"So I understand. He'll have a long strike on his hands." "Do you know the inside?" "Enough to say that the men will go out. They're a lot of sheep. They've an idea they've been wronged. But you can't reason with them." "Ben, you go up to the shops yourself and tell Bennington what you know." "I don't know him. How'll he take it?" "Tell him I sent you." "I'll do it, Dick. But if he kicks me out, the drinks will be on you. What countermove will he make?" "Better ask him yourself. But if you have any influence among the unions, tell them to go slow. They haven't sized up Bennington. Wait a moment. I'll give you a note to him." He called for paper and envelopes, and wrote: Dear John: This will introduce to you Mr. Jordan, a reporter in whom I have the greatest confidence. Whatever you may tell him you may rest assured that he will never repeat. I am sending him to you in hopes he may suggest some plan by which to ward off the impending strike. There may be a little self-interest on my side. A strike just now will raise the devil in politics. You may trust Jordan fully. Warrington. He pushed it across the table. "There, that will smooth the way." "Many thanks, my son. Where's he eat his lunch?" "Usually in the office." "Well, I'm off!" Ben always had his eye on the story of to-morrow, and he would face all or any difficulties in pursuit of the end. If he could stop the strike at the Bennington shops it would be a great thing for the Telegraph and a great thing for Ben. So he hailed a car, serenely unconscious that he was taking a position absolutely opposed to that of his employer. He arrived at the shops some time before the noon hour. His letter opened all doors. Bennington was in his private office. He read the letter and offered Ben a chair. "I have never been interviewed," he said. "I am not here for an interview," said Ben. "Your men will go out Monday." "Monday? How did you learn that?" "My business takes me among the unions. What shall you do in the event of the strike?" "And I have no desire to be interviewed." "You read Mr. Warrington's letter. Perhaps, if I knew what stand you will take, I could talk to the men myself. I have averted three or four strikes in my time, simply because the boys know that I always speak the truth, the plain truth. In this case I feel that you have the right on your side. You haven't said anything yet. The union is practically trying to bluff you into coming to its terms: the discharge of the inventor, or a strike." "Are you representing the union?" "I am representing nobody but myself." "I may tell you, then, that I shall not discharge the inventor. Nor will I, if the men go out, take a single one of them back." "The men will not believe that. They never do. They've been so successful in Pennsylvania that they are attempting to repeat that success all over the Country. They have grown pig-headed. I feel sorry for the poor devils, who never realize when they are well off."