So far as Dunbar was concerned this ended the business, and he showed it by going to his desk and taking up some papers. But Mason lingered thoughtfully and, at last, said:

"I am at liberty to speak of this call to Mr. Edgar?"

"Of course," replied Dunbar, "my agency is merely to deliver the message."

"Yes, I see; but when does this retrograde movement begin?"

"I understand you have a week in which to act. But if you were to take my advice, you would put yourself in shape to take all the advantages early to-morrow morning."

Mason shot up a sharp, short glance, and sat down in a chair beside the president.

"Mr. Dunbar," he said, "with others, I believe you are a coming man in this town of ours. We are likely to come together in close relations. My word and the confidence I can inspire is my capital in my business. I should like you to know me and test me. Edgar trusts me. He can and has. But I don't trust him, big man as he is. He is the last man I know that I would let get a hold on me. I say this to you because I have said it to him. I am not in my business for my health alone. I'm in it partly for the game which it pleases me to play, but mostly for the opportunities it gives me for making money, like this mes

So

sage of yours. Of course I pay for them, in the way I can. That's plain talk, I think. Now, I'm credited with being able to see as far into a political mill-stone as the next. But I'll confess that I am not able to see through the game of you gentlemen of finance. I'm going to make a statement, and ask a question. I hold 250 shares of Universal, for which I paid ground-floor money. I am holding it for my little girl as a nest-egg when she gets married to some good man. Now, in view of this message to sell short, would you advise- ""

"One moment, Mr. Mason," interrupted Dunbar. "Don't ask the question."

As he listened the idea had occurred that the friendship of this man might prove to be most valuable to him in the unformed plans that seethed and bubbled in his brain. He determined to make the venture.

"I am not at liberty," he went on, "to discuss this thing. I do not direct the financial policy of this company now. I have never even attempted to manipulate the market in advancing or depressing a share, as yet. I own 10,000 shares in this company. I got them for my half interest in the patent-right which is the basis of the company's prosperity. I think I know what your question would have been.

If I am right, then that same

question is right up to me for myself, and I have not decided. You and I are not in the same position. Every dollar I own is here. I am identified with the business by name and draw a salary as an officer. It is hardly fair to ask me to say anything derogatory of my business. From your standpoint I want to submit this. You have 250 shares at 92, $23,000. That amount in-how old is the little girl? Ten? Well then, in ten years, real estate, on general principles, would be worth more than stock in a company that is controlled by a power that does manipulate the market. Now, I am not a free agent to give advice, but a man of affairs like you should consider just what a message like yours from the great power in the company may mean and govern yourself accordingly. This is more than I've ever said to any one."

"And you've said it in a way that's straight and smart,” said Mason, rising. "I thank you."

He extended his hand, saying:

"Take my hand, sir. It is the hand of a man who will be glad to have the opportunity of proving his friendship for J. Percival Dunbar."

Dunbar took his hand in a hearty grasp and as he did so Elbert brought in the card of another visitor. Glancing at it he directed

Elbert to show the visitor in when Mr. Mason left. Turning to the politician, who was about to go, he said:

"May I ask who your broker is, Mr. Mason?"

"Van Zandt," promptly replied Mason. Dunbar smiled as he said:

"Will you favor me by confining this business to him and, as he is the one who sent in this card, will you leave by this door?"

Mason willingly assented with a laugh as he passed through the door, that led him into the public hall of the building, Dunbar held open for him.

When Van Zandt entered the room he did so with effusion and vigor.

"I have come to make my acknowledgments," he said, "and to thank you for the very great service you gave my daughter this morning. I fear, Dunbar, if it had not been for your timely aid there would have been great sorrow in the Van Zandt household this day."

He shuddered as he uttered the words, looking most gratefully at the younger man.

"And in many another household, Mr. Van Zandt, if disaster had occurred to Miss Van Zandt. She has many friends."

"She has that, the dear little girl. It was a glorious thing you did, Dunbar. Saved her

life. She told me all about it by telephone. Said I must see you and thank you. Just as if I didn't want to do that as soon as I heard of it."

"Please don't let Miss Van Zandt or yourself overjudge my act. Had I not been there as I was the mounted policeman would have saved her. Indeed he was there as quickly as

I. Indeed I did not know who was in the carriage before I had stopped the horse." "All the same it was a brave act. The officer says it was the nerviest and cleanest thing he ever saw done. You have put me under obligations to you for life. You will call up and let the little girl thank you herself, won't you? She says she believes she said not a word of thanks to you in her agitation. Oh, I say, by George! Why, Dunbar, there was some difference between you, wasn't there?”

"If there was it has passed now," said the young man, with a slightly embarrassed air. "That is, Van Zandt, it was explained this morning. A misunderstanding existed on her part-thought I had done something wrong, what I don't know-and resented it. Then she found out she had been mistaken and made the amende."

Van Zandt lay back and laughed heartily. "By George! That's Kitty all over. You know, Dunbar, she is a girl of high ideals and