"I should say it was a real fight," remarked the superintendent dryly. "Then Rush had no part in it at all?" "He came in when we were having it hardest, and the crowd was getting ready to jump on me because they saw I was getting the best of the pit boss. Rush held the crowd back so I should have fair play; that's all." "What was Brodsky doing all this time?" "He was shouting 'liars!' most of the time. But when he saw that the crowd were going against me, he called 'police,' and the crowd ran away. (Much obliged, Ignatz. I hadn't thought to thank you for helping me out before.) I had to do it. You would have done the same as I did, Mr. Keating, because you're a man----" "You're right, I should have, Jarvis!" exclaimed the superintendent, bringing the flat of his hand down on his desk with a resounding whack. "At any rate, you can't fire me because I'm not working for you any longer." "Oh, yes, you are. McNaughton, what do you think about these boys now?" demanded the general superintendent, turning to his division superintendent. "I don't think; I know. I have done these boys a very great injustice and I am willing and ready to make amends in any way that I can. I don't know how I could have been so deceived." "Naturally, not knowing them, you took the word of your foremen. I am not inclined to blame you under the circumstances. But, boys, I am sorry this has happened. I apologize to you, for you have been very badly used. Do I understand that you have taken another place?" "Yes, sir; that is, we can have the place if we wish it. There is no obligation on our part to go if we do not wish to." "Why did you not come straight to me with your story at once?" "It did not seem right to go over Mr. McNaughton's head. It seemed an unmanly thing to do." Mr. Keating nodded at the other man, as much as though to say, "I told you so." What Keating said aloud was: "Not many would have followed that course, McNaughton." "No, sir," agreed the assistant superintendent. "We shall have to take some action in the cases of Foley and Kalinski. Each is equally to blame." "Yes, sir." "My inclination is to dismiss them summarily. Have they families?" "Yes, sir; large families." "Hm-m-m," reflected Mr. Keating. "That makes it rather difficult to do with them as I otherwise should. However, they must be punished. I'll tell you; they must both be reduced to the ranks. I do not want any such men in positions of responsibility in mills of which I am the head. It is not safe. Put them at whatever they can do." "They will quit, sir." "Let them! I hope they do. It relieves me of a disagreeable job that sooner or later it will be necessary to tackle. Brodsky, you are a good boy. I shall look into your case and see what can be done for you." "Then do we go to work?" asked Jarvis.