the Federal court has made the injunction permanent and tied you
up. As soon as I got this I smelled trouble for you, and as your
attorney in fact I got busy with the wires. The situation isn't half
as bad as it might be. I understand that the plaintiff company, a
corporation called the Lawrenceburg Mining & Reduction Company, has
offered you people five million dollars for a transfer of all rights
and titles under your holdings, and that, notwithstanding the
injunction, this offer still holds good."

Since it is a proverb that an empty stomach is a mighty poor team-mate
for a befogged brain, I was unable to see what Whitredge was driving
at, and I told him so.

"Nothing in particular," he countered, "except to remind you that you
still have a good chance to play safe. We are going to 'wrastle' you
out of here, just as I say, Bert, my boy, at any cost, and it's a piece
of great good luck that you won't have to count the pennies in whatever
it may cost."

"But I shall have to count them if our mine is shut down."

"Not if you and your partners make this sale to the Lawrenceburg
people. Five millions will give each of you a million and two-thirds
apiece. It's up to you right now to persuade your two partners to
close with the offer while it still holds good. It's liable to be
withdrawn any minute, you know. The other two may be able to hang on
and put up a further fight, but you can't afford to."

"Why can't I?"

"For one mighty good reason, if there isn't any other. I met your wife
this morning, Bert. She's stopping across town at the Buckingham--just
to be as near you as she can get. You can't afford to do, or to leave
undone, anything that'll keep that little woman dangling on the ragged
edge. She thinks too much of you."

He had me on the run, and I think he knew it. What he did not know was
that the smash, the solitary cell, and a weakened body were pushing me
harder than any of his specious arguments.

"I've got to get out!" I groaned, with the cold sweat starting out all
over me. "Whitredge, I've had enough in these few days to break an
iron man!"

"Naturally; married only a month, and all that. I'm a dried-up old
bachelor, Bert, my boy, but I know exactly how you feel. As you say,
you've got to get out of here, and the quickest way is the right
way--when you stop to think of that poor lonesome little woman waiting
over yonder in the hotel. I've come fixed for you"--he was on his
feet,