There it was clear that, whatever influence Luke’s enemies might have, they had issued no orders against him. Perhaps they had not thought of the possibility of his turning in this direction, perhaps they had meant to do no more than frighten him by their show of power with the banks. In any case, old Herbert Croy, the manager of the estate, was amiable and suggested that Forbes be sent for without delay. It was a moment of triumph for Luke. He met Forbes in one of the outer offices of the suite used for the administration of the Ruysdael estate, and he was not entirely sorry to find Forbes contrite. "Is it—it’s really true?" asked Forbes. He had been having a bad time. His face was drawn, and the feverish hand that grasped Luke’s was trembling. "Yes," said Luke. "I think I’ve induced Ruysdael to advance the money." Forbes looked away. "I’m sorry—very sorry for my attitude last night, Huber; and yet, you must have seen——" "That’s all right. Forget it." "I know. You’re good. But I do want you to understand. And you have turned out to be the real business man of the pair of us, after all!" "So it seems," said Luke dryly. Forbes missed the reflection on his own ability. "Oh, but you have! Huber, you’ve—you’ve saved the Business!" "No; that’s up to you. I’ve only made it possible for you to get the money. You have to finish convincing these people; so buck up." "I will, I will." "And they’ll probably turn in and fight us in the market." "We’ll see about that." All of Forbes’s courage had come back to him. "Let them try. Huber, I can’t thank you enough. I never can." "Then don’t try to." Luke took Forbes by the arm and led him to the door behind which Ruysdael and Croy were waiting. But Forbes felt that there was more to be said. "It was splendid of you," he continued, as Luke drew him forward. "Was it? You overlook the fact that I stood to lose a little money of my own—if nothing else!" "I did. I actually did! By Jove, I don’t see how you can forgive me, Huber." Luke’s answer was to push open the door. Within half an hour the interview was concluded. Forbes had deposited his securities and received a certified check. It was all so simple that, while Luke was wondering why he had not thought of it twelve hours before, Forbes was saying to himself: "How was it _I_ didn’t think of it last night?" §4. Luke intended to go from the Ruysdael offices to those of the League, but as he parted from Forbes on the street after the loan had been secured, something happened that changed his plans. At the foot of the elevator-shaft of the building, he noticed a little man leaning against the marble-paneled wall: the man was an unostentatious fellow, commonplace as to both face and clothes, but Luke thought he had seen the figure before.