eed!" replied he.

"What worse could he have done?"

"I'll not tell you," said Victor. "I'd not venture to say aloud such a
dangerous thing as what I'd have done if I had been in his place.
Instead of doing that, he made us. We shall win this fall's election."

Selma lifted her head with a sudden gesture of hope. She had unbounded
confidence in Victor Dorn, and his tone was the tone of absolute
confidence.

"I had calculated on winning in five years. I had left the brutal
stupidity of our friend Kelly out of account."

"Then you see how you can hold meetings and start up the paper?"

"I don't want to do either," said Victor. "I want those injunctions to
stand. Those fools have done at a stroke what we couldn't have done in
years. They have united the working class. They--the few--have
forbidden us, the many, to unite or to speak. If those injunctions hold
for a month, nothing could stop our winning this fall.... I can't
understand how Dick Kelly could be so stupid. Five years ago these
moves of his would have been bad for us--yes, even three years ago.
But we've got too strong--and he doesn't realize! Selma, when you want
to win, always pray that your opponent will underestimate you."

"I still don't understand," said Selma. "None of us does. You must
explain to me, so that I'll know what to do."

"Do nothing," said Victor. "I shall be out a week from to-day. I
shall not go into the streets until I not only am well but look well."

"They arrested Tom Colman to-day," said Selma. "But they put the case
over until you'd be able to plead at the same time."

"That's right," said Victor. "They are playing into our hands!" And
he laughed as heartily as his bandages would permit.

"Oh, I don't understand--I don't understand at all!" cried Selma.
"Maybe you are all wrong about it."

"I was never more certain in my life," replied Victor. "Stop worrying
about it, my dear." And he patted her hands gently as they lay folded
in her lap. "I want you--all our people--to go round looking sad these
next few days. I want Dick Kelly to feel that he is on the right
track."

There came a knock at the door, and Mrs. Colman entered. She had been
a school teacher, and of all the occupations there is no other that
leaves such plain, such indelible traces upon manner, mind and soul.
Said she:

"Miss Jane Hastings is outside in her carriage--and wants to know if
she can see you."

Selma frowned. Victor said