f winning. Another man
had climbed upon his chariot, and then, at the last moment, jumped a few
feet ahead, and had thereby won the prize.

So that the achievement in itself be good, the world does not inquire
too curiously whether it was honestly achieved.

And there is no use starting a joint-stock company to exploit a new
machine when there is a better machine in the field.

The steel had seized on Peer, and used him as a springboard. But the
reward was destined for another.

Chapter V

Herr Uthoug Junior, Agent for English tweeds, stepped out of the train
one warm day in July, and stood for a moment on the station platform
looking about him. Magnificent scenery, certainly. And this beautiful
valley was where his sister had been living for more than a year.
Splendid air--and yet somehow it didn't seem to have done his
brother-in-law much good. Well, well! And the neatly dressed young
gentleman set off on foot towards Raastad, asking his way from time
to time. He wanted to take them by surprise. There had been a family
council at Ringeby, and they had agreed that some definite arrangement
must be made for the future of the sister and her husband, with whom
things had gone so hopelessly wrong.

As he turned up the by-road that led to the farm, he was aware of a
man in his shirt-sleeves, wheeling a barrow full of stones. What? He
thought--could he be mistaken? No--sure enough it was Peer Holm--Peer
Holm, loading up stones and wheeling them down the hill as zealously as
if he were paid for every step.

The Agent was not the man for lamentations or condolences. "Hullo!" he
cried. "Hard at it, aren't you? You've taken to farming, I see."

Peer stood up straight, wiped his hands on his trousers, and came
towards him. "Good heavens! how old he has grown!" thought Uthoug to
himself. But aloud he said, "Well, you do look fit. I'd hardly have
known you again."

Merle caught sight of the pair from the kitchen window. "Why, I do
believe--" she exclaimed, and came running out. It was so long since she
had seen any of her people, that she forgot her dignity and in a moment
had her arms round her brother's neck, hugging him.

No, certainly Uthoug junior had not come with lamentations and
condolences. He had a bottle of good wine in his bag, and at supper he
filled the glasses and drank with them both, and talked about theatres
and variety shows, and gave imitations of well-known actors, till he had
set the two poo