Bowers got up and paced the terrace irresolutely, glancing now and then at the motionless, gray clad figure in the wicker chair. He was suddenly and profoundly moved. In the past he had seen but one side of Clark, and this sudden depth of feeling was startling. He knew that if he still took his chief as the crowd took him, Clark would not apparently be affected in any degree, but would only classify and finally put him away with his own kind. "Don't think for a moment I'm making any appeal," went on the steady voice. "It really doesn't matter whether you believe in me or not. There's just one thing supremely important at the present time, which is my belief in myself. That's my anchorage--it always has been and will be. I don't consider that we owe each other anything, but just the same I would like to know where you place me." Bowers had a swift vision of what he was seven years ago, and set it against what he was now. Then, with full consciousness of the complete confidence that was placed in him by Clark, he turned and held out his hand. "I place you," he said a little jerkily, "just where you want to be placed." Clark merely touched the extended fingers, but his face brightened and a smile crept into his eyes. "I thought you did, but--" he added quizzically, "I had to work to find it out, didn't I?" Bowers nodded. He felt like a field that had been plowed so deep that it would yield better than ever before. He reflected, too, that the experience gained in years of success should serve well in times of adversity. "What's on the program?" he asked. "The men will begin to drift in from the mines and lumber camps. Then it's a matter of sitting tight till they're paid off." Bowers thrust out his lips. He had seen men come in from the woods with their pockets full of money, and that was bad enough, but without money--! "I've had a talk with Manson who seems good for it, and the works will be under heavy guard. That's all we can do in the meantime. I'm going to Philadelphia as soon as possible." "But not at once?" Clark smiled. "No, not at once." XXII.--THE MASTER MIND AT WORK Bowers went thoughtfully home and; next morning, flung himself into his work with renewed courage. He had need of it--they all had need of it. There were now thousands who waited for their pay, and daily these ranks were swelled by others who drifted in from the woods. Hundreds of merchants began to refuse credit, though Filmer valiantly used all his resources. St. Marys was, in truth, stupefied, and when the first shock began to smooth itself out, the reality of the thing became grimly apparent, and then arose the first rumor of trouble in Ironville, that straggling settlement of shacks where dwelt the bone and muscle of the works.