If they take the house that way, they’ll have a stranglehold on me for the rest of my life till that bond is paid. I’d like to see them beaten if only just for that!”

The successful businessman studied Thurlow earnestly for a full second before he spoke, crisply, sharply.

“What’s your name?”

“Thurlow Reed.”

“What was your father’s name?”

“Joseph Reed. He was with the Carter Company for thirty years.”

“H’m! I thought so! You look like him. Well, Anne”—turning to his wife with a twisted smile on his face—“it’s all right. Go ahead with your purchase if it’s what you want. I know the house. That’s a bargain on that street! Who are those lawyers, Reed? Cook and Crowell? I thought so. I’ve had experience with them before. Anne, if you buy, get our lawyer to look into the papers and fix it up good and hard. Don’t let those crooks get by with murder or anything. And if you need me, get me long distance in Chicago tomorrow at noon. You know where. Good-bye! See you Saturday!”

The great man stooped and kissed his white-haired wife, swung into his overcoat, and was gone to the car that stood ready outside. Thurlow stood speechless, waiting, looking at the satisfied woman who smiled at him.

“When can I see the house?” she asked, as if she had no question in her mind about wanting to take it.

“Right away, as soon as you wish,” said Thurlow, trying to make his voice steady.

She glanced at her wristwatch.

“Now?” she said, looking up. “I have an engagement after dinner, but I’d like to get this thing fairly settled before I see the other club members.”

“Of course now!” said Thurlow, restraining himself from the desire to shout his joy. “I’m sorry I haven’t a car to take you in.”

“We have plenty of cars.” The lady smiled. “Martha”—to a maid who was moving quietly about the dining room on the other side of the hall—“tell Andrew to get the small car and take us on an errand. Tell him to hurry, please.”

The lady left Thurlow waiting in a daze of wonder while she got her wraps and was back just as the car came purring up to the door.

Just as easy as that, it was done. Thurlow couldn’t believe but that it would somehow fall through at the last. It was too good to be true. Probably when she saw it, she would have some fault to find with it, and that would be that! But while it lasted, the hope at least was great.

Chapter 3

Thurlow sat in the backseat with Mrs. Steele, who asked him intelligent questions all the way to the house. How large was the lot? How many rooms did the house have? What kind of heating and lighting? How many bathrooms? Was there a garage? He answered the rapid fire of questions as honestly as he could, and then suddenly they were at the house and he was taking Mrs. Steele up the front walk, hoping his mother had not waited dinner for him, hoping the house would be in its usual beautiful order.

But her son need not have worried. Mrs. Reed was always ready to be seen. Even in her working garb she had a sweet dignity about her. Also, the lady he was bringing was a thoroughbred. She met the other woman with a gracious informality that made them at once friendly.

“Are you one of our club members whom I ought to know but don’t?” asked Mrs. Steele with a friendly smile.

“No,” said Mrs.