expected that Allen would refuse to take him seriously when he cast him adrift.  They had quarrelled before and nothing had come of it, so he had no reason to think that this would be any exception.  He knew the boy’s tastes, and while blaming him for his extravagances, he was proud to have him “live like a gentleman.”  Even with the income assured from the position given him by Mr. Gorham, Sanford knew how small it must be compared with the allowance which Allen had previously received; and he suffered over again the privations of his own youth while thinking of the self-denials which his son must be obliged to practise.  Picturing him living in a hall bedroom of meagre proportions, taking his meals at cheap restaurants and generally resorting to those economies common to ambitious youth fighting its battle against the world, the father would many times have sent him a substantial check if he could have made sure that the source would remain unknown.

Yet he insisted to himself that Allen must come to him.  He would respond to Gorham’s letter to the extent of going to New York and discussing the matter, but he refused to admit any possibility of a reconciliation unless the overtures came from the boy himself.  As he hastened to arrange matters for his departure, he muttered imprecations against him with the same breath that drew an unquestioned joy from the thought that a sight of him was near at hand; and no idea entered his mind other than to reach New York at the earliest possible moment.

Covington was surprised that the blow did not fall upon him immediately after the meeting of the committee adjourned.  He was ignorant of the exact contents of the papers handed to Gorham by Litchfield, but they could scarcely fail to give his chief all the information necessary to show his connection with the transaction, and he knew well how great would be Gorham’s resentment.  Yet no mention was made of the matter during the few minutes which remained of the business day after the others had taken their departure.  There were two or three routine matters which Gorham turned over to him, with a few words of comment, then he said good-night and left the office.  Could it be that something still intervened to keep the real facts covered up?

All doubts were removed the following morning.  Gorham sent for him to come to his office, and when he appeared he found that Brady was also present.  Covington seemed not to recognize him, but Brady’s face assumed a significant and satisfied expression.

“Mr. Brady has been good enough to respond to my request,” Gorham began, “and is here to supply me with fuller details concerning the matter which was brought up at the meeting of the committee yesterday.  As it interests you even more than it does me, I have asked you to be present during our interview.”

Covington seated himself in silence.

“Now, Mr. Brady,” Gorham continued, “I understand that you made a statement to Mr. Litchfield to the effect that I had personally secured some of the stock in the New York Street Railways Company, with a view to profiting by the advance in price made inevitable by its proposed merger into the Manhattan Traction Company, of which I was cognizant at the time.”