“I am willing to risk it,” said Mr. Denton, solemnly.  “It is the best a man can do to follow his conscience.”

“But there are duties to one’s family that must be considered,” urged Mr. Forbes.  “A man cannot rightfully ignore the fact that he is of the earth, earthy, and that there is something tangible needed before we soar into the mysteries.”

“He must ignore nothing,” said Mr. Denton, gravely, “but, as I said before, he must follow his conscience.”

“Well, I should like to stay with you, but I cannot do it,” said Mr. Forbes, “for, while I sympathize with your feelings in many respects, yet I cannot indorse your unbusiness-like actions.  If you think my interest here is worth fifty thousand dollars, you can give me that amount, and I will go—­then you will be free to spend your fortune according to any freak of your fancy.”

“You are more just in your dealings than I expected,” said Mr. Denton, flushing a little.  “After my experience with Mr. Day, I did not look for any mercy.”

“Oh, I have a conscience, too,” said Mr. Forbes, grimly, “and while I did not know it until lately, it has made me very uncomfortable, I can assure you.”

There was a genuine ring in his voice as he spoke, and as Mr. Denton detected it, he rose and placed his hand upon his shoulder.

“Better stay with me, brother, and let us work together,” he said gently.  “In the vineyard of the Master there can be no unrewarded labor.”

Mr. Forbes shook his head and turned away.

“We can attend to the legal details some other time,” he said briefly.  “You are busy to-day, so I will not detain you.”

Mr. Denton sat down at his desk again, and as the door closed behind his partner he bowed his head upon his bosom.

“Alone and yet not alone,” he whispered softly.  “God grant me strength to do my duty, and if my lot is failure, let me accept it bravely.  It is all a man can do.  He must follow his conscience.”

The door opened again, and Faith Marvin entered.  She had her hat on, and was ready for the visit to Maggie Brady.

“I wonder what she wishes to see me for?” said her employer, musingly.  “Is she desirous of upbraiding me, do you think, Miss Marvin?”

“Why should she upbraid you?” asked Faith, very soberly.  “You certainly are not to blame for the actions of your son, and as for her arrest, you simply had to do it.”

“She may say that I should have protected her from him,” he answered.  “Some way I blame myself continually in that particular direction.”

“A girl should be able to protect herself,” said Faith sternly.  “I can’t quite understand such weakness in women, unless it is, as poor Miss Jennings used to say, ’the iniquities of the fathers visited upon generations of the innocent.’”

“I believe that fully,” said Mr. Denton with a sigh.  “It is one reason why I am merciful in my own boy’s case—­my sins have been perpetuated!  Can I ever efface them?”