"No, . . we don't threaten, . ." Tony Lemholtz retorted sullenly; "we act!"

"You have the papers, Treadway?" Norton asked, turning to his secretary. "These will be duly presented to the Board of Directors as you request. If they act favorably on them, you will find a new manager at the head of the Norton Manufacturing Company. If not..." Norton's face darkened . . . “If not, you may strike and be damned! Inside of thirty days I'll fill every vacant place with men who are loyal and willing to work . . . Good day, gentlemen!”

V

The three members of the committee silently left the office and returned to the works. Eager eyes watched them as they passed through the various departments before separating, each again taking up his suspended labor at the point where he had dropped it. Their fellow-workmen needed no report to tell them that the expected had happened,.. that the boss had given them no quarter: the grave expression on Sterling's face, the discouragement which marked Richard's demeanor, and the unholy joy with which Tony bore himself, were eloquent enough.

There was no outward change, but to Richard the air seemed to become more tense, and the throb of the machinery menacing. During his first week in the shop he had heard the voice of the machinery threaten, just before Mary Fennessy was caught in the shafting and lost her arm. Now he felt that it was speaking the same terrifying language, talking for the men and

for the women whose giant slave it was, demanding for them recognition and the right to be heard. The men and women had cursed the machinery when it took the toll of Mary Fennessy's arm, but the powerful monster knew what it was doing! That single tragedy had compelled James Norton to install safety appliances which the law required but had not enforced; and what was a single arm as against the protection of all the workers! Dully, Richard asked himself what the giant was trying to say to him now, and what action it was planning to help him bring James Norton to a realization that his son was not a rebellious, trouble-fomenting agitator, but an accredited messenger from Justice, to announce that she had torn the bandage from her eyes and discovered the inaccuracy of her balances.

CHAPTER XV

I'

I

F HENRY CROSS succeeded in surprising James

Norton by his unexpected call, the tables were

turned when William Treadway's name was announced at his own home. The natural inference was that Norton had decided to accept the proposition of turning over enough of the bank stock to give Cross the control, but Treadway promptly assumed entire responsibility for the call. Cross was interested to note that the young man seemed to have discarded some of his superior manner and was inclined to treat him almost as an equal.

"I am in rather a curious position, Mr. Cross," Treadway explained. "Of course, I am Mr. Norton's secretary; but after all I am in the employ of the Company, so I feel that I should act in the interests of the Company rather than those of any individual.”

The older man did not as yet grasp the purport of Treadway's remarks, but he saw no reason why he should dispute them.

"Mr. Norton has had smooth sailing for so many years," Treadway went on, "that he cannot and will not bring himself to admit that the Company is today face

to face with a crisis. I am not telling you anything you do not already know, so there is nothing to be lost by frankness. I don't mean by this to suggest embarrassment for the Company, for its resources are tremendous; but there is no denying the fact that it will be inconvenient to meet all those notes which you hold on the dates they come due."

"That's what I thought," Cross commented with considerable satisfaction. "Norton's bluff didn't fool me a bit."

"Of course not . . . a man with your business acumen and experience," Treadway agreed.

"You heard what I offered him as an alternative?" "Yes; that is what I am here to talk about." "Norton has come 'round, has he?"

Treadway smiled indulgently.

"I thought you knew Mr. Norton better than that! No; it is from another source that I think possibly the stock you desire might be obtained, and there is a good chance that I could secure it for you."

Cross regarded his visitor critically.

"Does this mean that you're going to double-cross Norton?" he asked suspiciously.

"Only to the extent of serving the Company," Treadway explained quickly. "It is desirable that some of these notes be renewed. The Directors realize this even if Mr. Norton does not. If you and I can come to an understanding, I think I can help you."

"Hm!" Cross meditated. . . "The only other source that stock could come from would be Stewart."

"Exactly,.. unless in the meantime some pressure

was brought to bear on Mr. Norton which would cause him to change his mind."

Cross remained silent for several moments. The situation was even more interesting than he had supposed. "Just what is your proposition?" he demanded.

"It is really accepting your proposition rather than making a new one," Treadway corrected. "If you will permit renewals on certain of those notes, I will undertake to secure enough of the bank stock to give you the control, . . but I must have a little time to make the turn."

"How many of the notes, and how much time?"

"We can take care of all but $100,000 without inconvenience. I will give you renewals for these, extending them six months, and before they mature you shall have the stock."

"All right," Cross said crisply after a moment's consideration; "I accept. Which notes do you wish renewed?"

Treadway took a small leather book from his pocket and made a pencil memorandum which he handed to Cross.

"These four, for $25,000 each. I'll bring down the new notes tonight."

"And a signed agreement of our understanding." "Of course," Treadway acquiesced; "but you realize that to put this through we must keep the matter between ourselves?"

"Yes," Cross agreed. "I've been waiting twenty years for this. I guess I can wait six months longer. You're sure you can carry out your promise?"