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"Good Lord," gasped Graydon, helplessly pushing the oysters away "Why are you telling ood dinner story The joke coht and went home with their arms about one another By the way, Graydon, what do you hear from your father?"

Graydon looked uncomfortably at Jane, whose face was set with distress

"Elias, you've got no right to--" began the youngyour pardon if I've offended," said Drooive me I was interested, that is all"

"Itthis afternoon He says there is a movement on foot to secure a pardon for father Father hasn't asked anyone to intercede It is known that he will go to England to live as soon as he is released That's an inducement, you see," he said bitterly

Droom's face turned a frozen white; his steely eyes took on a peculiar glaze, and his hand grasped his leg as if it were a vise intended to hold him in his chair

"I haven't told you about it, Jane," went on Graydon "Mr Clegg has seen father and he says he is indifferent about it He intends to leave the country in any event I a him to let them apply for the pardon Itis sure he can get his release--what's the matter, Elias?"

The old clerk's body had stiffened and the look in his face was so horrible to behold Terror was visible in every lineament His cohty effort the olda semblance of self-control His body relaxed, and his jaw dropped; his voice was trerin on his face

"Nothing--nothing at all A momentary pain Don't mind me Don't mind me," he mumbled "I have the, Graydon? Oh, yes, the pardon I-I hope you'llto your father Tell him I hope to--to see him if he comes to New York"

"I don't believe he likes you, Elias," said Graydon, half jestingly

"Wha--what has he said to you?" de Jane and rin was et how he looked at you, Mr Droom," said Jane with a shudder Droom trembled with a new spasm of fear