"I suppose I must."

"He will be a heavy handicap to you, boy. Is there no other way?"

"I see no other way," Jack replied. "I will give him a trial. Shall I
bring him in?"

"Bring him in."

In a minute or two Jack returned with Tony. As Maitland's eyes fell upon
him, he could not prevent a start of shocked surprise.

"Why, Tony!" he exclaimed. "What in all the world is wrong with you? You
are ill." Trembling, pale, obviously unstrung, Tony stood before him,
his shifty eyes darting now at one face, then at the other, his hands
restless, his whole appearance suggesting an imminent nervous collapse.
"Why, Tony, boy, what is wrong with you?" repeated Maitland. The kindly
tone proved too much for Tony's self-control. He gulped, choked, and
stood speechless, his eyes cast down to the floor.

"Sit down, Tony," said Maitland. "Give him a chair, Jack."

But Jack said, "He doesn't need a chair. He is not here for a visit. You
wanted to say something to him, did you not?" Jack's dry, matter-of-fact
and slightly contemptuous tone had an instant and extraordinary effect
upon the wretched man beside him.

Instantly, Tony stiffened up. His head went back, he cast a swift glance
at Jack's face, whose smile, slightly quizzical, slightly contemptuous,
appeared to bite into his vitals. A hot flame of colour swept his pale
and pasty face.

"I want a job, sir," he said, in a tone low and fierce, looking straight
at Mr. Maitland.

Maitland, taking his cue from his son, replied in a quiet voice: "Can
you hold a job?"

"God knows," said Tony.

"He does," replied Maitland, "but what about you?"

Tony stood for a few moments saying nothing, darting uncertain glances
now and then at Jack, on whose face still lingered the smile which Tony
found so disturbing.

"If you want work," continued Mr. Maitland, "and want to make it go,
Tony, you can go with Jack. He will give it to you."

"Jack!" exclaimed Tony. His face was a study. Uncertainty, fear, hope,
disappointment were all there.

"Yes, Jack," said Mr. Maitland. "He is manager in these works now."

Tony threw back his head and laughed. "I guess I will have to work,
then," he said.

"You just bet you will, Tony," replied Jack. "Come along, we will go."

"Where?"

"I am taking you home. See you to-night, sir," Jack added, nodding to
his father.

The two young men passed out together to the car.

"Yes, Tony," said Jack, "I have taken over your job."

"My job? What do