"What do you mean by saying that the widow has a thousand dollars to her credit?" the sheriff asks. "I mean that she has this thousand dollars," and Trueman drew the check from his pocket. "It is to be placed to her credit. I have something to say about the company stores." "I shall take this business direct to Mr. Purdy," the sheriff threatens as he walks off. The miners and their wives who have witnessed the quarrel between Trueman and Marlin give expression to their feelings in whispered words of praise for the young lawyer who bid defiance to the Sheriff of Luzerne County, the most dreaded man in that part of Pennsylvania. The widow grasps Harvey's hand and before he can withdraw it she covers it with kisses. Her tears of gratitude fall on his hand. He appreciates that it is but tardy justice that he is doing to the poor woman. "You need have no fear of being turned out of your home," he tells her. Then he springs back into the saddle. "Come, Ethel, let us start for home." The ride is finished in silence. Neither Harvey nor Ethel feels in the mood to talk. On reaching the Purdy mansion the riders dismount, and go at once to the library, where Gorman Purely is waiting for them. "Harvey, I am surprised that you should interfere with my orders," is Mr. Purdy's salutation. "Sheriff Marlin has just telephoned me. He tells me that you opposed his evicting the widow, and that the miners are now likely to make serious trouble. This is the second time to-day you have attempted to defeat my plans. I cannot understand what object you have in antagonizing me." "You certainly misunderstand my motives," replies Trueman. "It is because I have your interests at heart that I cannot see you pursue a course that will lead to disastrous consequences." "Do you put your judgment above mine?" asks the Coal King, sarcastically. "In ordinary business matters, in affairs of finance and in the conduct of the mines I should not presume to dispute your judgment. But on the propriety of assembling the Coal and Iron Police and of evicting a woman who has the sympathy of the entire mining district I believe that I am better able to judge of the effect these acts will have than you are, for I come into close contact with the people." "The sheriff tells me you have placed a thousand dollars to the credit of the widow at the Company's store. Is this so?" "I intend to do so." "It shall not be done, sir, not if I have the power to prevent it," declares the Coal King emphatically, rising and pacing the floor. "You must be out of your mind to make such a move, now, of all times, to offer encouragement to the lawless element." "He did nothing wrong," interposes Ethel. "He prevented the sheriff and his men from injuring the woman and her child." "Not another word!" Gorman Purdy speaks in a tone he has never employed when addressing his daughter.