“Moran,” said the big man, “this isn’t altogether unexpected. My good friend, Judge Frame, has been in touch with me, and we’ve done a bit of investigating ourselves. Now I’ll tell you what we’re going to do, Wilkins and I. We’ve held you up; you had us on the blind side. Personally I don’t like to be fooled. It r’iles me, and I’m good and plenty r’iled. We sha’n’t press the incendiarism charge. Putting you in prison wouldn’t make me any happier; but busting you would. This locality won’t be broken-hearted to see you removed from it. Your notes are due; we shall not renew. Our attorneys have been notified to take the usual steps to realize on your collateral. Now if I were you I’d clear out. We haven’t any more use for you here.” Moran protested, threatened, raved. When he was done and the room was rid of him, the big man turned to Jim: “I hear you’ve earned a name, young man. Sudden Jim, is it? A good name, and your father’ll be glad to hear of it. Maybe I can give you a piece of news. Saw Welliver and Jenkins yesterday. They’re through. The Clothespin Club will be good if you’ll cry quits. Meeting next week in Grand Rapids, and you’d better go.” “About that option of yours, son,” said the stockholder named Wilkins, “we know what it cost you. You’re entitled to your profit. Will two dollars an acre satisfy you? If it will the board, when it is elected, will instruct the treasurer to give you his check for the amount.” The movement of affairs had been too swift even for Sudden Jim. The revolution in his condition had been too rapid. He could scarcely grasp it. Moran done for, himself offered a profit on his option which would pay the note presented that day and leave a pleasant margin of cash! His acceptance was prompt. He drove back to Diversity with Zaanan after the meeting. For most of the way he was silent, dazed at the outcome of affairs. At last he spoke. “Judge,” said he, “I said you were a great man this afternoon—” “That’s all right, Jim.” “If it hadn’t been for you—” “To be sure! To be sure! It’s my business to meddle. And, besides, Clothespin Jimmy and I was raised side by side. He licked me four times ’fore I was twelve year old. He told me to sorter look after you a mite, figgerin’ you might need it. And say, son, if I was you I’d go hell-for-leather out to Steve’s place. You’ve been messin’ up things with that girl out there. I dun’no’ but you ought to git thrashed for actin’ so; but you’re young and sudden.” Zaanan smiled dryly. “’Twa’n’t Marie told Moran you was goin’ to swoop down on his camp; it was that young Newell up to your office. Call to mind, it was him warned you the trestle was goin’ to burn. Moran’s had him bought up quite a spell.” “Judge—” said Jim. “Judge—” “Yes, son, you’re as big a dum fool as you figger you are, and maybe more. The young is inclined to value themselves high.”