at the
corners of his gray eyes, and his lips pushed out ever so slightly.
Presently he forgot all about the plans, and stared out of the window
where the first leap of the rapids was just visible.

"And your technical experience, Mr. Belding, tell me about that."

Belding told him, and did his best to dilate on work that now seemed of
a minor character. There was that about Clark which curiously
minimized the young man's accomplishments.

Clark nodded once or twice. "Do you owe any money?"

"No, sir." Belding's voice roughened a shade.

Came one of the stranger's rare and unmistakable smiles. "Forget all
about these plans and start new ones. I have no use for a thousand
horsepower, or five thousand, or ten. We will begin with twenty
thousand. I say begin with that. Now listen. You are appointed my
chief engineer. I said last night I did not wish to import that which
the town can furnish, and I mean it. But being my engineer you are
mine, and no one else's. The plans you will make are for me, and me
alone, as is all information connected with them, and I may tell you
that my engineers carry out my plans and not theirs. Your position
will be highly confidential, more important than you can at present
imagine. You will be the repository of much that many people would
like to know, but I will do whatever talking is necessary."

There were a few added instructions after which Belding went downstairs
in a somewhat dazed condition. Then, suddenly, he remembered that no
mention had been made of salary. Turning back he rapped at Clark's
door.

"There is one thing we did not discuss," he said a little awkwardly.

"What's that?"

"What are you willing to give me a month. I'm apparently engaged and
I'd like to know where I stand."

Clark laughed shortly. "My invariable practice is to pay every cent my
employees can earn; the more I pay the better I like it. Good evening."

Later that afternoon the engineer walked thoughtfully up to the power
canal. It seemed incredible that it should no longer be abandoned.
Staring at this uncompleted effort, he felt infused with a hot and
overwhelming loyalty. Whatever was good in him he would put into the
work. He did not dream of the magnitude of his coming trust, but had a
sensation that the curtain was about to rise on a new scene. He was,
perhaps, more than the rest impressed with the visitor's force and
hypnotic power which seemed prophetic and almost my