ve
been impressed in a manner similar to yours and who, very likely, are
of the same state of mind as you."

"I know meny, sir."

"Very good! Can you not move among them and acquaint them secretly with
what I have just told you? Secure their cooperation for me so that, when
the moment comes, I may depend upon them for support. Urge them, too, to
join in whatever demonstration may be made against the project."

"I'll do thet, sir, and y' may depend 'n me fur it."

"You say Thursday night? Keep me informed of any further developments.
At any rate, I shall see you before then. Remember, however," he
cautioned, "what I have just confided to you must be kept with the
utmost secrecy."

He raised his hand high above his head and stood up.

"I hope t' God I die----"

"Never mind swearing," interrupted Stephen, pulling him back again into
his chair. "Simply be on your guard, that is all."

"Yes, sir."

"You are right to come back," he said; "you should have persevered in
your resistance."

"I couldn't help it, could I? I was made t'."

"We become vigorous under persecution," answered Stephen.

"I'm sorry."

"Well then--tell me. Do you know aught of this Mr. Anderson?"

He stared at him with a questioning look. He was completely bewildered.

"Thet I don't. Why? What--what could I know?"

"I mean do you know who he is?"

He sat up.

"Why, I never thought o' him. He seem'd c'rrect 'nough, I thought.
Marj'rie brought 'im here, I think."

Stephen set his teeth.

"Marjorie?" he repeated. "Are you sure of that?"

"I am, sir."

"When was this?"

"It's a good time now. I jest can't r'member."

"Did she know of his purpose?"

He paused as if he would say more, but dared not.

"Thet I can't say. If I r'member c'rrectly she kept herself wid th' old
lady."

"How often did she accompany him?"

"Just thet once."

"You mean she simply made you acquainted with him?"

"Yes, sir."

A light began to glimmer in Stephen's mind, and gradually the truth
began to dawn upon him.

"In her presence, I presume, the conversation was more or less general.
He alluded to the scheme which was uppermost in his mind only secretly
with you?"

"Thet wuz all, sir."

He knew well enough now what his friend meant, though nothing of the
details, and from the uncertainty and the apprehension of his manner he
judged that there was much of which he was still in the dark. Anderson
had come to Jim with the girl to secure an ad