Do you not think, Mr. Bill, that he will be
the gainer through my policy of keeping him in ignorance of my part in
the re-financing of his affairs--if he dare not be certain of victory
up to the last moment? Of course it would be perfectly splendid if he
could somehow manage to work out his own salvation, but of course, if
he is unable to do that his friends must do it for him. I think it
would be perfectly disgraceful to permit a Medal of Honor man to be
ruined, don't you, Mr. Bill?"
"Say, how long have you known this fellow Miguel?"
"Seventy-two hours, more or less."
He considered. "Your father's nerve has been pretty badly shaken by
the Jap's attempt to kill Miguel. He feels about that pretty much as a
dog does when he's caught sucking eggs. Why not work on your father
now while he's in an anti-Jap mood? You might catch him on the
rebound, so to speak. Take him over to La Questa valley some day this
week and show him a little Japan; show him what the San Gregorio will
look like within five years if he persists. Gosh, woman, you have some
influence with him haven't you?"
"Very little in business affairs, I fear."
"Well, you work on him, anyhow, and maybe he'll get religion and renew
Miguel's mortgage. Argue that point about giving a Medal of Honor man
another chance."
The girl shook her head. "It would be useless," she assured him. "He
has a curious business code and will not abandon it.
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