"Say, that's just what it was," declared the man, getting excited. "I trained with that crowd and did their dirty work, and because I got a drop too much and blowed about the things we were going to do up to the factory, they dropped me." "What factory?" pressed Ralph. "Glidden's." "I was just going up there," said Ralph. "It's somewhere in this direction, isn't it?" "You'll see the smokestack when you turn the next corner. Say," demanded the fellow with a stare of interest at Ralph, "what you going there for? Looking for a job?" "No," replied Ralph, "I wanted to see it, that's all. I am a friend of the man who owns it." "Oh, that's it?" observed the man thoughtfully. "Well, he won't own it tomorrow." "Why not?" "Dorsett is going to get him, that's why." "You mean seize on the factory, don't you?" inquired Ralph. The man stared at Ralph fixedly. He was silent for nearly two minutes. He seemed to be turning something over in his mind. He gazed at the coin Ralph had given him. Then he glanced over his shoulder to see if any lurker was watching them. "See here," he asked in a low tone, "you're on Glidden's side, of course?" "Yes, strongly." "You've been good to me. Saved me from starving. I'll do something for you. Between twelve and one o'clock tomorrow morning, Dorsett and his men are going to pull that factory up yonder to pieces." CHAPTER XXII HOLDING THE FORT Ralph was a good deal startled at the statement of the man whom he had helped to some advantage, it seemed. He did not, however, show it. The man was grateful to him, and Ralph counted on his relating something further. "I would be glad to have you tell me a little more about this business," he said. "As I told you, I am a good deal interested in the welfare of Mr. Glidden." "Are, eh?" grinned the man. "So was I--in the wrong way. Just now it doesn't matter one way or the other. The crowd Dorsett was working with has set me adrift, and I've got nothing to expect from them. What is it you want to know, guv'nor?" "Just this," answered Ralph--"any tricks they are up to that aren't square." "Lots of those, guv'nor. Dorsett is bound to break up Glidden, if he can." "I know that; I understand he has bought up a big claim against Mr. Glidden and will put it into execution tomorrow if it isn't paid." "That's right." "And it will put Mr. Glidden to a lot of costs to redeem his plant." "Say, guv'nor," here interrupted the man--"there'll be no redeeming in the case." "Why not?" "Because the money isn't what Dorsett is after. He's got lots of that. He simply wants to squeeze Glidden so close that he'll holler and quit. He's bent on rooting out the plant entire. Then when he's got Glidden down in the mud, he expects he'll sell him his secret chemical process for a mere song." "The scoundrel!" exclaimed Ralph hotly. "I knew that long ago," coolly chuckled the fellow. "If you're interested, let me give you a tip." "I shall be thankful."