the cap and bells. You have heard'—here he lowered his voice—'of the "Dawn."'
"'The revolutionary society?'
"'Yes; it's the active branch of the "Sunrise League"—the practical work, you know. I joined it.'
"I had nothing to say. George laughed a little dismally and went on: