ad been silent because he wanted
to let Stormont reveal his plans. The latter, however, obviously meant
to leave the argument to his dupes. Agatha, noting his confidence,
remembered that when they reached the office he had asked her to wait a
few minutes while he talked to the secretary.

"Mr. Stormont made two rash statements," he said. "He told us the
reserved shares could not be sold, and that he could count upon a
majority."

"I object to Mr. Thirlwell's speaking," Stormont said with some alarm.
"We allowed him to stay at Miss Strange's request, but the manager has
no vote."

"I imagine Mr. Stormont doesn't know I am a shareholder. Perhaps the
secretary will enlighten him."

Stormont started, Scott smiled, and George looked surprised. The others
waited anxiously.

"Mr. Thirlwell holds a quantity of our stock."

"How much?" Stormont asked, and when the secretary told him, struggled
to preserve his calm.

"The reserved block is sold," Thirlwell resumed. "I bought the shares
half an hour since for myself and a friend of mine." He paused and put a
stamped document on the table. "Here's my authority to use the proxy
votes."

He sat down and Scott remarked: "I think Mr. Stormont will admit that
the majority has, so to speak, changed sides!"

Stormont examined the register, and then stood by his chair with his
fist clenched. He said nothing, his supporters looked embarrassed, and
Agatha saw that Thirlwell had saved the situation. Her heart beat with
confused emotion; she had known he would not fail her.

"Well," said George, rather dryly, "do you still demand a meeting?"

"Certainly not," said Gardner with frank relief, and the others murmured
agreement. Then he turned to Agatha: "I'd like you to understand that we
took the line we did because it seemed the only plan. Now, however,
there's no necessity for making the combine."

Stormont gave him a savage look. "This means that you and the others
turn me down?"

"It means that we want to save our money," Gardner replied, and
Stormont, who said nothing, walked out of the room.

His friends seemed relieved when he left and began to talk to Agatha and
George in apologetic tones. One or two, however, looked thoughtful, and
presently Gardner said: "Mr. Thirlwell has removed the obstacle that
bothered us most and I mean to keep my stock, although I expect it will
be some time before I get a dividend."

"Not as long as you think!" Thirlwell remarked.

"Then y