harsh, he was tyrannical, treacherous even--in a large way, often
cynically ungrateful. But he knew how to lead, knew how to make men
forget all but the passion for victory, and follow him loyally.
Tavistock had seen his financial brain solve too many "unsolvable"
problems not to have confidence in it.

"I might have known!" he reflected. "Why, those fellows apparently
only scotched him. They got the Woolens Company away from him. He
lets it go without a murmur when he sees he's beaten, and he turns his
mind to grabbing a big railway as if Woolens had never existed."

Just after his elevated train passed Chatham Square on the way
down-town Tavistock suddenly slapped his leg with noisy energy and
exclaimed half-aloud, "By Jove, of course!" to the amusement of those
near him in the car. He went on to himself: "Why didn't I see it
before? Because it's so beautifully simple, like all the things the
big 'uns do. He's a wonder. So THAT'S what he's up to? Gad, what a
breeze there'll be next week!"

At eleven o'clock Doctor Sackett came into Dumont's bedroom, in arms
against his patient.

"You're acting like a lunatic. No business, I say--not for a week.
Absolute quiet, Mr. Dumont, or I'll not answer for the consequences."

"I see you want to drive me back into the fever," replied Dumont. "But
I'm bent on getting well. I need the medicine I've had this morning,
and Culver's bringing me another dose. If I'm not better when he
leaves, I agree to try your prescription of fret and fume."

"You are risking your life."

Dumont smiled. "Possibly. But I'm risking it for what's more than
life to me, my dear Sackett."

"You'll excite yourself. You'll----"

"On the contrary, I shall calm myself. I'm never so calm and cheerful
as when I'm fighting, unless it's when I'm getting ready to fight.
There's something inside me--I don't know what--but it won't let me
rest till it has pushed me into action. That's my nature. If any one
asks how I am, say you've no hope of my recovery."

"I shall tell only the truth in that case," said Sackett, but with
resignation--he was beginning to believe that for his extraordinary
patient extraordinary remedies might be best.

Dumont listened to Culver's report without interrupting him once.
Culver's position had theretofore been most disadvantageous to himself.
He had been too near to Dumont, had been merged in Dumont's big
personality. Whatever he did well seemed to Dumont me