He has terrorized our woods-men for a long time. He's king of
the mad-train, you know."
Bryce was relieved. His father did not know, then, of the act of
vandalism in the Valley of the Giants. This fact strengthened Bryce's
resolve not to tell him--also to get the fallen monarch sawed up and
the stump blasted out before an operation should restore his father's
sight and reveal to him the crowning cruelty of his enemy.
Arm in arm they walked up the garden path together.
Just as they entered the house, the telephone in the hall tinkled,
and Bryce answered.
"Mr. Cardigan," came Shirley Sumner's voice over the wire.
"Bryce," he corrected her.
She ignored the correction,
"I--I don't know what to say to you," she faltered.
"There is no necessity for saying anything, Shirley."
"But you saved our lives, and at least have a right to expect due and
grateful acknowledgment of our debt. I rang up to tell you how
splendid and heroic your action was--"
"I had my own life to save, Shirley."
"You did not think of that at the time."
"Well--I didn't think of your uncle's, either," he replied without
enthusiasm.
"I'm sure we never can hope to catch even with you, Mr. Cardigan."
"Don't try. Your revered relative will not; so why should you?"
"You are making it somewhat hard for me to--to--rehabilitate our
friendship, Mr.
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