"That's so," said Ralph, "and I am glad to find you so particular. My name is Fairbanks, and I come from the brother of Mr. Glidden, at Stanley Junction. I have a good deal to tell you, and wish you would come out and talk with me or let me in to talk to you." "You say the lawyer knows you?" inquired Bartlett warily. "No, he doesn't, but his wife does." "We'll see about that--wait a minute." Ralph was made aware of the fact that the factory connected with the town by telephone, as the foreman of the plant proceeded to an instrument and took down the receiver. He could not hear the conversation that ensued, but very shortly Bartlett came to the door and invited him in. "You're all right, and you're bringing some mighty good news, I hear," he said heartily. "Sit down. I fancy that blatherskite, Dorsett, won't sail so high tomorrow." "I fancy not, if things are done straight," said Ralph, "but I just learned something that worries me a good deal." "What is that?" Ralph told his story in detail. He recited what his tramp acquaintance had imparted to him. The sturdy foreman knit his brows, but he did not scare a bit. He walked slowly over to a closet, took out a new Winchester rifle, laid it across the top of the desk, and said quietly: "I've got orders to admit no one here without an order from the lawyer up to ten o'clock tomorrow morning. The man who gets in before that time on any other conditions will be a dandy, I can tell you that." Ralph requested permission to use the telephone. He got in communication with the lawyer's wife and told her of his new discoveries. Her husband had not yet returned, but as soon as he appeared she told Ralph she would send him up to the plant. Ralph informed her that he would not leave the factory until he heard from the lawyer. It was getting dusk when a small boy came to the office door. He carried a basket and a note, which, after due challenge, Bartlett took into his possession. The lawyer's wife had sent them a steaming hot supper, and told Ralph in the note to hold the fort, as she felt certain that her husband would arrive at Derby on either the eight or ten o'clock train. Half an hour later, after they had lighted up, the foreman approached the door cautiously as some one else knocked at it. "Who's there?" he demanded. "No one you know. The young fellow in there knows me, though. Tell him to look out of the window." Ralph pulled aside the shade and peered out, recognizing his tramp acquaintance of the afternoon. "It's the man who told me about this plot of Dorsett's," he said. "One of the same gang, eh? I dunno," remarked Bartlett dubiously. "Ain't he a dangerous customer to let inside here?" "He seems friendly, and he may have something more to tell us," responded Ralph. "I hardly think we'll take much risk admitting him." "Well, it's just as you say, then." "Yes, let him in," directed Ralph.