ent from his utterance and gait. This last discovery when his
condition was considered, disturbed him most of all, for he saw that
Garry was going through some terrible crisis, either professional or
financial.

As the two advanced toward the door of the station on their way to the
street, the big, burly form of McGowan, the contractor, loomed up.

"I heard you wouldn't be up till late, Mr. Minott," he exclaimed
gruffly, blocking Garry's exit to the street. "I couldn't find you at
the Council or at your office, so I had to come here. We haven't had
that last payment on the church. The vouchers is all ready for your
signature, so the head trustee says,--and the money's where you can git
at it."

Garry braced his shoulders and his jaw tightened. One secret of the
young architect's professional success lay in his command over his men.
Although he was considerate, and sometimes familiar, he never permitted
any disrespect.

"Why, yes, Mr. McGowan, that's so," he answered stiffly. "I've been in
New York a good deal lately and I guess I've neglected things here. I'll
try to come up in the morning, and if everything's all right I'll get a
certificate and fill it up and you'll get a check in a few days."

"Yes, but you said that last week." There was a sound of defiance in
McGowan's voice.

"If I did I had good reason for the delay," answered Garry with a flash
of anger. "I'm not running my office to suit you."

"Nor for anybody else who wants his money and who's got to have it, and
I want to tell you, Mr. Minott, right here, and I don't care who hears
it, that I want mine or I'll know the reason why."

Garry wheeled fiercely and raised his hand as if to strike the speaker,
then it dropped to his side.

"I don't blame you, Mr. McGowan," he said in a restrained, even voice.
"I have no doubt that it's due you and you ought to have it, but I've
been pretty hard pressed lately with some matters in New York; so much
so that I've been obliged to take the early morning train,--and you can
see yourself what time I get home. Just give me a day or two longer and
I'll examine the work and straighten it out. And then again, I'm not
very well."

The contractor glared into the speaker's face as if to continue the
discussion, then his features relaxed. Something in the sound of Carry's
voice, or perhaps some line of suffering in his face must have touched
him.

"Well, of course, I ain't no hog," he exclaimed in a softer tone, whi