Baxter had now immediately before him the task of opening the way for Foley to make the desired demand. "This strike has been going on over five weeks now," he began, watching the walking delegate's face for any expression significant that his words were having their effect. "You have been fixed in your position; we have been fixed in ours. Your union has lost about three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I won't say how much we've lost. We both seem to be as firmly fixed in our determination as ever. The strike may last all summer. The question is, do we both want to keep on losing money--indefinitely?" Foley did not take the opening. "That's the question," he said blandly. It was a few seconds before Baxter went on. "I judge that we do not. You have----" "Excuse me," said Foley, rising, "but I got weak eyes, an' this light hurts 'em. Suppose me an' youse changes chairs." He calmly stepped over to Baxter's side and waited. There was nothing for Baxter but to yield the seat, which he did. Foley sat down, tilted back against the window sill, and hooked his heels over a chair rung. "Your union has perhaps a million dollars at stake," Baxter continued at the same even pitch. "We have--a great deal, and the owners stand to lose heavily. If by talking an hour we can devise a plan by which this can be saved, it's worth while, is it not?" "Sure. Speakin' as an individual, I'm willin' to talk twice as long for half as much," Foley drawled. There was a silence. The three men, their elbows on the polished table, looked on as though spectators at a play. "I wonder if you have anything to propose?" asked Baxter guardedly. "Me? I come to use my ears, not my tongue." The two men watched each other narrowly. The advantage, if there could be advantage in the case of two faces under perfect control, was all with Foley. The contractor had caught no sign revealing whether his insinuative words were having effect. "But you perhaps have thought of some plan that is worth considering," he went on. Foley hesitated, for the first time. "Well--yes." "What is it?" "I----" He broke off, and seemed to listen with suspicion. Baxter's face quickened--the least trifle. The three men leaned further across the table, excitement tugging in their faces. "You are perfectly safe," Baxter assured him. "No one can hear." "The plan's dead simple. But mebbe it's occurred to youse." "Go on!" said Baxter. The men hardly breathed. "The quickest way o' settlin' the strike is for"--he paused--"youse bosses to give in." Baxter's face went a little pale. Something very like a snarl came from the spectators. Foley gave a prolonged chuckle. "If youse'll pay me for my time, I'm willin' to play tag in the dark so long's the coin lasts. But if youse ain't, come to business, or I'll go." "I don't understand," returned Baxter blankly. "Oh, tell the truth now an' then, Baxter. It sorter gives contrast to the other things youse say. Youse understand all right enough."