"Then I am to understand that you refuse to grind my grain at any
price," said Ambrose.

"Orders are orders," murmured Strange.

"Has Gaviller given you this order since he knew the people were
hungry?"

"He has told me his mind many times."

"That is not a direct answer. Some one must take the full
responsibility. If I write a short note to Gaviller will you deliver
it and bring me back an answer?"

Strange hesitated for the fraction of a second. "Yes," he said.

Ambrose wrote a succinct statement of the situation, and Strange
departed.

"Gaviller will never do it," said Simon.

"I don't expect him to," said Ambrose. "But he's got to commit
himself."

In due course Strange returned. He offered Ambrose a note, still with
his deprecating air. It was in Colina's writing. Ambrose read:

"John Gaviller begs to inform Mr. Ambrose Doane that the only proposal
he is willing to discuss will be the sale to him of all the grain in
Mr. Doane's possession at one dollar and a half per bushel. In such an
event he will also be willing to purchase Mr. Doane's entire outfit of
goods at cost. It will be useless for Mr. Doane to address him further
in any other connection.

"Enterprise House, September 3."

Ambrose stood reflecting with the note in his hand. For a single
moment his heart failed him. His inexperience was appalled by the
weight of the decision he had to make.

Oh, for Peter Minot's strong, humorous sense at this crisis! The
thought of Peter nerved him. Peter had taken it for granted that he
would make good. Ambrose remembered the sacrifices Peter had
cheerfully made to finance this expedition.

To accept John Gaviller's contemptuous offer would not only be to
confess a humiliating failure, it would mean pocketing a loss that
would cripple the young firm for the time being.

Peter would say: "Lose it if you must, but lose it fighting." This
thought was like an inspiration to Ambrose. His jaw stiffened, and a
measure of serenity returned to his eyes. He passed the note to Simon.

"Read it," he said coolly, "and save it. It may be useful as evidence,
later."

A subtle change passed over Gordon Strange's face. For the moment he
was pure Indian. Quickly veiling his eyes, he asked with an innocent
air: "What does Mr. Gaviller say?"

This was too much for Ambrose to stomach. "You know damned well what
he says!" he answered scornfully.

Strange swallowed it. "Is there any answer?