y there in your handwriting, Mr. Hendricks; and he has had them
both enlarged to show that the handwriting of the note and of the
county book are the same; isn't that mean, Mr. Hendricks?" Hendricks
coughed into the transmitter, and she knew that he was there, so she
continued: "As your friend in this matter, I have got them to promise
that if you will come to the Citizens' League meeting that you have
called for to-morrow night at Barclay Hall and tell the people that
you think we need harmony in the Ridge worse than we need this
everlasting row, if you will merely say to Mr. Barclay as you pass
into the meeting, 'Well, John, I believe I'll dismiss that suit,' you
can have your letter back. He hasn't got the letter, but he will be
sure to tell the news to a friend who has." Here the voice faltered,
and said unconsciously, "Wait a minute, I've lost my place; oh, here
it is; all right. And if you don't come to the meeting and say that, I
believe they are going to spring those documents on the meeting to put
you in bad odour."

"Is that all?" asked Hendricks.

"Well--" a pause and then finally--"yes," came the voice.

"Well, my answer is no," said Hendricks, and while he was trying to
get central the voice called again and said:--

"Just one word more: if you still maintain your present decision, a
copy of that letter you wrote will be put into the hands of Mr.
Brownwell of the _Banner_ before the meeting; I tell you this to
protect you. He and Mrs. Brownwell and Mrs. Barclay will be in town
to-morrow evening on the Barclay car from the West on No. 6; you will
have until then to reconsider your decision; after that you act at
your own risk."

Again the voice ceased, and Hendricks learned from central who had
been talking with him. It was after banking hours, and he sat for a
time looking the situation squarely in the face. The reckoning had
come. He had answered "no" with much bravery over the telephone--but
in his heart a question began to rise, and his decision was clouded.

Hendricks walked alone under the stars that night, and as he walked he
turned the situation over and over as one who examines a strange
puzzle. He saw that his "no" could not be his own "no." Molly must be
partner in it. For to continue his fight for clean water he must risk
her good name. He measured Bemis, and remembered the old quarrel. The
hate in the face of the bribe-giver, thrown out of the county
convention a quarter of a century befo