"I can believe it," said Scarborough, and Whitney looked as if he had scented sarcasm, though Scarborough was correctly colorless. "But, if you should be unable to discover any grounds for a case against the railways?" "Then all we can do is to work harder than ever along the old lines--cut down expenses, readjust wages, stop waste." Whitney sneered politely. "But no doubt you have some other plan to propose." Scarborough continued to look at him with the same faint smile. "I've nothing to suggest--to-day," said he. "The court proceedings will do no harm--you see, Mr. Whitney, I can't get my wicked suspicion of your friends out of my mind. But we must also try something less--less leisurely than courts. I'll think it over." Whitney laughed rather uncomfortably; and when they adjourned he lingered with Dr. Hargrave. "We must not let ourselves be carried away by our young friend's suspicions," said he to his old friend. "Scarborough is a fine fellow. But he lacks your experience and my knowledge of practical business. And he has been made something of a crank by combating the opposition his extreme views have aroused among conservative people." "You are mistaken, Whitney," replied the doctor. "Hampden's views are sound. He is misrepresented by the highly placed rascals he has exposed and dislodged. But in these business matters we rely upon you." He linked his arm affectionately in that of the powerful and successful "captain of industry" whom he had known from boyhood. "I know how devoted you are to Tecumseh, and how ably you manage practical affairs; and I have not for a moment lost confidence that you will bring us safely through." Whitney's face was interesting. There was a certain hangdog look in it, but there was also a suggestion--very covert--of cynical amusement, as of a good player's jeer at a blunder by his opponent. His tone, however, was melancholy, tinged with just resentment, as he said: "Scarborough forgets how my own personal interest is involved. I don't like to lose two hundred and odd thousand a year." "Scarborough meant nothing, I'm sure," said Hargrave soothingly. "He knows we are all single hearted for the university." "I don't like to be distrusted," persisted Whitney sadly. Then brightening: "But you and I understand each other, doctor. And we will carry the business through. Every man who tries to do anything in this world must expect to be misunderstood." "You are mistaken about Scarborough, I know you are," said Hargrave earnestly.