Part 27 (1/2)

”Are you sure a very liberal offer wouldn't induce her to drop the name?”

The lawyer shook his head doubtfully.

”Well, see what you can do,” cried the banker. To his wife he said: ”Are you coming, Alicia?”

”Just a moment, dear,” she replied. ”I want to say a word to the judge.”

”All right,” replied the banker. ”I'll be outside.” He opened the door, and as he did so he turned to the lawyer:

”If there are any new developments let me know at once.”

He left the office and Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. She did not love her husband, but she feared him. He was not only twenty years her senior, but his cold, aristocratic manner intimidated her. Her first impulse had been to tell him everything, but she dare not. His manner discouraged her. He would begin to ask questions, questions which she could not answer without seriously incriminating herself. But her conscience would not allow her to stand entirely aloof from the tragedy in which her husband's scapegrace son was involved. She felt a strange, unaccountable desire to meet this girl Howard had married. In a quick undertone to the lawyer, she said:

”I must see that woman, judge. I think I can persuade her to change her course of action. In any case I must see her, I must----” Looking at him questioningly, she said: ”You don't think it inadvisable, do you?”

The judge smiled grimly.

”I think I'd better see her first,” he said. ”Suppose you come back a little later. It's more than probable that she'll be here this afternoon. I'll see her and arrange for an interview.”

There was a knock at the door, and Alicia started guiltily, thinking her husband might have overheard their conversation. The head clerk entered and whispered something to the judge, after which he retired. The lawyer turned to Alicia with a smile.

”It's just as I thought,” he said pleasantly, ”she's out there now.

You'd better go and leave her to me.”

The door opened again unceremoniously, and Mr. Jeffries put in his head:

”Aren't you coming, Alicia?” he demanded impatiently. In a lower voice to the lawyer, he added: ”Say, Brewster, that woman is outside in your office. Now is your opportunity to come to some arrangement with her.”

Again Mrs. Jeffries held out her hand.

”Good-by, judge; you're so kind! It needs a lot of patience to be a lawyer, doesn't it?”

Judge Brewster laughed, and added in an undertone:

”Come back by and by.”

The door closed, and the lawyer went back to his desk. For a few moments he sat still plunged in deep thought. Suddenly, he touched a bell. The head clerk entered.

”Show Mrs. Howard Jeffries, Jr., in.”

The clerk looked surprised. Strict orders. .h.i.therto had been to show the unwelcome visitor out. He believed that he had not heard aright.

”Did you say Mrs. Jeffries, Jr., judge?”

”I said Mrs. Jeffries, Jr.,” replied the lawyer grimly.

”Very well, judge,” said the clerk, as he left the room.

Presently there was a timid knock at the door.