"They're out for blood now," Pelham commented somberly, after reading the brief announcement. "They won't get you for anything, dear?" she queried quickly. "I don't believe so.... You never can tell." On their arrival, he sent Jane home by taxi, and went at once to strike headquarters. Two men lay sleeping on a rug thrown into the corner, their faces gray and exhausted. A young miner, his arm bandaged, sat at the table with Spence and several others. "Hello, Judson. Just in time for the big round," the lawyer greeted grimly. They walked over to the window. "Two companies arrive to-night," Spence continued. "By to-morrow they'll proclaim martial law for the entire mountain district...." His tone grew shrilly significant. "That includes the place where the boys live now." "What can we answer?" The lawyer lifted wearied shoulders. "Do what we can. We won't quit, but----I saw what they did in '04, remember." "No chance for justice from the soldiers? I know some of the boys in the local company----" "My dear man, the company gave 'em new brass buttons, new rifles, new bullets! Where will they put those bullets, do you suppose? It's irony for you: most of the soldiers were once laborers; labor's money pays for their food and their rifles; and labor receives their fire. Of course, if we can avoid trouble----It's our only hope; we can win, if we can prevent a smash-up." "What about Jensen?" "I'm appealing; that'll tie it up for a year. But the cards are marked, and they are dealing." Pelham escaped from the headquarters of suffering for a hurried trip out to the miners' tent settlement. On the way back, he saw in the state road ahead a familiar boyish figure; as he reached it, fourteen-year-old Ned turned and saw him. "Hey, give us a lift, Pell!" The brother climbed in impetuously. "Didn't expect to see me, did you? Father's going to let me be a deputy, next year! Does the company let you use these roads?" "This is a state road, Ned; it's as much mine as the company's." "Gee, I thought they all belonged to the company! What do you know, Pell--Sue's getting married Friday!" "So I read," rather crudely. "Is he a nice chap?" "Fine as silk! His father's in the insurance business at Hartford--he has two yachts and an aeroplane--I'm going to visit them next summer----" "You've gotten thick already, I see. I'm glad she's getting married." "And what do you suppose!" Ned's eyes grew round and mysterious. "Tom Cole's really dead at last! He got pneumonia, and died in three days. The funeral was in Lilydale--Nell 'n' me went!" "Nell and I." "Anyhow, mother sent the most wonderful bunch of white roses you ever saw--all that were growing on the mountain. I helped pick 'em. And we're living in a wonderful big house in Glen Kenmore! Gee, you ought to see it!" "Old Peter's still on the mountain?" "Yes, an' he's going to teach me how to fiddle! Father said I could learn."