re
would be something I could probably get hold of pretty cheap. They'd
want a lot of money for a lease on that big building over the way--but
this, why, I should think it'd be practically nothing at all."

Then, by chance, meeting an agent he knew, he made inquiries--merely to
satisfy a casual curiosity, he thought--and he found matters much as he
had supposed, except that the owners of the big building did not wish
to let, but to sell it, and this at a price so exorbitant that Adams
laughed. But the long brick shed in the great muddy lot was for sale or
to let, or "pretty near to be given away," he learned, if anybody would
take it.

Adams took it now, though without seeing that he had been destined
to take it, and that some dreary wizard in the back of his head had
foreseen all along that he would take it, and planned to be ready. He
drove in his taxicab to look the place over again, then down-town to
arrange for a lease; and came home to lunch with his wife and daughter.
Things were "moving," he told them.

He boasted a little of having acted so decisively, and said that since
the dang thing had to be done, it was "going to be done RIGHT!" He was
almost cheerful, in a feverish way, and when the cab came for him again,
soon after lunch, he explained that he intended not only to get things
done right, but also to "get 'em done quick!" Alice, following him to
the front door, looked at him anxiously and asked if she couldn't help.
He laughed at her grimly.

"Then let me go along with you in the cab," she begged. "You don't look
able to start in so hard, papa, just when you're barely beginning to get
your strength back. Do let me go with you and see if I can't help--or at
least take care of you if you should get to feeling badly."

He declined, but upon pressure let her put a tiny bottle of spirits of
ammonia in his pocket, and promised to make use of it if he "felt faint
or anything." Then he was off again; and the next morning had men at
work in his sheds, though the wages he had to pay frightened him.

He directed the workmen in every detail, hurrying them by example and
exhortations, and receiving, in consequence, several declarations of
independence, as well as one resignation, which took effect immediately.
"Yous capitalusts seem to think a man's got nothin' to do but break his
back p'doosin' wealth fer yous to squander," the resigning person loudly
complained. "You look out: the toiler's day is a-comin', and