As Mr. Higginson's whole fortune was in the business, his income was now next to nothing; but Halloran believed he could hold out six months or so longer. On the other hand, he did not think Bigelow could last so long at the head of a losing venture. Indeed, if for one moment of those tense days he had lost his belief that Bigelow could be beaten, Halloran would have dropped out of this story on this page. One evening Doctor Brown received a call from the Manager. “Now, Doctor,” said Halloran, when they were seated in the office, “what can you tell me about Mr. Higginson? Is he better?” The physician shook his head. “No--no better.” “You consider his case serious?” “Yes,”--gravely--“it is serious.” “I will tell you, Doctor--for you must understand it before you can answer me--that the business is in a situation that demands his attention if he is able to give it--even for five minutes.” Doctor Brown shook his head again. “Could I not lay a decision before him, Doctor, if I make it as clear and simple as possible?” “No; a decision would be the last thing to bother him with.” Halloran sat thinking. This was difficult--very difficult, indeed. Shutting down another man's mills without his knowledge was not the sort of thing he liked to do. The physician spoke again: “His mind _must_ have a rest, Mr. Halloran; that is the only way we can save him.” This was final, and Halloran went out to return to his room and pore again over accounts and statements, to think again of Bigelow, to grope again for those ideas that seemed so nearly what he wanted. For another week he watched the expense account mounting up; then one day he sent for Crosman to come to his office. “Mr. Crosman,” he said, “the mills will shut down Saturday night. Will you please see that the men are notified?” Crosman looked at Halloran for a moment to make sure that he understood; then with a puzzled expression he left the room. Later in the day he met Halloran in the yard. “Am I------ Do you want me to leave Saturday?” he asked, his voice full of emotion. “No,” the Manager replied shortly, “you stay; I want you.” That evening Halloran was at work in his room when Crosman came in. “I just happened around at Higginson's,” he said, evidently somewhat embarrassed, “and Mamie said that her father wants to see you.” “When--now?” “Yes, I believe so.” Halloran pushed aside his work with a thoughtful face. Presently he said: “If you are going back that way, I'll walk along with you.” The door was opened by Mamie herself. “Oh, Mr. Halloran,” she cried, “I don't know what to say. Father isn't well at all--he's so nervous and excitable. Doctor Brown told me this morning not to let him see you at all, but he says he must see you--he made me send Harry as soon as he got here. I haven't known what to do.”