He broke upon the embrace with a threatening stick.
The pair separated, the young lover facing him, proud, erect, defiant, the girl drooping and confused.
The father discharged Merton Gill with great brutality, then went to the safe at the back of the room, returning to shout the news that he had been robbed by the man who would have robbed him of his daughter.

It looked black for Merton.

Puzzled at first, he now saw that the idolized brother of the girl must have taken the money.

He seemed about to declare this when his nobler nature compelled him to a silence that must be taken for guilt.
The erring brother returned, accompanied by several customers.

"Bring a detective to arrest this man," ordered the father.