"Gee whiz!" murmured Eddie, his eyes wide with interest. From that day on he and Bobby Rigby were allies--even conspirators.
Later in the day Rigby had a telephone message from Graydon Bansemer, suggesting that they lunch together. All he would say over the wire was that he would some day soon expect Rigby to perform a happy service for him. Bobby understood and was troubled, He suspected that Graydon had asked Jane Cable to marry him and that she had consented. He loved Graydon Bansemer, but for the first time in their acquaintance he found himself wondering if the son were not playing into the father's hands in this most desirable matrimonial venture. With a shudder of repugnance he put the thought from him, loyal to that good friend and comrade.
James Bansemer came into his office late that morning. He had not seen Graydon the night before, but at breakfast the young man announced his good fortune and asked for his blessing. To the son's surprise, the elder man did not at once express his approval. For a long time he sat silent and preoccupied to all appearance, narrowly studying his son's face until the young man was constrained to laugh in his nervousness.
"You love her--you are very sure?" asked the father at last.
"Better than my life," cried Graydon warmly.
"She has good blood in her," said Bansemer, senior, slowly, almost absently.
"I should say so. Her father is a wonderful man."
"Yes, I daresay," agreed the other without taking his eyes from the son's face.
"But you don't say whether you approve or disapprove," complained Graydon.
"Would it change matters if I disapproved?"
"Not in the least, father. I love her. I'd hate to displease you in--"
"Then, of course, I approve," said the other, with his warmest smile. "Jane is a beauty and--I am proud of her."
"She is too good for me," lamented Graydon happily.
"I can't very well contradict her future husband," said the lawyer. There was a hungry look in his eyes as he glanced from time to time at the face of the boy who had his mother's unforgettable eyes.
A messenger brought Mrs. Cable's note to Bansemer soon after his arrival at the office. He and Elias Droom were in the back office when the boy came. They had been discussing the contents of a letter that came in the early mail. The lawyer accepted the note and dismissed the boy with the curt remark that he would telephone an answer in person.
"It looks to me as though this is going to be a rather ticklish affair," Droom resumed after the boy had closed the outer door behind him. Bansemer's mind was on Mrs. Cable's note; a queer smile hung on his lips.