“Well,” repeated Ryder after him, with exasperating composure. The editor was no stranger to intrusions of this sort, for his sarcasms were frequently personal. His manner varied to suit each individual case. When the wronged party stormed into the office, wrathful and loud-lunged, he was generally willing to make prompt reparation, especially if his visitor had the advantage of physical preponderance on his side. When, however, the caller was uncertain and palpably in awe of him, as sometimes happened, he got no sort of satisfaction. With Oakley he pursued a middle course. “Well?” he repeated. “What do you mean by this?” “I think it speaks for itself, don't you?” “I went into this matter with you, and you know as well as I do why the men are cut. This,” striking the paper contemptuously with his open hand, “is the worst sort of rubbish, but it may serve to make the men feel that they are being wronged, and it is an attack on me.” “Did you notice that? I didn't know but it was too subtle for you.” He couldn't resist the gibe at Oakley's expense. “Disguised, of course, but intended to give the men less confidence in me. Now, I'm not going to stand any more of this sort of thing!” He was conscious he had brought his remarks to a decidedly lame conclusion. “And I'll tell you one thing, Mr. Oakley, I'm editor of the _Herald_, and I don't allow any man to dictate to me what I shall print. That's a point I'll pass on for myself.” “You know the situation. You know that the general will dispose of his interests here unless they can be made self-sustaining; and, whether you like him or not, he stands as a special providence to the town.” “I only know what you have told me,” sneeringly. Oakley bit his lips. He saw it would have been better to have left Ryder alone. He felt his own weakness, and his inability to force him against his will to be fair. He gulped down his anger and chagrin. “I don't see what you can gain by stirring up this matter.” “Perhaps you don't.” “Am I to understand you are hostile to the road?” “If that means you--yes. You haven't helped yourself by coming here as though you could bully me into your way of thinking. I didn't get much satisfaction from my call on you. You let me know you could attend to your own affairs, and I can attend to mine just as easily. I hope you appreciate that.” Dan turned on his heel and left the office, cursing himself for his stupidity in having given the editor an opportunity to get even. CHAPTER XII IN the course of the next few days Dan decided that there was no danger of trouble from the hands. Things settled back into their accustomed rut. He was only a little less popular, perhaps. He was indebted to Clarence for the first warning he received as to what was in store for him.