Again the receiver spoke, while Clark's face grew suddenly very grim. "I think you'd better come up and see me," he said shortly. Then he listened. "Very well," he snapped. His features were like a mask. "I'm going down to the bank," he went on dryly to the secretary, "for the first time in his life Mr. Brewster is unable to leave his office and come up to mine when invited." He drove into St. Marys followed by the glances of every man and woman who caught sight of the erect figure. The town was full of confused and conflicting rumors, but nothing had as yet crystallized. The appearance of Clark in mid afternoon at the door of the bank, thickened the air. It was known that people with whom he did business invariably went to him. Not in years had he been to Brewster. But for all of that he seemed as cheerful as usual, and took off his gray hat to Mrs. Worden with accustomed and somewhat formal urbanity. Inside he found Hobbs, his round, soft face looking unhealthily pallid, and Brewster with his jaw stuck out, a determined expression on his young features. "Well, what's the trouble?" "Nothing very serious." Brewster spoke with a pleasant accent, but he was confronting the most difficult hour of his life. "Just this check." "What about it?" "I can't make any further advances till your present acceptances are met in Philadelphia. We have half a million of them." "That payroll has got to be disbursed." "I'm sorry, but I can't cash that check." The lines on the older man's face tightened and deepened. "Mr. Brewster, we have spent some fifteen millions of capital through your bank. This amount is too small to discuss. Do you realize that, if you persist, the men will go unpaid for the first time in seven years?" "I'm sorry, but I can't help that." The young manager began to feel more fortified. "Is this because there's a temporary interruption at the rail mill?" said Clark bitterly. "You're assuming a big responsibility." "I regret that I can give no reasons, and am only doing what seems best in the interest of the bank. If the acceptances are met,--and the first falls due two weeks from to-day--our head office will probably authorize a further advance, provided we are secured. Under the circumstances your Philadelphia office should take care of this matter." "And this is your last word?" snapped Clark with emphasis. But Brewster had by this time completely pulled himself together. The most trying moment was passed, and for once the mesmeric influence had failed. He felt behind him the authority of Thorpe and his own directors, and revolted at the thought of imperiling his own record.