ilmer glanced at his
alert but motionless figure, and perceived that the other was a man of
much greater experience and power than himself, and in this the mayor
was subject to exactly that influence which Clark was in the habit of
exerting without any effort whatever. So thus reinforced, and mindful
as well that the half yearly interest and sinking fund payments would
be due on the town debt in three months, he fastened an authoritative
eye on Manson, the town pessimist, and commenced.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have asked you to come here to-night because
it seems that there is now an unexpected opportunity to secure great
benefit for the town. You are all aware that we tried to do something
and failed, and that the result was an increase of one hundred and
thirty thousand dollars in the debt of St. Marys." At this point
Manson rammed his oak stick against the floor with disturbing effect.
The mayor glanced at him with a smile and went on. "I do not wish to
put before you the proposal Mr. Clark makes to the town, he will do
that himself. I can only say that I have gone into it very carefully
with him, and that I am satisfied that it is more than fair to us, and
that I believe he is in control of the necessary money to carry out his
plans. If he does not carry them out we are no worse off, and if he
does it will put St. Marys definitely on the map. He will speak for
himself and I hope you will give a careful hearing, for I don't believe
such men get off the train every day."

Clark was on his feet at once and began to talk in a curt, incisive
tone of great penetration. Behind it there moved a suggestion of
something quite new to the folk of St. Marys. The moment offered no
opportunity to analyze this, but it held them motionless with attention.

"I have come," he said, "to make you a proposal which has already been
put before Mayor Filmer, and which I am glad to tell you meets with his
approval. I appreciate the opportunity, and with your cooeperation
great things will yet be done in St. Marys. Now I am going to ask that
two windows be opened and that you listen with me for a moment."

There followed an instant of universal surprise shared by the mayor,
after which Clark gathered Dawson and Belding with his magnetic eye,
and the two pushed up the windows nearest them. The cool night air
breathed in and set the big oil lamps flickering, but with it there
came the dull monotone of the rapids. Clark leaned