“That I am going to win?” he smiled gravely.
“That you must be enemies; that he came here to ruin you, since you say he did.”
“You need not be too hard on him for that. By his code I am a freebooter and a highwayman. Business offers legitimate ways of robbery, and I transgress them. His ways are not my ways, and mine are not his, but it is only fair to say that his are the accepted ones.”
“I don’t understand it at all. You are both good men. I know you are. Surely you need not be enemies.”
But she knew she could hope for no reassurance from the man beside her.
Presently she led him back across the big room to the fireplace near where her husband lay. His secretary had gone, and he was lying resting on the lounge. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Has Mr. Ridgway been pointing out to you the places of interest?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, dear.” The last word came hesitantly after the slightest of pauses. “He says he must be going now.”
The head of the greatest trust on earth got to his feet and smiled benignantly as he shook hands with the departing guest. “I shall hope to see you very soon and have a talk regarding business, Mr. Ridgway,” he said.
“Whenever you like, Mr. Harley.” To the girl he said merely, “Good night,” and was gone.
The old man put an arm affectionately across his young wife’s shoulder.