Oh, doubtless. He knows most about the formation of the defunct
Simiti company."

"Well, see him and--you say he's young, and got a wife and baby? Offer
him twenty-five thousand to quit the case."

"I'm afraid it wouldn't do, sir," returned Hood, shaking his head
dubiously. "I've had men talking with him regarding the trial, and
he--"

"Then get him over here. I'll see if I can't persuade him," growled
Ames in an ugly tone.

Hood bowed and went out. A few minutes later Reverend Darius Borwell
was ushered into the financier's private office.

"Mr. Ames," cried that gentleman of the cloth, "it's shocking,
terribly so, what those unbridled, unprincipled mill hands have drawn
upon themselves down in Avon! Goodness! And four members of the Church
of the Social Revolution came to my study last evening and demanded
that I let them speak to my congregation on the coming Sabbath!"

"Well?"

"Why, I told them certainly not! My church is God's house! And I shall
have policemen stationed at the doors next Sunday to maintain order!
To think that it has come to this in America! But, Mr. Ames, is your
house guarded? I would advise--"

"Nobody can get within a block of my house, sir, without ringing a
series of electric bells," replied Ames evenly. "I have fifty guards
and private detectives in attendance in and about my premises all the
time. My limousine has been lined with sheet steel. And my every step
is protected. I am not afraid for my life. I simply want to keep going
until I can carry out a few plans I have in hand." His thought had
reverted again to the fair girl in the Tombs.

"But now, Borwell," he continued, "I want to talk with you about
another matter. I am drawing up my will, and--"

"Why, my dear Mr. Ames! You are not ill?"

Ames thought of his physician's constantly iterated warning; but shook
his head. "I may get caught in this Avon affair," he said evasively.
"And I want to be prepared. The President has sent his message to
Congress, as you may be aware. There are unpleasant suggestions in it
regarding dispossession in cases like my own. I'm coming back by
magnanimously willing to Congress a hundred millions, to stand as a
fund for social uplift."

"Ah!" sighed the clergyman. Great was Mammon!

"But the little matter I wish to discuss with you is the sum that I am
setting aside for the erection of a new church edifice," continued
Ames, eying the minister narrowly.

"You don't mean it!" cried that