s ago to-night there was a certain notable meeting in the
town hall."

"And now there's one in the corner. We've come down in the world," put
in Dibbott.

"Possibly, but possibly not. I was just thinking of all that has
happened in seven years. It should prevent us from getting rattled."
The mayor turned to Bowers, "Seen Clark to-day?"

"Haven't seen or heard of him for three days," answered the lawyer
shortly--then, because he wanted to avoid being pumped, "good
night--I'm for my blameless couch."

They looked after him and at each other. "Seen Belding?" asked Dibbott
of the judge.

"No, he's down in Chicago. I think he's buying machinery. Now it's
late and if I don't go home too, I'll get into trouble." He turned
towards the old house by the river, and halted a few steps off. "Good
night, you fellows, I feel better."

Thus it came that while a brooding, gray eyed man paced his terrace
with his eyes fixed on the far white line of the rapids, whose call was
indistinguishable at this distance, there was spreading almost under
the shadow of the works a novel spirit of confidence in himself and his
vast enterprise. It was not till a sudden question arose, that St.
Marys realized the prodigious meaning of their new city and how
lavishly all Clark's promises had been redeemed. In the hour of
anxiety they leaned on him more than ever before. This new birth--this
upholding trust--was conceived at the very moment when Wimperley and
the others were gathered in harassed counsel, and through Philadelphia
and the surrounding state was broadening a dark cloud of rumor that
carried swift fear to thousands of hearts. But it was not fear that
came to the keen brain of Henry Marsham.

By eleven that night Clark had heard nothing from his head office. The
strain became too great, and he went into a little room off the library
where an extension of the private wire had been carried up from the
works. There was once a time when he could send and receive in the
Morse code, so now he sat down and laid a somewhat uncertain finger on
the tilting key.

"Phil -- Phil -- Phil."

Instantly and to his surprise, came the reply.

"Sma -- Sma -- Sma."

"Is -- Wimp -- there?" The thing began to come a little easier.

"Yes."

"Tell -- Wimp -- I -- want -- answer -- funds -- for -- payroll."

Clark got this off laboriously, conscious that however clear might be
the message, the wire was a poor transmitter as compared to