Mayberry knew he had a friend in Grandon Fuller. But he did not know yet just how much of a friend Mr. Fuller was. Nor why he was friendly with him! Mr. Fuller had not yet shown his hand. Fuller was the heaviest stockholder in the Hapwood-Diller Company and was, of course, on the board of directors. But it was doubtful if he could swing more votes than Macon Hammerly. Angry as he was, Mayberry felt that it would be the part of wisdom to keep from an open break with the grain dealer. Besides, Barton had not gone to France yet--if he ever did. A telegram came from the supply house: “We hold your order as requested subject to correction.” Mayberry sent for Ethel. “What do you know about this, Ethel?” he demanded, glowering at her as she read the telegram. “Just as much as you do, Mr. Mayberry,” she declared, composedly enough. He thought that over a bit. Then he dictated a a letter to the Bogata Company bluntly refusing to fill their order and without even explaining or apologizing for the seeming delay in answering their letter. He had managed to do exactly what Barton had tried to avoid--giving the Bogata people offence. If the miracle happened, and the Bogata people “came back,” they would never feel friendly again toward the Hapwood-Diller Company. As for Mayberry and Ethel, war was declared between them. There could be no further doubt of it. CHAPTER XII THE IMAGE HE TOOK AWAY Although Frank Barton was still manager of the Hapwood-Diller Company, he had turned his salary back into the treasury of the concern ever since joining the training camp at Lake Quehasset. It was not long after the flurry regarding the Bogata Company order that a suggestion was made in the directors meeting of the Hapwood-Diller Company that Barton be removed and Mayberry be put in his place as manager. The suggestion came from Grandon Fuller. Macon Hammerly opposed it. “I am told that Barton will sail shortly with a contingent of our brave boys for the other side,” Mr. Fuller declared pompously. “I fancy he has merely neglected to resign in the stress of other business. Mr. Mayberry has shown his ability and capacity for management. I do not see why Brother Hammerly should object.” “Patriotic reasons,” said the opposing member of the board dryly. “I object to kicking a fellow out of his job because he is going off to fight his country’s battles. Let things rest as they are, Fuller.” “Do you mean all through the war?” demanded Mr. Fuller, with some heat. “Why not? Frank Barton pulled this company out of a slough of despond that pretty near swamped us. If he comes back alive I, for one, want to see him manager again.” “But what about Mr. Mayberry?” “How is _he_ hurt?” snorted the old grain merchant. “He’s sitting here, tight enough, while another man is fighting in his place. The least he can do is to hold Barton’s job for him.”