lp the town any, would it? I want you to trust me about this.
There's no question of newspaper enterprise involved; but there is a
chance for you to serve the community. The very fact that you have never
been friendly to the Holtons will give additional weight to what you
print to-day. I'm not asking you to smother this talk as a favor to me,
but for the good of the town--all of us. And I believe you're big enough
and broad enough to see it."

Barker was reluctant to yield. His paper was one of the most influential
country papers in the state. He was proud of its reputation and anxious
to do nothing that would injure its hard-won prestige.

"That's all right, Kirkwood, but how about that swindling construction
company the Holtons worked as a side line? The bad service the company
has given from the start pretty nearly proves that there was crooked
work there. How do you get around that?"

"You'll have to believe what I say, that we will handle it all to the
satisfaction of the public. But smashing a bank won't help any. We're
trying to manage in such way that no innocent party will suffer."

"Well, there's nothing innocent about these Holtons. Sam died and got
out of it, but Will and this young Charlie are off the same block. And
now Jack's come back to make trouble for them. I don't see myself
jumping in to protect these fellows; if they've got themselves in a
hole, let them wiggle out."

"You're not talking like a reasonable human being, Barker. Try to
overcome personal prejudices. Just remember that several hundred
people--our friends and neighbors--are going to be hurt if the bank
fails. I've just headed off Waterman. He was about to bring suit for a
receiver on behalf of one of the local bondholders on the ground of
mismanagement. That would be a mistake. It's in our plans to bring up
the road's efficiency at once. The trustee is in a position to do that.
I want you to help me quiet these disturbing rumors. If I didn't believe
it would all come out right, I'd tell you so very frankly."

Barker shrugged his shoulders and walked to his desk. He read Phil's
introduction and the accompanying statement with Kirkwood's name
attached.

"All right, Tom. But remember that this is personal to you; I wouldn't
do it for any other man on earth."

"You're doing it for the town, Barker. We're all friends and neighbors
here; and I give you my word that you won't regret it. I've got to run,
Phil. Sorry; but I'll be back in