hy. You've got the
heaviest risk and the brain to fight for it--you've got to do it. Go
home, straighten up, and attend to this. We'll watch Rowland till you
take hold. We're all caught."

They put him into a cab, took him to a Turkish bath, and then home.

The next morning he was at his desk, clear-eyed and clear-headed, and
for a few weeks was a busy, scheming man of business.

CHAPTER XI

On a certain morning, about two months after the announcement of the
loss of the _Titan_, Mr. Meyer sat at his desk in the Rooms, busily
writing, when the old gentleman who had bewailed the death of his son in
the Intelligence office tottered in and took a chair beside him.

"Good morning, Mr. Selfridge," he said, scarcely looking up; "I suppose
you have come to see der insurance paid over. Der sixty days are up."

"Yes, yes, Mr. Meyer," said the old gentleman, wearily; "of course, as
merely a stockholder, I can take no active part; but I am a member here,
and naturally a little anxious. All I had in the world--even to my son
and grandchild--was in the _Titan_."

"It is very sad, Mr. Selfridge; you have my deepest sympathy. I pelieve
you are der largest holder of _Titan_ stock--about one hundred thousand,
is it not?"

"About that."

"I am der heaviest insurer; so Mr. Selfridge, this battle will be
largely petween you and myself."

"Battle--is there to be any difficulty?" asked Mr. Selfridge, anxiously.

"Berhaps--I do not know. Der underwriters and outside companies have
blaced matters in my hands and will not bay until I take der initiative.
We must hear from one John Rowland, who, with a little child, was
rescued from der berg and taken to Christiansand. He has been too sick
to leave der ship which found him and is coming up der Thames in her
this morning. I have a carriage at der dock and expect him at my office
py noon. Dere is where we will dransact this little pizness--not here."

"A child--saved," queried the old gentleman; "dear me, it may be little
Myra. She was not at Gibraltar with the others. I would not care--I
would not care much about the money, if she was safe. But my son--my
only son--is gone; and, Mr. Meyer, I am a ruined man if this insurance
is not paid."

"And I am a ruined man if it is," said Mr. Meyer, rising. "Will you come
around to der office, Mr. Selfridge? I expect der attorney and Captain
Bryce are dere now." Mr. Selfridge arose and accompanied him to the
street.

A rather meagerly-fu