Came a joint laugh from the three at the map, not hearty or contagious, but burdened with that negative humor with which men sometimes accept a situation which holds them helpless and at the same time summons all their power to meet it. Stoughton drew a long breath. "Well," he said slowly; "I suppose we are." There followed an hour's conference. Clark did not display a trace of triumph but poured out the contents of his extraordinary brain. A million to start with and after that more millions as the occasion demanded. These were his requirements and the rest could be left to him. And it might be noted that the prospect did not cause the others much anxiety, for as the undertaking unfolded with communicable power, they perceived more fully than ever that he was in actuality dealing with fundamentals, and fundamentals were things they were not afraid to commend to financial circles. Thus was sown in this Philadelphia office the seed which was destined to propagate itself so amazingly. When it was all over, Clark went back to his hotel, and wrote a short letter to a woman saying that he had interesting business on hand and hoped to see her soon. The letter was to his mother. IV.--PRELIMINARIES IN ST. MARYS Snow was on the ground and the river crisping with tinkling sheets of spreading ice when Clark again reached St. Marys and with characteristic energy laid his first plans. These were to supply the town with water and light, and the fact that the well remembered public promise was thus to be redeemed reassured the citizens as nothing else could have done. It was true that heavy work was impossible before spring, but Belding, on instructions, deposited with the town council an imposing set of blue prints which showed water pipes and electric circuits radiating through every part of the town. It was a week or so later that one day in the office Belding looked up as though he had been called and caught his chief's penetrating gaze. "Are you engaged, Belding; I mean to be married?" There was a twinkle in the gray eyes. "No, sir." "Want to be?" "No, sir." "Anything to think of except the work?" Belding shook his head. He had already learned never to show surprise. "Then suppose I share your quarters for the rest of the winter. I can't stand that hotel any longer." The engineer flushed. Already he had put Clark away in the corner of his mind as one not comparable to any man he had ever met. His directness, his versatility, the suggestion of power that lay behind power,--all these Belding had found in him. And this was a little like being asked to share quarters with the Pope. "I'm afraid you won't be very comfortable, sir." Belding had the use of a big house, but it was hard to heat. "I'll be better off than where I am," said Clark, and that settled it. He had apparently conceived for the young man as much liking as he cared to show for any one. Presently he laughed.