e got five hundred that isn't doing a stitch of work," declared
Wainwright.

"Some of my relations have wads of money," suggested young Denton. "I
wouldn't wonder if--"

"No, no, no!" cried Hal, in a shaken voice. "I know how well you
fellows mean it. But--"

"As a loan," said Wainwright hopefully. "The paper's good enough
security."

"_Not_ good enough," replied Hal firmly. "I can't take it, boys.
You--you're a mighty good lot, to offer. Now, about looking for other
places--"

"All those that want to quit the 'Clarion,' stand up," shouted McGuire
Ellis.

Not a man moved.

"Unanimous," observed the convalescent. "I thought nobody'd rise to
that. If anybody had," he added, "I'd have punched him in the eye."

The gathering adjourned in gloom.

"All this only makes it harder, Mac," said Hal to his right-hand man
afterward. "They can't afford to stick till we sink."

"If a sailor can do it, I guess a newspaper man can," retorted the other
resentfully. "I wish I could poison Pierce."

At dinner that night Hal found his father distrait. Since the younger
man's return, the old relations had been resumed, though there were
still, of necessity, difficult restraints and reservations in their
talk. The "Clarion," however, had ceased to be one of the tabooed
subjects. Since the publication of the President's letter and the saving
of Old Home Week, Dr. Surtaine had become an avowed Clarionite. Also he
kept in personal touch with the office. This evening, however, it was
with an obvious effort that he asked how affairs were going. Hal
answered listlessly that matters were going well enough.

"No, they aren't, Boy-ee. I heard about your talk to-day."

"Did you? I'm sorry. I don't want to worry you."

"Boy-ee, let me back you."

"I can't, Dad."

"Because of that old agreement?"

"Partly."

"Call it a loan, then. I can't stand by and see the paper licked by
Pierce. Fifty thousand won't touch me. And it'll save you."

"Please, Dad, I can't do it."

"Is it because it's Certina money?"

Hal turned miserable eyes on his father. "Hadn't we better keep away
from that?"

"I don't get you at all on that," cried the charlatan. "Why, it's
business. It's legal. If I didn't sell 'em the stuff, somebody else
would. Why shouldn't I take the money, when it's there?"

"There's no use in my trying to argue it with you, Dad. We're miles
apart."

"That's just it," sighed the older man. "Oh, well! You couldn't help my
pay