h to promote just that state of affairs," returned the
lawyer sententiously.

"Undoubtedly," said Ames. "But I find the Catholic Church
convenient--indeed, necessary--for the promotion of certain plans. And
so I use it. The Colombian revolution, for example. But I shall
abruptly sever my relations with that institution some day--when I am
through with it. At present I am milking the Church to the extent of a
brimming pail every year; and as long as the udder is full and
accessible I shall continue to tap it. I tapped the Presbyterian
Church, through Borwell, last year, if you remember."

Willett, chief secretary to Ames, entered at that moment with the
morning mail, opened and sorted, and replies written to letters of
such nature as he could attend to without suggestions from his chief.

"By the way," remarked Hood when he saw the letters, "I had word from
Collins this morning that he had secured a signed statement from that
fellow Marcus, who was crushed in the Avon mills yesterday. Marcus
accepted the medical services of our physicians, and died in our
hospital. Just before he went off, his wife accepted a settlement of
one hundred dollars. Looked big to her, I guess, and was a bird in the
hand. So that matter's settled."

"That reminds me," said Ames, looking up from his mail; "we are going
to close the mills earlier this year on account of the cotton
shortage."

Hood gave a low whistle. "That spells trouble, in capital letters!" he
commented. "Four thousand hands idle for three months, I suppose. By
George! we just escaped disaster last year, you remember."

"It will be more than three months this time," commented Ames with a
knowing look. Then--"Hood, I verily believe you are a coward."

"Well, Mr. Ames," replied the latter slowly, "I certainly would
hesitate to do some of the things you do. Yet you seem to get away
with them."

"Perk up, Hood," laughed Ames. "I've got real work for you as soon as
I get control of C. and R. I'm going to put you in as president, at a
salary of one hundred thousand per annum. Then you are going to buy
the road for me for about two million dollars, and I'll reorganize and
sell to the stockholders for five millions, still retaining control.
The road is only a scrap heap, but its control is the first step
toward the amalgamation of the trolley interests of New England. Laws
are going to be violated, Hood, both in actual letter and in spirit.
But that's your end of the business