Helen Sholto, over and beyond an exceptionally quick perception, had now become a highly trained woman of the modern world, a brilliant writer and speaker who understood her own sex. Already she counted with that important but elusive entity, the woman voter. She had, too, powers of organization, a real capacity for handling large affairs. Saul Hartz with his flair in such matters saw that her combination of rare qualities was likely to carry her far. To the Colossus no one was indispensable, but in certain ways he had come to lean rather heavily on Helen Sholto; and he had made up his mind that she must not be allowed to serve in the enemy’s camp. “I’ve been making plans for you.” Those strange eyes measured hers. “Let me tell you what they are.” The husky whisper was now a caress. “Stay with us here and you shall have something big--a plum worth having. As you know, we are planning a new paper for women that we hope to make the finest property of its kind in existence. Now suppose you take control at double your present salary and with a share in the profits?” Helen was thrilled. Only a woman of ambition could have gone so far already upon the road. This was an opportunity she had foreseen and had been steadily working for. To be in charge of such an undertaking would not only gratify a keen desire; it would be fulfillment almost beyond what she had dared to hope. She knew that the eyes of Saul Hartz were reading her soul. As far as he was concerned there was hardly such a thing as a secret. And with what uncanny skill he could use his knowledge! The bribe was great. For one of her mental outlook, the refusal of such a bait would be a going-back upon her whole philosophy of life. “Don’t decide at once.” The whisper, faint though it was, had a curious power. “But keep the door open ... keep the door open, that’s all we ask.” Helen remained silent. In the presence of this man, immediately under his gaze, within sound of his compelling speech, she was always less than herself. Everybody in the Office felt like that. The most potent members of the staff, and they included heads as hard and brains as “picked” as the world could produce, were seldom able to put up a fight against him. The Colossus dominated all alike. “You see,” Saul Hartz went on, “it was due to me that you came over to us here. I’ve always felt a personal responsibility in regard to you. From the first I believed in you--we believed in each other. You have not disappointed me; I hope I have not disappointed you. But it will hurt me more than I can say, if for a whim, a mere whim, a day-dream, you throw away a really fine career.” To doubt his sincerity was impossible. Every word rang true. And Helen Sholto with his spell upon her was bound to react to the emotion this man had the power to excite. At once her mind went back to the many benefits at his hands, the many delicate kindnesses. She could not forget his faith in her; she could not forget how much she owed him.