“That little tumult had me bluffed from the beginning. She barred the way to the printer, that’s all. I thought she was done for when she married Melton, but she came back stronger than ever.... Barred the way, Dicky--put her arms across the door. ‘You can’t do it, John Higgins, you can’t send that down. It’s just wanton destruction. It won’t do what you hope. It won’t help your friend, but make life harder for him and for all the C. O.’s. This isn’t your property to waste. My heart’s in it and Dicky’s money’s in it----’ Well, she had her way--and the thing turned in on me--my own words. My organs of assimilation weren’t strong enough to get away with it.” Dicky gripped John Higgins’ shoulder. The old man added impressively, “Dicky, I’ve sat at the desk for hours and studied how I could ever tell you this one truth! I haven’t written a decent line since that article! My old side-wheeler doesn’t work--that’s the size of it.” He was pressing his hand to the top of his head, as he went on: “I’ve studied how I could tell you. It doesn’t seem quite so hard this morning at the show-down--but she’s written all the decent stuff that’s supposed to come from the Desk.... I mean what I said. I’m for sale. I’ve put it to you straight--the worst. But the paper’s alive and the books are for you to look at. Times are getting freer. The next two issues will get out themselves. It’s all I’ve got----” “But you can take a leave of absence, and keep your income----” “No. That would be a drain. That’s morals possibly, but not business. I want to sell, Dicky, and what I ask won’t break you. I thought for a while I was done for, and I made out my part to her. That would be simple--but the old hulk still floats--so I have to have some money.” Now Dicky dwelt reverently upon the old man’s secret. Only one thing could have prevented John Higgins from getting his masterpiece into print; also John Higgins had made out his single possession in the world to Pidge--when he thought he was done for. This thought now electrified Richard Cobden. He wanted events to turn out this way with such one-pointed fury that he forgot for an instant that it entailed the death of his friend. But some time Pidge must have this gift--some way--John Higgins’ life work! Dicky arose. The fact that he could do nothing right now required extraordinary self-control. “I’ll look the whole property over to-day and tell you to-morrow morning, John. Be sure it will be all right for you. We’re----” Dicky didn’t know what he had started to say. The old man beckoned him back.