THE 
 STEERING 
 
 ROBERT ALEXANDER WASON
 
 THE STEERING WHEEL
 
 "This is the very finest gathering I ever attended"
 
 THE 
 
 STEERING WHEEL 
 
 By 
 ROBERT ALEXANDER WASON 
 
 Illustrated by 
 PAUL J. MEYLAN 
 
 All the world's a car, and all the men and 
 women would-be chauffeurs 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP 
 
 PUBLISHERS
 
 COPYRIGHT 1910 
 THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
 
 Private affairs, important enough in themselves, 
 are merely the cogs and valves of some large 
 car of destiny. As this car tears along the 
 difficult road of circumstance, much depends 
 on the hands that hold the steering wheel. 
 It is the struggle for the control of this wheel 
 which goes to make up the larger dramas of life. 
 
 2138684
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I DICK ARRIVES i 
 
 II UNCLE RICHARD TAKES NOTICE n 
 
 III THE SERVANTS TAKE NOTICE .... 19 
 
 IV EVEN THE GUESTS TAKE NOTICE ... 29 
 V MULLIGAN, VOLUNTEER CHAUFFEUR ... 39 
 
 VI Miss BURTON AT THE WHEEL .... 57 
 
 VII THE MACHINE SKIDS 69 
 
 VIII UNCLE RICHARD PICKS THE PATH 81 
 
 IX DICK VETOES THE CHOICE ..... 90 
 
 X A ROYAL BIT OF ROAD ...... 101 
 
 XI THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL , . " T~~~ '. 115 
 XII A SICK UNCLE AND A SPITE FENCE . . .128 
 
 XIII EMIL TAKES UNCLE RICHARD A SPIN . . 142 
 
 XIV UNCLE RICHARD COLLIDES 156 
 
 XV LORRAIN SCATTERS TACKS 165 
 
 XVI DICK STEERS: CUPID PICKS THE PATH . . 172 
 XVII IVAN CRAWLS UNDER THE MACHINE . . .183 
 
 XVIII CLASHES AND CRASHES 195 
 
 XIX THE MACHINE RUNS OVER IVAN AND EMIL . 207 
 
 XX THE ROVERS RETURN 219 
 
 XXI DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 228 
 
 XXII COMRADES STILL 241 
 
 XXIII LEARNING THE LEVERS 253 
 
 XXIV JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 266 
 
 XXV STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD .... 279 
 
 XXVI A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 295 
 
 XXVII ENTERING THE STRETCH 309 
 
 XXVIII FORGING AHEAD 323 
 
 XXIX VICTORY IN SIGHT 337 
 
 XXX CROWDED AT THE TURN 351 
 
 XXXI THE STRUGGLE FOR THE WHEEL . . . 366 
 
 XXXII AN EXPLOSION 375 
 
 XXXIII AT THE WHEEL OF THE SUPER-CAR . . .387
 
 THE STEERING WHEEL
 
 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 DICK ARRIVES 
 
 BAXXIXGTON PARK, comprising fifteen acres, 
 is situated in the second rise of the Jersey Hills. 
 Landscape artists had not been called on to add to its 
 natural beauty to any great extent, and the ancient 
 trees had fought their own way into an exalted station, 
 where they reigned in dignified complacency. 
 
 In front of the large square brick house, the lawn 
 was well kept, and the box hedge which surrounded the 
 entire place was luxuriant and fairly well trimmed, but 
 there were few flowers and these were of the sturdier 
 and simpler kinds. Other country homes were clus- 
 tered along the well-kept road, or, rather, street, which 
 continued into Minster, and the entire neighborhood 
 suggested discriminating content and comfortable in- 
 dependence. 
 
 Richard Bannington was a name of national famil- 
 iarity, and yet the man himself was known to but very 
 few. He had been written up and he had been written 
 down; but there was nothing to indicate that all this 
 very skilful writing had given him a moment's irrita- 
 
 I
 
 2 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 tion or modified to the slightest degree a single one of 
 his actions. 
 
 On this July morning, he was pacing up and down 
 the library and, as was his custom, talking to himself 
 in a low and somewhat grumbling tone. "I'll be glad 
 to see the young scamp again," he said, as he paused at 
 a window overlooking the driveway. "Come to think 
 of it, I haven't seen much of him since he went to col- 
 lege. Haven't quite lost track of him, though. If the 
 young cub can only earn money one-half as easily as 
 he spends it, he'll be a big help to me Well, what do 
 you want?" to a tall, dry-looking footman in dingy 
 green livery, who had just entered. All the male serv- 
 ants at Bannington were tall and had the appearance 
 of having been seasoned in a dry-kiln, and of having 
 been kept in just a shade too long. 
 
 "If you please, sir," answered the footman, "the 
 carriage broke down." 
 
 "Broke down? On such a morning as this! Don't 
 you know enough to see that things are in good order 
 when you know that they are going to be needed ?" 
 
 "The coachman told you over a month ago, sir " 
 began the footman, but was interrupted by a hasty 
 wave of the hand. 
 
 "Never mind it'll be all the better," said Mr. Ban- 
 nington, pursing up his thin lips. "It will give me a 
 chance to see what kind of rig he hires to drive out in. 1 
 Tell the coachman to have the carriage put in good 
 order and next time not to bother me with such de- 
 tails." 
 
 The footman bowed and withdrew, and Richard
 
 DICK ARRIVES 3 
 
 continued to talk to himself : "I hope he's not like most 
 of these college fellows. But that trip around the world 
 should have put a finish on him. Hope it has. I could 
 never stand it if he was one of these strolling clothes- 
 forms. Not much fear of that, though. Probably has 
 the same cool, calculating, practical head his father 
 had. By gad, I do hope he has ideas, and is ready to 
 pitch in and help me fight Burton. I hate to tell him 
 how hard put to it the old Bannington Plant is." 
 
 His brows were drawn down in a fierce scowl and a 
 weary droop came to his mouth for a moment ; but he 
 shook it off with a toss of his head and with a dry, 
 throaty chuckle, continued : "I wonder if he will stand 
 driving as well as I did. His father was only two years 
 older than I, but land, how he did goad me through a 
 stint of work. I'll not be too hard on the boy, but I'll 
 not stand much nonsense, either. I can't see why it 
 should take four times as long to change from a boy 
 to a man nowadays as it did fifty years ago. He'll 
 have to make a quick job of it. I need him and he has 
 to make good. The trouble is that these rich men's 
 sons are pampered and fussed over until Well, what 
 is it?" to the butler who had entered noiselessly and 
 was standing in a respectful posture. 
 
 "Shall I give orders, sir, to have Mr. Dick's bath 
 drawn as soon as he comes into sight?" inquired Hig- 
 gins. 
 
 "Now, see here, Higgins," replied Richard Ban- 
 nington severely, "Mr. Dick is twenty-four years old, 
 and if he hasn't sense enough to tell when he needs a 
 bath and how to get one when he does need it, why
 
 4 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 I'll get a governess for him; but I want you to treat 
 him as though he were a full-grown man a full- 
 grown man. Understand?" 
 
 Higgins bowed apologetically : "I only thought, sir, 
 that bein' as 'ow Mr. Dick 'ad been away for so long 
 around the world and over in China and Africa and 
 India and " 
 
 "That will do," interrupted Bannington. "I am not 
 interested in hearing the unabridged directory of the 
 earth." 
 
 "And you don't think, then, that I need to 'ave 'is 
 bath drawn, sir ?" persisted Higgins. 
 
 "Hang it, no!" exclaimed Mr. Dick's uncle. "He 
 has probably stopped long enough along the route to 
 take a bath. If not, they'll give him one in quarantine. 
 Now clear out ! Wait, come back here. When he does 
 come, I want all the servants drawn up at the steps to 
 receive him. He is bringing some titled foreigners 
 back with him, and I want to show them that we can 
 do the thing right, if we want to though it's all 
 idiotic nonsense. I don't want you to show that it is 
 idiotic nonsense, though; I want you to do things in 
 some style. That's all." 
 
 It was plainly evident from his actions, that Mr. 
 Bannington was a man who had little patience with 
 nervous people. He was himself nervous this morning 
 and it was easy to see that he was also disgusted with 
 himself. He picked up the morning paper, glanced at 
 it, threw it down, looked at his watch, saw that less 
 than a quarter of an hour had elapsed since he had last 
 looked at it, and made a motion as if also to throw the
 
 DICK ARRIVES 5 
 
 watch down ; but changed his mind and strolled over to 
 the window instead. 
 
 "I wish that boy would come!" he muttered. "It 
 seems to me as if I have been waiting for him ever 
 since the day I sent him off to boarding-school. I don't 
 see how I could think any more of him if he really 
 were my own son. If that boy disappoints me, I'll 
 well it's pretty hard to say just what I would do. It's 
 two years now since I've seen him. Two years can 
 make a terrible change. I don't like this nobility busi- 
 ness. I don't want the boy to be a snob. That is always 
 the trouble with the second generation : the first genera- 
 tion does the hustling, corners up a bunch of money, 
 and the second generation gets a college education, a 
 smattering of culture, a jumbled collection of fads and 
 fashions, and then they want to become idle aristocrats. 
 None of that for Dick he comes from a working 
 stock, and he has his own work to do. I swear, I'd 
 sooner lose everything and see him start out at the bot- 
 tom than to have him get the notion that he's some- 
 thing better than common people. Not much danger 
 of that, though ; this is the common man's country and 
 Dick will fit into it all right." 
 
 Mr. Bannington looked at the pictures on the walls, 
 read over the titles on the books, and demonstrated the 
 other symptoms of a busy man being forced to wait. 
 Finally he walked into the hall and met the maid with 
 a huge bouquet in her hands. The maid was not of the 
 same order as the male servants. She was fresh and 
 attractive, and had the appearance of one who found 
 the world quite amusing and much to her liking.
 
 6 THE STEERING [WHEEB 
 
 "What are you going to do with those flowers ?" asKe'd 
 Mr. Bannington. 
 
 "I am going to put them in Mr. Dick's room, sir," 
 she answered. 
 
 "Stuff and nonsense !" he exclaimed. "Now, I want 
 his room kept clean and comfortable, but he's not a 
 school-girl, and I don't want any foolish frills. Put 'em 
 in the dining-room." 
 
 The maid gave her head a toss as she turned to carry 
 out this order, and her master strolled awkwardly up 
 and down the hall for a few minutes. When he re- 
 turned to the library, he noticed his entire domestic 
 staff gathered at the foot of the front steps, and his 
 face lighted in anticipation. 
 
 "He must have been sighted !" he exclaimed. "Hang 
 it, I'll wager they don't look like real servants too 
 human a grin on every face. What's the difference? 
 It will be a good thing to let his foreign friends see 
 right at the start that in this country we pay more at- 
 tention to the realities than we do to the trimmings. 
 He picked out the hack fifty cents apiece that's a 
 good sign ! 
 
 "By George, the boy has filled out ! He looks like a 
 man; but what is he doing? He's shaking hands with 
 the coachman, he's shaking hands with the cook ! Good 
 Lord ! I thought he was going to kiss the maid. Now 
 he's shaking hands with old Nixon, the gardener ; and 
 hanged if he isn't introducing his quality friends! 
 Queer looking quality, too." 
 
 The old man raised the window and in a voice whicfi 
 shook a little from excitement, called, "Here, Dick;
 
 DICK ARRIVES 7 
 
 stop that confounded nonsense and come in and speak 
 to me. 
 
 "It looks to me as if he had joined a show," he 
 grumbled as he turned to the door to meet his nephew. 
 "From the very day that child came into the world, he 
 has been a constant surprise to me !" 
 
 The next moment Dick, his brown face shining with 
 health and the joy of a long deferred home-coming, 
 burst into the room, seized his uncle's hand and shook 
 it vigorously, backed off a few steps, surveyed him 
 critically, pounced on the hand once more and after 
 another vigorous shaking, exclaimed : "By Jing, Uncle, 
 you are in corking form ! I never saw you looking bet- 
 ter. Maybe a pound or so too fine, but this is hot 
 weather and there is no use lugging around a lot of 
 surplus fat." 
 
 The elder man's face had broken into involuntary 
 smiles at the boy's breeziness ; but the twinkling wel- 
 come in his eyes shone through an unsuspected mist. 
 He had staked a good part of himself on the task of 
 bringing this boy through to manhood, and it affected 
 him more than he cared to show, when he looked into 
 the clear, steady, brown eyes and noted the open cour- 
 age with which they returned his glance. 
 
 "I'm mighty glad you're back, Dick," he said 
 gravely. "You're looking well. Are you ready to pitch 
 in and work?" 
 
 "Play that bet open, Uncle, and you'll win a for- 
 tune," answered Dick enthusiastically. "I am strong 
 for the life of toil, and I want to begin right away." 
 
 "That's right ! By George, Dick, you've taken a load
 
 8 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 off my mind. I was afraid you might come back with 
 a lot of nonsense in your head." Bannington smiled 
 benignly and a trifle apologetically. 
 
 "Never fear," replied Dick seriously. "I have had 
 my fling, and now that I have found my life-work, I 
 want to begin on it without a moment's waste. But 
 let me present my friends. This is Claude Lorrain; 
 he is a count of one of the most ancient French fam- 
 ilies, but has cast aside his title and entire patrimony 
 in order to devote himself to his fellow-men." 
 
 Lorrain bowed gracefully and held out a white slen- 
 der hand as he said, with a very slight accent, "I am 
 rejoiced to meet the uncle of my best friend. I have 
 heard so much of monsieur's good qualities that al- 
 ready he seems like an old friend, also." 
 
 Mr. Bannington's brows had drawn together as he 
 scrutinized Lorrain critically. "I am always glad to 
 meet one of Dick's friends," he said in a voice which 
 held a faint trace of reserve, "but a little later I want 
 to learn more of this casting aside business. Doesn't 
 sound practical to me." 
 
 "And this is Emil Birkhead, Uncle," continued Dick. 
 "You'll be sure to like him. He talks like a double- 
 entry ledger." 
 
 It was evident that the stolid German found more 
 favor and there was no reservation in the hearty hand- 
 shake he received. "You don't look to me like a man 
 who has given away his birthright," said Bannington 
 dryly. 
 
 "It is impossible for a man his birthright to give 
 away," replied the German as though from a platform.
 
 DICK ARRIVES 9 
 
 "My birthright entitles me to a little less than one 
 billionth of the earth's yearly production of wealth. 
 Grab I more, I become a robber, accept I less, I am 
 a fool. That is, I am a fool unless I " 
 
 "And this is Ivan Michaelowski, Uncle," interrupted 
 Dick. "Here is a genuine Russian peasant who speaks 
 and writes seven languages, and is one of the keenest 
 reasoners you ever met. You'll like him, I know." 
 
 The Russian was a tall lean man with straight black 
 hair worn rather long. His expression was tense in 
 its gravity and his deep eyes burned with the fire of 
 a consuming purpose, and yet a twinkle of amusement 
 flashed in Richard Bannington's eyes as he offered his 
 hand. "I am glad to meet you," he said, and the Rus- 
 sian merely bowed. 
 
 "And now, Higgins," said Dick to the butler, "show 
 my friends to their rooms at once." 
 
 Higgins led the way into the hall and up the stairs, 
 holding his small head very high and oozing supercil- 
 iousness at every pore. The elder Bannington fol- 
 lowed them with his eyes until they disappeared, and 
 then he asked gravely, "Is this the entire troupe, Dick, 
 or will the balance arrive shortly ?" 
 
 Dick laughed good humoredly. "This is the entire 
 troupe, Uncle, and I'm not surprised that they strike 
 you as being a little peculiar. They are out of the 
 ordinary. They are men of remarkable attainment. 
 I have spent the entire last year with them and I con- 
 sider it my post-graduate course and of more im- 
 portance than my entire university education." 
 
 "Who footed the bills, Dick?" asked his uncle.
 
 io THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Well, I looked upon them as special instructors, 
 you know ; so I felt v it my duty to settle most of the 
 bills." 
 
 "Didn't have to fight much to have your own way, 
 did you?" 
 
 "At first they objected, but I finally talked them 
 around," answered Dick, staunchly striving to avoid 
 the appearance of making an apology, which he felt 
 was in no measure due. 
 
 For a moment Richard Bannington maintained his 
 expression of mild interest and then his shrewd face 
 relaxed into an amused smile. "You must be a most 
 convincing talker, Dick, a most convincing talker. I 
 have been honoring your checks, you know."
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 UNCLE RICHARD TAKES NOTICE 
 
 BANNINGTON was loyal: a surprisingly 
 large number of other words might be used to 
 describe other phases of his versatile personality, but 
 the mainspring of most of his actions was loyalty. 
 Many of his private problems came from clashes be- 
 tween old loyalties and new; but as Dick was still 
 filled with the boyish delight in the limitless variety 
 which smiled on him from every side, he seldom went 
 to the bottom of things and so was scarcely conscious 
 of the power which his own active fidelity held over 
 him. He was an enthusiastic believer in free-will and 
 would have vehemently resented the theory that he was 
 not ruled by cold, calculating reason, instead of having 
 his every action biased by his own deep-seated loyalty. 
 
 Dick felt things keenly and quickly, and as he caught 
 the sarcasm in his uncle's voice his loyalty to his new 
 friends impelled him to their instant defense, while 
 his more seasoned loyalty to his uncle restrained him 
 from taking sides against him. Dick found a dis- 
 tressing number of rocks and whirlpools in his naviga- 
 tion of the sea of life. 
 
 "I think, taking everything into consideration, that 
 the expenses of my tour of the world were extremely 
 moderate," he said slowly and with much dignity. 
 
 II
 
 12 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 An amused smile played behind the keen fea- 
 tures of his uncle, without quite making its appearance 
 on the surface. "Yes," he responded gravely, "taking 
 everything into consideration, your expenses were mod- 
 erate; but I am rather of the opinion that there are 
 three things which I wish you had not taken into con- 
 sideration. But that's all right, Dick. You've had 
 your education and your trip. Now, then, when will 
 you be ready to start to work?" 
 
 "I have already started to work ; for, in sober truth, 
 Uncle, this last year has been spent in preparing for 
 and planning my life-work." 
 
 "I'm glad to see you in earnest, Dick; but I'm always 
 a bit suspicious of that 'life- work' talk, and you've used 
 it several times already. As a general rule, when any 
 one is about to launch on some sort of freakish ad- 
 venture, he calls it a 'life-work/ I'd a little sooner 
 you hitched the words other end to. Your work- 
 life is about to begin and I hope you are good and ready 
 for it. When will you be ready, Dick, to start your 
 education in the Bannington Steel Plant?" 
 
 The loyalty which Dick felt called on to feel for the 
 steel plant was now presenting its side of the case, and 
 his eyes fell to the carpet, which he appeared to study 
 thoroughly. "I haven't thought of this for years," he 
 answered slowly. "To tell you the truth, Uncle, I 
 don't like the steel business." 
 
 "You don't, huh?" exclaimed that gentleman 
 sharply. "Well, it has done a heap for you, and now it 
 is up to you to do something for it. What do you think 
 life is? One continuous vacation ? You have been per-
 
 UNCLE RICHARD TAKES NOTICE 13 
 
 fectly aware all your life that at twenty-five you were 
 to take your place in the plant, and since your father's 
 death, both your place and his. Think of your oppor- 
 tunities, Dick. You will have the controlling interest. 
 You will outweigh me. You Well, what in thunder 
 did you expect to do?" 
 
 "Oh, in a vague sort of way, I was resigned to going 
 into the plant, up to the last year or so," replied Dick, 
 as though confessing a fault, "but now it seems a 
 sordid sort of existence. I want to devote myself to 
 a broader field. I want work which will call forth 
 every atom of my energy physical, mental and 
 moral." 
 
 An expression of surprise* "bordering on disgust, 
 crossed the uncle's face. "Great Scott, boy! This is 
 exactly what the plant offers. It doesn't stop at offer- 
 ing; it demands it." He paused, fumbled with a 
 newspaper for a moment, and then resumed in a con- 
 ciliatory tone : "Have you ever heard of the National 
 Steel Mills, Dick?" 
 
 "Of course I have heard the name," answered Dick. 
 
 "It's just another name for William Burton just 
 another name for William Burton; and it's becoming 
 devilish stiff competition, Dick, devilish stiff competi- 
 tion. Hang it ! you seem to think that running a busi- 
 ness like this is something like riding on a merry-go- 
 round. Energy? You won't be troubled much to 
 find a place for all you have." 
 
 "Yes," granted Dick complaisantly, "but after all 
 it is the mere selfish piling-up of a private fortune." 
 
 "Is that all !" shouted Bannington. "Well, just you
 
 I 4 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 step into the harness and I'll be tickled to death to sit 
 down and watch the piling-up process for a while. It's 
 been a heap more than that with me. You make me 
 nervous you positively irritate me! And to think 
 that I have been counting the hours until your return. 
 Dick, I could but then I shan't hurry you. Look 
 about you for a week or ten days, and by that time per- 
 haps you will be ready to talk sense. But I've wasted 
 too much time already this morning, and I'm going 
 down to the office at once. We have dinner at six 
 o'clock." 
 
 He paused at the door as though he would say 
 something further, and then hurried across the hall and 
 out the side entrance. 
 
 Dick gazed after him in mild surprise for a moment 
 and then shook his head as he took a cigarette from his 
 case and lighted it with mechanical preoccupation. 
 "Poor old uncle !" he murmured. "What a rut a man 
 gets into when he devotes himself to a narrow pur- 
 pose! Well, I shall not be impatient. I shall explain 
 to him step by step until he is able to get the true pro- 
 portions and see life just as it is." 
 
 He turned to the window and looked reflectively on 
 the lawn as he smoked his cigarette philosophically. 
 Very much is indicated by the manner in which a cig- 
 arette is smoked. Dick seemed to justify the habit 
 through his manner of appearing to use cigarettes 
 merely for the inspiration he was able to draw from 
 them. His reverie was interrupted by the entrance of 
 the butler, and turning, he found Higgins smiling hap- 
 pily.
 
 UNCLE RICHARD TAKES NOTICE 15 
 
 "We are all glad to see you back, Mr. Dick," said 
 the butler bowing. "Is there anything I can do for you, 
 sir?" 
 
 Dick surveyed him critically for a moment. "Hig- 
 gins," he asked with easy familiarity, "what do you 
 do in the way of reading?" 
 
 In earlier life Higgins had held very exalted ideas 
 on formal decorum and the Bannington menage had 
 never responded to his ideals; but it is most probable 
 that no question had ever startled him more than this 
 one. "Reading, sir?" he repeated in a dazed voice. 
 "Why, I don't do very much reading, Mr. Dick. Parts 
 of the evening paper always, and now and then a good 
 love novel a genteel one, of course, dealing with the 
 affairs of real quality, sir." 
 
 "Real quality!" echoed Dick scornfully. "See here, 
 Higgins, don't you know that it is personality that 
 counts? Position is a mere accident. All men of 
 equal capacity are equal, and it is barbarous to have 
 arbitrary levels to society." 
 
 Higgins was plainly puzzled. "Yes, sir, I suppose 
 so ; but I don't see just what you mean." 
 
 "What I mean, Higgins," answered Dick, who never 
 took himself so seriously as when expounding a theory, 
 "is that nothing but a mere matter of birth accounts 
 for the different positions which you and I occupy. 
 With my opportunities and take notice, Higgins, that 
 opportunities are not the mere advantages of a single 
 lifetime, but reach on back to the very moment when 
 our two lines shot off from the same primitive ancestor. 
 Well, with my opportunities you might have accom-
 
 1 6 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 plished twice as much as I have. You are ambitious, 
 aren't you, Higgins?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied the butler, nodding his head ear- 
 nestly. "It took a heap of ambition for me to climb 
 up to my present position." 
 
 "That's just it," said Dick in the joyous voice of an 
 evangelist who has at last found the secret gate to a 
 hearer's inmost soul. "That's just it; it took a climb 
 for you to get where you are; and yet looking at it 
 in a large way, Higgins, a life devoted to serving the 
 domestic wants of fellow-equals, is no fit scope for a 
 man of ambition. Merely being a man entitles you 
 to a liberal education and an opportunity to climb any 
 heights to which the germ of your being impels you. 
 We are different there is no use to deny it some of 
 us are mighty oaks, some are apple trees, while some 
 are, well, gooseberry bushes, for instance. We can't 
 all grow to the same size; but we are each entitled to 
 all the moisture and all the sunshine and all the good 
 rich soil we can use. You see what I mean ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," answered Higgins, his face reflecting the 
 enthusiasm which radiated from Dick's. "You mean 
 that it is healthier to live in the country than in town. 
 Mr. Bannington, your father, held the same views, 
 and that is why he came out here to live. Oh, yes 
 
 "You take too narrow a view," demurred Dick. 
 "You look at everything from a purely personal stand- 
 point ; you do not rise to a height and look at human 
 affairs as as a bird looks at golf links. You must not 
 stop with the question, 'How will this affect me?' but 
 must ask broadly, 'How will this affect the entire race
 
 UNCLE RICHARD TAKES NOTICE 17 
 
 and the countless generations yet to come ?' It is base 
 to take a merely selfish interest in civilization; you 
 must consider whether this age is doing everything in 
 its power to remove the struggle for existence, to pro- 
 mulgate the cleansing forces of knowledge, to culti- 
 vate, the gentle strength of higher, broader, purer 
 love. You must consider " 
 
 "You must excuse me now, sir,'' interrupted Hig- 
 gins, the extreme blankness of whose expression was 
 feebly attempting to portray the extent of his perplex- 
 ity. "I am deeply interested, and at some future time 
 I shall be pleased to consider to consider all these 
 things ; but just now, sir, I must consider arrangements 
 for dinner." 
 
 The butler bowed apologetically and withdrew, and 
 Dick heaved a long sigh as he gazed after him. "That's 
 always the way," he^ complained audibly. "Now, 
 there is a man with his heart open to conviction, and 
 yet at the very moment when an opportunity presents 
 itself for him to receive the instruction for which his 
 poor, starved soul is yearning, he is called away to 
 attend to some trivial ceremony in our artificial mode 
 of life. Come to think of it, though," continued Dick 
 thoughtfully, "dinner is not an artificial ceremony. 
 I wonder why luncheon is not ready. He said dinner ; 
 I hope they have not cut out luncheon altogether." 
 
 Dick was just at that full tide of youth when imma- 
 turity is most repulsive. Newly come face to face with 
 the problems of the centuries, he saw in them crafty 
 and unsuspected enemies of his race, and longed to 
 meet them in mortal combat. He felt that his majority
 
 1 8 THE STEERING WHEEU 
 
 had made him a knight and he was much ashamed of 
 the three years which had elapsed before he had armed 
 himself cap-a-pie to set out on his own crusade. 
 
 No more of the impulsiveness of youth for him, no 
 more the idle jest and wanton prank. The world was 
 not a pleasure ground, not a mock tournament, but a 
 great battle-field wherein the forces of greed and ig- 
 norance were marshalled against the forces of charity 
 and knowledge, and on his unscarred banner he had 
 blazoned the single word, Duty. 
 
 It would have pained him grievously if he had sus- 
 pected that his very enthusiasm was an earmark of 
 youth. When he encountered a mirror he drew his 
 face into stern lines, and he fondly fancied that his 
 very soul had become firm and inflexible. But youth 
 possesses remarkable vitality, and it takes many bitter 
 disappointments to rout it utterly from a clean, healthy 
 body. Wherefore, in unguarded moments, Dick was 
 quite completely under the control of appetites and de- 
 sires which are neither necessary nor incidental to ex- 
 treme age, but which clamor and demand with boyish 
 vehemency. 
 
 Just now he was soundly hungry, and as he strode 
 into the hall in search of information he came face to 
 face with the maid, Gladys, whose face, it must be con- 
 fessed, was not an unpleasant face to come face to 
 face with.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 THE SERVANTS TAKE NOTICE 
 
 NOW the mind of the maid was not like unto the 
 mind of the butler. He had at a very much earlier 
 period been filled with an ambition to become a butler. 
 He had achieved this ambition. Consequently he de- 
 sired that the position of butler be appreciated at its 
 full value; and he so conducted himself that even a 
 chance observer would at once perceive that he was 
 a person of importance. 
 
 Early in life he had determined to be English, but 
 in this ambition he had not been completely successful. 
 He had acquired the trick of dropping his "aiches" very 
 gracefully, but he could never stick them on at the 
 wrong places without appearing self-conscious, and as 
 he well knew that in a butler the next best thing to 
 being devoid of self is to be unconscious of it, he re- 
 gretfully relinquished the greater joy and tried to make 
 up for it by cultivating an expression whose blankness 
 was a model of perfection. 
 
 The Bannington family was a bitter trial to the 
 butler : it never entertained at least not to the degree 
 that Mr. Higgins conveyed by his use of the term 
 it was usually so filled with outside affairs that the 
 peculiar beauty of his own sewing was serenely ignored 
 
 19
 
 20 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 as being a minor incidental, and strive as he would, 
 there was everywhere the evidence of newness. 
 
 Mr. Higgins loathed newness. He longed for the 
 dark rich dignity of polish well ingrained, and, while 
 he held as a sacred principle the loyalty which a butler 
 must feel for the head of the family, in his inmost 
 soul he was forced to admit that he would never have 
 put up with Mr. Richard Bannington all these years 
 if it were not for the hope held out that the heir of the 
 house was filled with that high, domineering spirit 
 which can only thrive amidst aristocratic surroundings. 
 As a boy Dick had been as proud and whimful as any 
 young prince, and Higgins had awaited his final home- 
 coming with keen expectancy. 
 
 And now Dick had returned. Mr. Higgins had thor- 
 oughly disapproved of the three guests, even though 
 one of them was a count. They had not criticized 
 their quarters, they had made no impossible requests, 
 they had even appeared pleased at the arrangements 
 just as they had found them, and the butler feared 
 that they were very common. Then came his inter- 
 view with Dick, an interview which left him gasping 
 with astonishment, and as he left the library he had 
 passed close to the maid who was just outside the door 
 and apparently intent on arranging a chair according 
 to an unnecessarily occult plan of her own. Under 
 ordinary circumstances he would have transferred her 
 services to some field whose need was more perceptible, 
 but he passed without seeing her, and so it was that 
 Dick came on her, still engaged in her mystic cherishing 
 of the chair which stood near the door.
 
 THE SERVANTS TAKE NOTICE 21 
 
 The mind of the maid was active and its outlook 
 was broad and courageous. It was already surcharged 
 with the popular misconceptions regarding the gor- 
 geous opportunities offered by her native land, and she 
 stood ready to embrace one or more of these oppor- 
 tunities without waiting for the formality of an intro- 
 duction. She had no skepticism regarding the fair 
 chance of becoming president which each little school- 
 boy enjoys, and she was equally optimistic regarding 
 her own prospect of becoming the first lady of the land 
 unless something more lofty attracted her. 
 
 Servants seldom call themselves servants, in these 
 United States, and they never look on their service 
 as being more than a preliminary step to future great- 
 ness, until after many of their dream-ships have 
 smashed on the rocks of experience. The youth fulness 
 of our nation is largely responsible for this. It is 
 extremely difficult to make perfectly good aristocrats 
 out of pioneers who still retain callosities in their broad, 
 strong hands. And also our hit-and-miss educational 
 methods must shoulder their share of the uncomfort- 
 able situation. Schools are furnished and their general 
 use is greatly encouraged. Children eat of the tree of 
 knowledge and after learning the difference between 
 wealth and poverty, they are usually more willing to 
 risk their souls on the rocks of wealth than their bodies 
 amidst the shoals of poverty. 
 
 This situation produces untold domestic anguish, 
 but in addition to holding such sentiments in their 
 most advanced form, Gladys, the Bannington maid, 
 was a diligent student of the magazine sections of three
 
 22 THE STEERING WHEEU 
 
 Sunday newspapers, so that her outlook was even less 
 restricted than the prevailing and rather mediocre 
 radicalism. This was the maid with whom Dick came 
 face to face as he stepped into the hall. The maid's 
 expression was demure; Dick's had the tense concen- 
 tration of a hungry boy. 
 
 "I say, when is luncheon ?" he asked. 
 
 "In about an hour, sir," answered the maid. She 
 had been well drilled, in spite of her Fourth of July 
 doctrines, and made it a rule to approach a situation 
 discreetly. 
 
 "That's fine news, Estelle your name is Estelle, is 
 it not?" 
 
 "Oh, no, sir ; Estelle left over a year ago. My name 
 is Gladys." 
 
 "Much the same," responded Dick. "They belong 
 to exactly the same species." 
 
 There was a hearty, fraternal ring to Dick's voice, 
 and the maid smiled modestly as she said : "But I 
 have heard so much of you that I almost feel that I 
 know you. Estelle told me " 
 
 The expression on Dick's face became more severe. 
 It seemed several decades since his last vacation, and 
 he had but little respect for the gay college boy he then 
 was. "A servant's memory," he said gravely, "should 
 be like an electric light to turn on when needed and 
 off when through with." 
 
 "Oh, she did not tell me any of her real secrets," 
 said Gladys reassuringly. "She only " 
 
 "Real secrets!" interrupted Dick. "What kind of 
 talk is this ? Do you suppose that her real secrets would
 
 THE SERVANTS TAKE NOTICE 23 
 
 concern me? Do you imagine that I would have any 
 real mutual secrets with one in my employ? Now, if 
 you have any duties to attend to, don't let me detain 
 you." 
 
 "Oh, I have nothing to do just now," answered 
 Gladys kindly. "Are all poets like you?" 
 
 "Poets?" exclaimed Dick, feeling of his back hair. 
 "What the deuce makes you think I am a poet ?" 
 
 "Because," answered Gladys looking soulfully into 
 his eyes, "you used such be-au-tiful language to Mr. 
 Higgins just now : all about birds soaring up above 
 the clouds and enjoying the fresh, sweet sunshine, and 
 how life should be filled with love, and " 
 
 Very few of our emotional utterances thrill us 
 pleasantly on the rebound, and Dick broke in hastily : 
 "Did I say anything like that?" 
 
 "Oh, you did," replied Gladys enthusiastically, "and 
 lots more. It was just like an opera. I never " 
 
 "Look here" Dick longed to put this impertinent 
 young woman into her proper position, but his prin- 
 ciples restrained him from hastily deciding what this 
 proper position was "either your ears or my head is 
 out of order. I was making an earnest and scientific 
 appeal to Higgins' reasoning powers. Woman has no 
 logic ; consequently you are excused from interpreting 
 my remarks." 
 
 Dick felt that this would have a sufficiently snuffing 
 effect, and turned to stride across the hall, but Gladys, 
 who was not supersensitive, interposed. 
 
 "Yes, but you said that all men are equal, and " 
 
 "You're not a man," broke in Dick impatiently. "I
 
 24 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 never yet saw the woman who could argue. If I ever 
 did, I should fall down and worship her on the spot." 
 
 "I think I could learn to argue," answered Gladys 
 not too insinuatingly. 
 
 Dick looked her in the eyes. "Nope, not you," he 
 said with finality. "You'd only learn to talk back. 
 Now, I don't wish to be abrupt, nor to use a purely, 
 arbitrary right, but just at this hour I always find it 
 necessary to be alone, so if you are going to stay here, 
 I am going outdoors. Where is Mulligan? I knew 
 there was some one I wanted to see." 
 
 "He's at the barn, I think. He's grown awful cross 
 since they chained him up so much." 
 
 "Chained him up !" exclaimed Dick. "Confound it, 
 I bet his temper is ruined ! I should like to know why 
 my orders were not carried out!" Dick paused and 
 swallowed in order to regain the gentle manner con- 
 sistent to his principles, and then resumed: "I shall 
 make a decided change in this establishment, but, of 
 course, I shall do it in a reasonable way." 
 
 This time Dick had so far impressed the maid that 
 he was able to cross the hall and leave the house with- 
 out further conversation. He hastened to the stable. 
 None of the men was in sight, which was not at all 
 surprising as the work at Bannington was not strictly 
 departmental. At times the coachman or stableman 
 helped the gardener, and the footman used to assist 
 the cook with the vegetables and the maid with the 
 cleaning. As a rule there was not enough work to go 
 around, but the natural grumbling which ensued was 
 confined to the servants themselves. Mr. Bannington
 
 THE SERVANTS TAKE NOTICE 25 
 
 did not insist on many things, but he did insist on liv- 
 ing his own life in his own establishment exactly in 
 his own way. 
 
 As Dick examined things about the stables his face 
 took on an impatient frown. He had a discriminating 
 eye and there was copious evidence of laxncss. While 
 he indignantly bewailed the organization of society 
 so that one man was forced to stifle his god-like inde- 
 pendence and become the servant of another mere man, 
 he nevertheless resented having a personal service 
 slighted, and he experienced difficulty in condensing 
 these two views into a harmonious philosophy. 
 
 The three horses were fat, but lifeless; harness and 
 vehicles were clean, but dingy ; and the entire surround- 
 ings denoted mechanical care which made no attempt 
 at excellence. A queer throaty sound from the little 
 box-stall which his first pony had once occupied finally 
 attracted his attention and he walked over and raised 
 himself on tiptoe to look through the screen which 
 shielded the upper part. 
 
 For a moment his eyes failed to detect anything 
 in the gloom within, and then with a rather heated 
 exclamation, he unfastened the door and threw it wide. 
 The next moment he was on his knees and going fool- 
 ish over an immense bulldog which was gurgling and 
 wriggling and whining with plaintive delight. 
 
 "Mulligan, old sport, this hasn't been my fault. You 
 know that I didn't have a hand in this damned outrage, 
 don't you?" Dick took the broad head between his 
 two hands and they gazed into each other's eyes, while 
 the bulldog's comical screw tail quivered ecstatically.
 
 26 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Oh, this is the rottenest deal I ever heard of," con- 
 tinued Dick earnestly. "Only one window, and that 
 so covered with cobwebs that the light has to elbow and 
 push in order to get through at all. What in thunder 
 could any one mean by shutting you up in a hole like 
 this on the third of July? Well, never you mind, old 
 hat, there is going to be doings about this as soon as I 
 can locate the blame. Come on out here and let's have 
 a look at you." 
 
 The bulldog gamboled stiffly and awkwardly as he 
 accompanied his master outside. There Dick examined 
 him critically, pinching him, poking him with his 
 finger, twisting his muscles, and all the while mutter- 
 ing threateningly. 
 
 "You are ten pounds overweight, Mulligan," he said 
 at last in a sorrowful tone. "Somebody is going to 
 suffer for this ! Good Lord, you'd drop dead of heart 
 stroke if you tried to do some of your old stunts. 
 Never mind, old pal, it's training for yours from now 
 on, and I'll mighty soon try out that fat and turn it 
 into the old-time steel springs." 
 
 Dick finished his examination with a hearty punch 
 in the ribs, which was the signal for a rough and 
 tumble ; but after a few moments the dog was glad to 
 lie down and pant. 
 
 "It used to take an hour of that to get you warmed 
 up enough fully to enjoy it," grumbled his master. 
 "Oh, there certainly will be a shake-up at these head- 
 quarters." 
 
 The stableman, who had been doing some weeding 
 in the kitchen garden, had been watching Dick and the
 
 THE SERVANTS TAKE NOTICE 27 
 
 dog as he came toward the stable to do the noon feed- 
 ing. The stableman had a good-humored face, and as 
 he came nearer it became suffused with smiles. "He 
 is in good shape, isn't he, Mr. Dick?" he called. 
 
 "Shape?" exclaimed Dick. "He has about as much 
 shape as a pillow!" and then, with eyes flashing, he 
 demanded: "Who ordered him shut up in that dirty 
 hole?" 
 
 "Why, Timothy told me to put him where he 
 wouldn't run no risk of bitin' no one," replied the 
 abashed stableman, coming to attention. 
 
 "When did you clean that stall out?" 
 
 "I can't just say, sir. You see it hasn't been used 
 since your pony died and " 
 
 "Good Heavens!" broke in Dick, "that was twelve 
 years ago." 
 
 "I don't mean, sir, that it hasn't been cleaned out 
 since then. I mean " 
 
 "I don't care what you mean. It's what I mean that 
 goes from now on. Where's the coachman?" 
 
 "He's gone to see about getting the carriage fixed, 
 sir." 
 
 "That's another pleasing symptom of his intellectual 
 decay," flashed Dick. "Here I come home with three 
 guests and have to hire a public conveyance. The 
 horses are out of condition, the harness is out of con- 
 dition, the carriage is out of condition, Mulligan is out 
 of condition, and unless I am able to keep my mind on 
 other things for a while, some of you lazy loafers are 
 going to be out of condition." 
 
 Dick had been an athlete at college, and during his
 
 28 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 vacations he had boxed with the men in order to help 
 out his training. Mike had once been knocked down 
 three times in one round with eight-ounce gloves, and 
 as he saw the genuine anger gleaming in Dick's eyes 
 his face became anxious. 
 
 "Mr. Bannington, sir, isn't overly particular," he be- 
 gan, "and we've sort of got into a rut, like, but in " 
 
 "Well, I am particular," interrupted Dick in no un- 
 certain tones, "and in the future things have to come 
 up to standard. I want those horses exercised this 
 afternoon. Exercised do you know what that 
 means? I wouldn't dare jump Roland over a rail 
 lying flat on the ground, while the pair look like cart 
 horses. I want the stable cleaned up, too. Do you 
 know what cleaning up means? And remember that 
 the next time I wish a thing it must be ready for me. 
 Come on, Mulligan." 
 
 Dick strode off to the house to investigate luncheon. 
 He held his head high and his eyes were still angry. 
 He had momentarily forgotten his principles. 
 
 Mike went on to the stables, where he paused and 
 
 scratched his head reflectively. "He ain't much like 
 
 the owld man, that felly ain't," he muttered. "The 
 
 " owld man's a little gruff at times, but he don't jump 
 
 'up and down on ya, while this one has the hard look of 
 
 a royal duke. That's the way it goes one generation 
 
 makes the money and the next one feels it."
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 EVEN THE GUESTS TAKE NOTICE 
 
 WHEN Dick had left her, Gladys, the maid, had 
 experienced the peculiar irritation which ac- 
 companies a reprimand a trifle above one's powers of 
 analysis. The effect is much like having one's hat re- 
 peatedly knocked awry in a crowd. At first the inci- 
 dent is treated as an accident, then as an ill-timed jest, 
 but it soon becomes a fiendish indignity, and in the end 
 one is convinced that it is an accursed conspiracy 
 whose object is the overthrow of a bright and loving 
 spirit. 
 
 Gladys pouted openly and, if possible, with empha- 
 sis. She had taken no liberties, she had not attempted 
 to flirt, she had merely striven to make the welcome to 
 the returning heir more homelike, and he had taken 
 the opportunity to act "smart." She despised people 
 who acted smart. 
 
 She seated herself in the rear of the hall and pro- 
 ceeded to think dark and gloomy thoughts about the 
 house of Bannington. She was sick and tired of 
 living at a place which had no feminine supervision. 
 Of course the work was lighter, but then there was 
 never any excitement; and if the heir was going to 
 come back and act smart, why she would leave, and that 
 was all there was to it. In the circle where her social
 
 30 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 instinct found its legitimate outlet Gladys was a popu- 
 lar belle, and popular belles are much the same regard- 
 less of the location and size of their orbits. 
 
 As she sat thus the three guests came down the 
 staircase and the German and the Russian turned into 
 the library while the count crossed the hall and entered 
 the drawing-room. 
 
 The German was short and stout with light hair 
 and blue eyes. He wore a beard which was permitted 
 to work out its own scheme of evolution, and his body 
 indicated that his impulses were not in the direction 
 of physical exertion. He appeared to be about forty- 
 five, and in spite of his discourse it was hard to believe 
 that he had found existence to be one long-continued 
 torture. 
 
 The Russian was of another type: tall, gaunt, and 
 dark, his eyes gleamed with the fervor of a mystic 
 and a religionist. His pale face was of a cast common 
 to the martyrs of all ages; his flesh rested but loosely 
 on him, and it was plainly evident that it had very little 
 voice in his final determinations. His raiment was 
 dark and gave mute testimony that his mind had been 
 on more important matters during its selection. 
 
 But the count was of a different type to either of 
 these. He was of fair height, graceful, debonair, and 
 perfectly self-possessed. He wore a silver-gray suit, 
 and his tie matched his socks and the dainty figure in 
 his shirt. His eyes were dark and prone to ask ques- 
 tions of a familiar and personal nature. His associa- 
 tion with the companions already mentioned seemed a 
 flagrant affront to the "birds of a feather" theory.
 
 THE GUESTS TAKE NOTICE 31 
 
 Emil filled and lighted a short pipe, pulled a huge 
 volume from the book-case and seated himself in the 
 most comfortable chair with a satisfied grunt. Ivan 
 rested his elbow on the window-sill, his chin on his 
 hand, and gazed wistfully on the lawn. Gladys recalled 
 some neglected duties in the drawing-room, and con- 
 scientiously hastened to attend to them. 
 
 The count was smoking a cigarette and idly criti- 
 cizing the furniture. He did not take offense at the 
 intrusion ; instead, he sought to relieve the maid's very 
 perceptible embarrassment by greeting her with a 
 soothing smile. 
 
 "I I beg your pardon, sir," said Gladys. "I did 
 not know there was any one here. I wished to arrange 
 things a little, but another time will do just as well." 
 
 The eyes of the count fell on the eyes of the maid 
 in a long, bold gaze. As the color rose in her cheeks, 
 he smiled knowingly, and when she turned to leave the 
 room, he said kindly : "Don't mind me. Go right along 
 and make your changes." The voice of the count was 
 musical, and although his remarks were ornamented 
 by a slight excess of "z's," the impression was that of 
 culture rather than foreignness. 
 
 "Oh, I shouldn't like to disturb you," answered 
 Gladys, who was thrilling nervously and enjoying the 
 sensation. 
 
 "What is your name, my pretty maid?" asked the 
 count, dropping into a chair and leaning his head on 
 the tufted back luxuriously. 
 
 "My name is Gladys," answered the maid in a low 
 tone, while her eyes fell to the floor.
 
 32 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Gladys!" repeated Lorrain turning the name over 
 with the relish of a connoisseur. "Gladys how per- 
 fectly appropriate!" 
 
 The maid blushed thankfully without in the least 
 knowing why. She felt vaguely that she was standing 
 on the brink of an affair. Its waters appeared cool 
 and inviting, and she hoped that she would slip in. 
 
 "Have you been long in the Bannington family?" 
 asked Lorrain. 
 
 "Only a little over a year," replied the maid, who 
 was busily moving pieces of furniture a foot or so from 
 the positions they had maintained for several decades. 
 
 "That is the way in your country. Now in mine, 
 the retainers remain generation after generation, and 
 it is all one large family." 
 
 "Oh, some of them do over here," said Gladys. "The 
 rest of the help has been here a long time ; but I should 
 get weary to death of it. I was educated to be a 
 stenographer, but my health gave. out." 
 
 "I could see at a glance that you were far above 
 your station," said the count gravely. "But then," he 
 added after a thoughtful pause, "we all have to serve 
 society in some capacity, and all labor is equally honor- 
 able." 
 
 Gladys stole a glance at the count's slender white 
 hands as he paused for another moment before asking 
 abruptly: "The Bannington family it is rather 
 wealthy, is it not?" 
 
 "Oh, mercy, yes," answered Gladys largely. "They 
 have tons and tons of money, but they don't do any- 
 thing with it. I never heard of them giving a party,
 
 THE GUESTS TAKE NOTICE 33 
 
 but I suppose it is because there are no ladies in the 
 family." 
 
 "Does Mr. Bannington go into society much?" 
 
 "Never," replied Gladys scornfully. "He might just 
 as well be poor, the way he lives. His clothes always 
 look alike, he never goes to the opera, and he moves 
 between his office and this house as regular as though 
 he was an interurban train." 
 
 "From all the money he is reported to have given 
 away in charity, he must have a kind heart," suggested 
 Lorrain. 
 
 "Oh, he's not so bad," admitted Gladys. "I am sure 
 from the way he acts that he was disappointed in love 
 when he was young, because his eyes never soften 
 when you smile into them, and most men can't help 
 but smile back, you know." 
 
 Lorrain's smile was one of pure amusement at this. 
 "It is plain to be seen that those bright eyes of yours 
 are not merely for ornament," he said. "Has Mr. 
 Bannington any enemies?" 
 
 "Oh, somebody is always writing something mean 
 about him in the papers, but he don't seem to mind 
 it. The only man he seems to hate is William Burton. 
 He is the head of another steel company and they fight 
 each other all the time. Mr. Lorrimer, Mr. Banning- 
 ton's private secretary, comes out here often and I 
 sometimes overhear them." 
 
 "Has Mr. Burton a large family?" asked Lorrain. 
 
 "Just one daughter," replied Gladys, who had by 
 now dispensed with the pretense of arranging furni- 
 ture and was leaning on a stand in a posture which
 
 34 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 her mirror assured her was truly captivating. "They 
 live next to us. They bought the old Fitch property 
 only a year ago just for spite, Mr. Bannington says." 
 
 The count relapsed into reflection, which was dis- 
 turbed by an impatient movement on the part of the 
 maid. "At what hour is luncheon served?" he asked. 
 
 "It must be ready now," replied Gladys guiltily as 
 she started to leave. 
 
 As she passed Lorrain he rose to his feet and their 
 hands met. He gave hers a slight pressure, and her 
 face was bright and rosy as she hurried down the hall. 
 "Good flattery is wasted on such a silly creature as 
 that," murmured the count as he took a turn about the 
 room. "It irritates me to think of these Bannington 
 boors having all this money. It is most appropriate 
 that money has no esprit de corps. I think the maid 
 will be useful." 
 
 Lorrain strolled across the hall and into the library 
 where Emil immediately began a convincing argument 
 to prove that the discovery of steel had been an im- 
 portant factor in the development of the human race. 
 Lorrain was always careful to avoid being bored and 
 as Emil warmed up to his lecture, he hummed a little 
 dance air, and scanned the titles in the book-case. 
 
 At this juncture Dick burst into the room followed 
 by Mulligan. "What do you think the lazy ignoram- 
 uses have done with Mulligan ?" he demanded angrily. 
 "Here were two big strong men with nothing to do 
 but exercise three horses which were never used, and 
 they have kept him shut up in a dark hole with nothing 
 to do but eat his heart out and take on surplus fat. I
 
 THE GUESTS TAKE NOTICE 35 
 
 left orders to have him washed and brushed and exer- 
 cised and tended to. All they did was to feed him, 
 and he is ten pounds overweight and cross on account 
 of his liver. If I can fasten the blame on any one head 
 I shall certainly try to knock that head off. Things 
 have come to pretty pass " 
 
 "Do you mean to say that you would knock a man's 
 head off on account of a dog?" asked Ivan in a voice 
 denoting a doubt as to his own hearing. 
 
 "I most certainly would on account of Mulligan/* 
 replied Dick emphatically. 
 
 "Surely you are but jesting?" questioned the dis- 
 mayed Ivan. "Such a thing is unbelievable in free 
 America." 
 
 "What has free America got to do with it?" de- 
 manded Dick. "I paid five hundred dollars for him 
 when he was a pup, and he has taken three blue ribbons. 
 Why, Great Scott, man, you surely aren't able to tell 
 a dog when you see one. But entirely aside from any 
 intrinsic value, I had Mulligan with me the entire last 
 year at college and he was the mascot of the team and 
 the" 
 
 "Five hundred dollars for a pup!" exclaimed Emil in 
 guttural astonishment. When Emil became interested 
 in a subject his eyes would protrude and his lips purse 
 out and his remarks would seem to explode a few 
 inches in front of his lips. "Five hundred dollars for 
 a pup when the income of the average working-man 
 is only four hundred and t'irty-seven dollars!" Emil 
 shook his large head protestingly. 
 
 "What has that got to do with it?" cried Dick.
 
 36 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "What would five hundred dollars divided among all 
 the average working-men amount to ?" 
 
 "And also the food," resumed Emil, looking re- 
 proachfully at the bulldog. "Such a dog as this large 
 quantities of food would consume." 
 
 "Why, the year I had him at college, he cost me 
 over four hundred dollars ; food, baths, damages, and 
 all," said Dick. 
 
 "Four hundred dollars " repeated Emil accusingly, 
 "and in this country at all times, over eight million 
 children from not sufficient food, suffer." 
 
 "Well, I'm not a miracle-worker, am I ?" demanded 
 Dick impatiently. "I couldn't possibly buy enough 
 loaves and fishes for four hundred dollars to feed eight 
 million children for a year." 
 
 "For four hundred dollars, a year's nourishment for 
 three small children could be provided," began Emil 
 instructively. "You, yourself, say that already the dog 
 is too fat. Why not, then, devote but one hundred to 
 the dog, and with the remainder supply the wants of 
 two poor children? I admit that the giving of in- 
 discriminate alms is not for good, but it is better to 
 keep two children than one bulldog, alive; and in this 
 case the dog, also, could continue to exist. Most gen- 
 erally ill health is to be at the door of unscientific 
 diet laid. A ration should consist of a proper balance 
 of the elements. In nuts, the per cents, of fat, nitro- 
 gen" 
 
 "Oh, chop it!" broke in Dick. "You may revel in 
 reducing life to fractions, but I'm not a comptometer, 
 myself. When I get a friend a real, genuine, true-
 
 THE GUESTS TAKE NOTICE 37 
 
 hearted friend, like Mulligan he gets the call before 
 a lot of people that I never saw. I'm willing to do all 
 I can for them, but " 
 
 "Yes," interrupted Emil contentiously, "but you 
 said that already he was too fat." 
 
 "You don't think that all a dog needs is food, do 
 you?" retorted Dick. "Not on your life. He needs 
 sympathy and amusement and a bit of a lark now and 
 again, and some one to love him and some one to 
 love. Why, Mulligan's been petted and mauled by half 
 the college do you suppose that he doesn't know it is 
 a devilish insult to shut him up in a dirty stable ?" 
 
 "Still," said Ivan in his low, impassioned voice, 
 "with the cries of the hungry children going up all 
 over the globe, I can not understand " 
 
 "I didn't create the entire globe, did I?" flashed 
 Dick. "Nor I didn't buy it, and furthermore I am not 
 responsible for all the cries. They were going up when 
 I arrived, and from all I can learn on the subject it 
 was no novelty even then ; but Mulligan " 
 
 Lorrain had been leaning against the book-case, 
 smiling with condescending amusement. Now he placed 
 his slender hand on Dick's shoulder and said sooth- 
 ingly : "Still, my dear Bannington, it seems to me that 
 you are a trifle too sentimental about a mere dog." 
 
 "Mere dog!" snorted Dick. "Well, if a man won't 
 get sentimental over a dog, what in thunder will he get 
 sentimental over man in the abstract? Bah, a dog 
 don't drink nor smoke nor borrow a lot of money 
 nor disgrace his family, nor ever, under any circum- 
 stances, go back on his friend. Now listen to me a
 
 38 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 dog is the truest friend a man ever has; and if a man 
 can't be true to one friend, I'll bet four dollars he never 
 ruins his health working for the good of the human 
 race." 
 
 At this point Higgins came to the library door, 
 bowed, and said ceremoniously: "Luncheon is served, 
 sir."
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 MULLIGAN, VOLUNTEER CHAUFFEUR 
 
 EfNCHEON was neither a soothing nor a truly 
 social affair. Dick resented unsympathetic criti- 
 cism. Lorrain had the faculty of irritating without 
 especial effort ; Ivan had a tender heart which throbbed 
 in unison with the misery of the whole world without 
 hardening toward those with whom it came into direct 
 contact a tender heart indeed while Emil had culti- 
 vated the art of shutting off all things which threatened 
 to bore him. He ate his luncheon in contented silence, 
 Ivan in hurt silence, Lorrain in amused silence, and 
 Dick in indignant silence. This quadruple silence 
 finally got on the nerves of even Higgins, the butler. 
 
 "You professional lovers .of humanity have the 
 entire house at your disposal until your grouch wears 
 away. I am going to take Mulligan for some exer- 
 cise," said Dick, pushing back his chair as soon as they 
 had finished. 
 
 "Would it not be better to discuss our plans?" asked 
 Ivan. "We have come a long way to carry out a great 
 purpose is it wise to permit a dog to interfere?" 
 
 "The coming revolution is not running on so narrow 
 a schedule that the time required to give a dog a walk 
 is going to interfere seriously," rejoined Dick, smiling, 
 but with the dregs of sarcasm still perceptible. 
 
 39
 
 40 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "How long a walk do you estimate will be neces- 
 sary?" asked Lorrain soberly. 
 
 A hot answer sprang to Dick's lips, but he closed 
 them tightly for a moment and then said : "Mulligan 
 weighs seventy-five pounds, he should weigh sixty-five 
 pounds; Emil can estimate the effect this would have 
 on his heart action and how much exercise it would be 
 safe to give him at the start, but I think I shall be back 
 by three o'clock at the latest, and if you are in a decent 
 humor by that time we can take up the lines mapped 
 out and go into them thoroughly." 
 
 Emil had been making himself a Rochefort sandwich 
 as an afterthought and now his white teeth bit through 
 the hard crackers before he answered with serious 
 calmness : "Such a question is not in an off-hand man- 
 ner to be answered, neither is it important enough to 
 receive the time necessary to go into it with thorough- 
 ness. What we ought to do is to continue our study 
 of the chart I have prepared on the peculiar labor con- 
 ditions of this country. We are with the older coun- 
 tries familiar ; but with " 
 
 "Good !" interrupted Dick. "That will work the ill 
 nature out of you and when I return we shall be ready 
 for a good work-out. So long ! Remember, the place 
 is yours." 
 
 Hastily running up to his room, Dick put on a rough 
 tweed suit, cap and puttees, and darted out of the side 
 door eagerly whistling the old-time call. It is good to. 
 return to one's boyhood home and it is good to feel 
 like a boy again, and Dick was lucky enough to have 
 this latter phase slip in without attracting his attention.
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 41 
 
 Mulligan galloped awkwardly around the corner of the 
 house, leaped on his master, and then returned from 
 whence he had come. Dick followed in surprise. He 
 was not accustomed to a dog which had more important 
 matters than a ramble to attend to. His surprise 
 changed to indignation when he saw Mulligan seek- 
 ing to gulp the contents of a platter heaped with food. 
 "Mulligan, come here!" he called sternly. 
 
 Mulligan came with evident reluctance and Dick 
 stormed into the kitchen. "I want it to be understood 
 that no one is to feed that dog from now on, except 
 myself. Don't mistake this! If I don't feed him for 
 a week you just let him starve. Do you understand?" 
 
 "We had orders," began the cook, but Dick broke 
 in without ceremony : 
 
 "All former orders concerning that dog are canceled. 
 Another thing we may as well arrange right now: I 
 don't intend to issue many orders, but when I do, I 
 don't want them discussed; I want them carried out. 
 Come on, Mulligan." 
 
 Dick and the dog started away at a brisk walk, leav- 
 ing the cook speechless with indignation. When she 
 recovered she tossed things right and left in a fit of 
 rage while she stated that she had cooked her last 
 meal for a Bannington. There was none to dispute 
 her, so she had ample space in which to voice her 
 entire list of grievances. The divide was reached when 
 she clenched her fist and cried : "No, I shall stay and 
 cook so that no one can ate it." After her passion had 
 spent itself, she settled to level ground once more with 
 the shrewd remark: "Well, takin' it all in all, I'd
 
 42 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 ruther be bossed by two min thin wan woman. I'll 
 stay on a while and see what happens." 
 
 In the meantime, Dick had recovered his usual 
 serenity. Mulligan had not pouted, he had accepted 
 the decision as final, placing his interrupted meal 
 with the other useless items of past history, and was 
 now in a mood to enter fully into the joy of the 
 moment. He pulled on a rope, he ran after sticks, he 
 chased squirrels, and he panted so strenuously that 
 even Dick was satisfied that a real bulldog was still 
 hidden away under the rolls of superfluous fat. 
 
 Suddenly, the playfulness left the dog's face and he 
 stiffened into rigid attention while the bristles rose 
 along his back. Following Mulligan's gaze Dick was 
 surprised to find it resting on two figures coming 
 toward him on a path which wound through the thick 
 undergrowth. One was of a girl of nineteen or twenty, 
 walking with the free open stride of an outdoor life 
 and engrossed in playing with a beautiful collie which 
 frisked beside her. As Dick raised himself on tiptoe to 
 get a better view, the collie, who was to windward, 
 happened to catch a menacing scent and he, too, stif- 
 fened with alert watchfulness. 
 
 "Keep at heel, Mulligan," said Dick in a low tone as 
 he resumed his walk along the path. 
 
 The girl had not caught sight of him and as she 
 rounded a clump of bushes, she gave the collie a gentle 
 shove. It is hard for dogs to appreciate the dullness of 
 human senses, and the collie, no doubt, supposing that 
 she was as fully aware of the approaching strangers 
 as he was, evidently interpreted the action as an appeal
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 43 
 
 to his chivalry. Chivalry is one of the strongest ele- 
 ments in the character of a collie. Sometimes the poor 
 things are wasted on an environment which offers the 
 inborn chivalry but little opportunity of expression; 
 but in this case no such distressing condition prevailed. 
 The girl would have inspired the yellowest cur of them 
 all with chivalry. 
 
 If a dog would learn to approach an unexpected 
 situation with discreet analysis, he would save his fond 
 owner much embarrassment ; but his habit of yielding 
 to impulse at the most inopportune times is a certainty 
 not to be lightly overlooked. No mere human can de- 
 scribe a dog fight the actions are so much quicker 
 than the adjustability of the dull human eye. Appar- 
 ently the chivalrous collie, with a short, whiny bark, 
 sprang on the stolid bulldog and bit the side of his 
 neck. The stolid bulldog had studied canine anatomy 
 during his college course and he had not the slightest 
 superstition regarding a dog-bite. He silently and with 
 grave gentleness seized on" the collie's fore paw at the 
 joint and settled himself to the grateful task of render- 
 ing the limb useless for the ensuing three weeks. 
 
 Dick, however, was thoroughly versed in the accom- 
 plishments of his four-footed friend, and almost as 
 rapidly as the dogs had moved he thrust the stout stick 
 he was carrying into Mulligan's mouth and gave his 
 collar a throttling twist with his left hand. The collie 
 gave one agonized yelp he was not accustomed to 
 fighting and the pain was becoming terrific and as 
 Mulligan's jaws separated, he turned tail and fled with- 
 out shame through the woods. He would probably
 
 44 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 never again retreat, but this was his first real punish- 
 ment and his heart was still puppy-soft. Dick was glad 
 to see that he used all four feet as he ran. 
 
 He was holding Mulligan in his arms and boxing 
 his ears sternly, while Mulligan tried his best to keep 
 from grinning. At that moment a small stick fell 
 with a resounding whack on Mulligan's fat sides. Dick 
 whirled and his eyes opened wide with astonishment 
 when he saw that the stick had been wielded by the girl 
 of nineteen or twenty and that her eyes were hot with 
 open anger. 
 
 He dropped the dog to the ground and stood staring 
 into the eyes of the girl; while Mulligan licked his 
 chops reminiscently and quivered his twisted tail in 
 suppressed joy. There is no use trying to disguise the 
 fact that Mulligan was tough; this was not only a 
 natural gift, it had been cultivated with scientific care, 
 and it might as well be admitted that he gloried in it 
 and made no attempt to eradicate it in order to make 
 room for that universal love so beautifully spoken of 
 in esoteric Buddhism. Like most of the rest of us he 
 had learned that in order to enjoy the kind of society 
 he preferred it was necessary to restrain many of his 
 primitive appetites; but, like most of the rest of us 
 again, he cherished these primitive appetites to his 
 bosom and kept them fresh and strong for the occa- 
 sional outbreak. After his months in the gloomy 
 box-stall, this was life, rich glowing life, and while he 
 was willing to accept punishment, he felt no sincere 
 repentance in his inmost heart. He regretted that he 
 had not been permitted to complete the task so well
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 45 
 
 suited to his capacity ; but this was far from true peni- 
 tence. 
 
 "That was an unjust blow," said Dick decisively. 
 
 "It would be impossible to be unjust to such a crea- 
 ture," retorted the girl with spirit. "No one has a right 
 to allow a vicious brute like that to run at large." 
 
 "He is not a vicious brute, and he is not running at 
 large," returned Dick who had recovered his control 
 sufficiently to assume the dreadful calm which so irri- 
 tates an angry woman. 
 
 "I suppose he did not bite Bayard, either." 
 
 "I don't know who Bayard is; but if he is the shep- 
 herd dog that" 
 
 "Shepherd dog!" interrupted the girl indignantly. 
 "Well, of course a man too ignorant to recognize a 
 beautiful Scotch collie on sight could not be expected 
 to have correct ideas on any subject. Bayard is already 
 a bench winner in the puppy class, and his pedigree 
 reaches back 
 
 "His pedigree may be all right," broke in Dick, using 
 the soft voice which does not turn away wrath, "I have 
 no fault to find with his pedigree, but he certainly has 
 atrocious manners. What business had he to leap on 
 Mulligan and attempt to " 
 
 "He thought he had to defend me," interposed the 
 girl loftily. 
 
 "He had better stick to the benches," rejoined Dick 
 as though giving advice which had been eagerly sought. 
 "He'll never win any prizes at thinking. Mulligan was 
 peacefully walking at my side and even a shepherd dog 
 ought to have some conception of the fitness of things.
 
 46 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 If I had a dog whc couldn't frame up a better excuse 
 for fighting than that, I'd put mittens on his teeth." 
 
 "He never thought of fighting " indignantly. "He's 
 too much of a gentleman to stoop to vulgar fighting. 
 But he was willing to risk his life to save mine. You 
 know perfectly well that bulldogs are the most 
 treacherous " 
 
 "Treacherous? Bulldogs? Well, I can't be angry 
 with you : your education has been entirely too limited 
 for you to be held accountable for any kind of a break. 
 Now, listen, while I furnish you with a few much- 
 needed facts : a sharp-nosed dog is always jealous, and 
 snappy, and treacherous now don't interrupt, please 
 while a blunt-nosed dog is always honest, do you under- 
 stand, honest; and faithful and slow to anger and " 
 
 "Oh, they are perfect dears!" cried the girl wither- 
 ingly. "Just see what a beautiful face that cherub with 
 you has! Such a refined profile, such pleasing teeth 
 when he smiles that adorable smile ! Such a face as that 
 would inspire any stranger with confidence." 
 
 "Of course his face is a bit grim," returned Dick', 
 examining his pet critically. "It's fixed that way on 
 purpose, in order to protect his heart. Why, a bulldog 
 is so gentle and loving and friendly that if it were not 
 for his well, dignified and self-respecting expression, 
 every Tom, Dick and Harry would be taking a kick at 
 his ribs. I presume you are aware that cowardice is a 
 very prevalent human characteristic, and that it is most 
 commonly displayed in oppressing the weak. For in- 
 stance, take our rich men "
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 47 
 
 "Oh, never mind them one evil at a time," inter- 
 posed the girl lightly. She was cool enough by this 
 time to find pleasure in this chance passage at arms 
 and her eyes were flashing brilliantly as she prepared 
 to fence with all her skill. "We are discussing bull- 
 dogs now," she resumed, "and I say that they are never 
 trustworthy, and that this one is positively cross. Look 
 at him." 
 
 "He is not cross," answered Dick earnestly; "his 
 liver is out of order. You'd be peevish, too, if your 
 liver was out of order." 
 
 The color swept into the girl's face; but she was a 
 modern girl possessing a sense of fair play approxi- 
 mating the masculine, and she saw that Dick was too 
 much in earnest to be flippant. 
 
 "Well," she rejoined bravely, "well, if it was, I'd 
 I'd consult a physician; not go about biting people. 
 And it is nearly always a bulldog that goes mad and 
 bites little children." 
 
 "It always is," replied Dick with heavy sarcasm, 
 "and it is always a divinely beautiful girl that gets kid- 
 napped or murdered. You appear to be pitifully un- 
 sophisticated. Haven't you ever studied styles in head- 
 lines? How would this look A dear little cocker 
 spaniel bites a two-hundred-pound man on the instep? 
 No, it is always an immense bulldog, and he always 
 lacerates the throat; but if you trace it down you will 
 find that the sensational reporters are net generally 
 chosen as judges at the bench shows. You have prob- 
 ably heard of the free press. The term means that it
 
 48 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 is free in its choice of adjectives. Why, talking about 
 a free press " 
 
 "No, we are not talking about a free press, we are 
 talking about bulldogs, which should never be free at 
 all, but forced to remain with muzzles on, chained in 
 their own back yards " 
 
 " fed on bread and water, and beaten with many 
 stripes," interjected Dick. "I hope if there is such a 
 thing as transmigration of souls, I don't come back as 
 your bulldog." 
 
 "You need not be alarmed. It would not surprise me 
 in the least if you did come back as a bulldog; but as I 
 shall never, under any circumstances, own one, you run 
 no risk of belonging to me." 
 
 Dick looked at the girl. She was wearing a trim, 
 tailor-made suit of light weight material ; the neck of 
 her shirtwaist was low and a smooth, beautifully 
 rounded throat rose from it ; her complexion was clear ; 
 her hair was a dark auburn, and he thought her eyes 
 would be a deep, soft brown when the glint of the 
 fray was not in them. 
 
 "Oh, come now," he said in a new tone, "that is 
 rather blunt, don't you know. I would almost be will- 
 ing to be your collie." 
 
 She frowned sternly as she totally ignored his re- 
 mark, and said severely, "And another thing, this is 
 private property. What right have you, or your bull- 
 dog to be trespassing on it?" 
 
 A grin of admiration stole over Dick's face. "Well, 
 really you have a way with you, all right," he said 
 frankly. "When it comes to staking out a bluff you
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 49 
 
 don't go about it in a shy and diffident manner. If 
 any of us three be trespassers, I can prove that it is 
 neither Mulligan nor myself." 
 
 "I have walked here every morning for the last 
 month, and I have never seen either you or the dog 
 before," responded the girl with scarcely perceptible 
 hesitation. 
 
 "I just arrived this morning; but Mulligan has been 
 here all the time, and it is a crime that you have not 
 seen him." 
 
 "A crime?" 
 
 "Yes, a crime. He should have been exercised every 
 day; but instead they have kept him shut up accord- 
 ing to your plan." 
 
 "You know perfectly well that that is not really my 
 plan, even for such menacing creatures as bulldogs," 
 answered the girl, a small note of protest modifying 
 her tone, "but from what I know of the Bannington 
 temperament, I should not think it the kind to take 
 much interest in the welfare of a fellow creature, much 
 less a dumb brute. But then I suppose I should not talk 
 this way. You are a guest, I presume." 
 
 "Yes, that's it, I'm a guest," replied Dick heartily, 
 "but then don't mind me. I am a great admirer of free 
 speech. Won't you take a seat so that we can continue 
 the discussion more comfortably?" 
 
 For the first time the girl appeared to be self-con- 
 scious. "But I don't know you," she said. 
 
 "Well, you're not taking any more risk than I am 
 I don't know you, either. Come on, here's a convenient 
 bench."
 
 50 
 
 
 
 The girl took a few steps toward the bench, hesitated 
 and said, "But this is horribly unconventional." 
 
 "What do you care?" rejoined Dick cheerily. "Most 
 of our really glad hours are. You are not a conven- 
 tional person, anyway. You come on another's property 
 with a snappy dog, and it bites the perfectly behaved 
 dog of a perfect stranger; after which you turn in and 
 abuse the perfect stranger and his perfectly behaved 
 dog. Now, if you have any real objections, trot them 
 out; but don't drag in poor old overworked conven- 
 tionality." 
 
 The girl looked into Dick's eyes inquiringly. They 
 were good eyes, clean and steady, and still, in secret 
 rebellion against his will, holding something of the 
 knightly diffidence of boyhood. She took a few more 
 steps and then with a quizzical smile said, "I really 
 think I should be going." 
 
 "If thy thoughts offend thee, cast them out," re- 
 sponded Dick. "The only way to have any fun with a 
 convention is to break it, and no one knows this better 
 than yourself. If we had been properly introduced you 
 would have been bored to death trying to start a con- 
 versation; whereas, you know that you have fairly 
 revelled in the opportunity to flay a perfect stranger. 
 A few moments ago, I was a perfect stranger, you 
 know." 
 
 "No, you were only a stranger," murmured the girl 
 dreamily. "Men are never perfect." 
 
 "I suppose that is true," assented Dick. "At least it 
 is said often enough. Now, then, sit down and let's 
 have a truce for full five minutes/'
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 51 
 
 The girl was thoroughly enjoying the spice of ad- 
 venture which her carefully trained conscience found 
 quite pungent. She sat on the bench at a safe distance 
 from Dick and looked at Mulligan as though she were 
 really afraid of him. "What is your name?" she asked 
 without raising her eyes. 
 
 Dick waited a moment and then answered : "He does 
 everything except talk. His name is Mulligan." 
 
 "That is stupid. Any one could tell that his name 
 was Mulligan after one glance at his features they 
 are so prize-fightery. I meant what is your name?" 
 
 "My name?" hesitated Dick. "Oh, yes, my name 
 Why, my name is But then, what is yours? It is 
 always customary to give your own name first when 
 asking the name of another." 
 
 "We do not care anything about customs," scoffed 
 the girl. "They are as obsolete as conventions. I claim 
 priority of question what is your name?" 
 
 "Foiled again ! Well, I am not ashamed of my name ; 
 my name is John Paul Jones." 
 
 "John Paul Jones," repeated the girl thoughtfully. 
 "It seems to me that I have heard that name before. 
 I know I have heard the first name, I distinctly recall 
 having heard the second, and I have a vague recollec- 
 tion of having heard the last, while the entire combina- 
 tion, although misty, seems to have rather a familiar 
 sound. I shall be equally frank; my name is Mary 
 Smith." 
 
 "I am pleased to meet you, Miss Smith," said Dick, 
 shaking hands ceremoniously. "Are you any relation 
 to the Smiths who live in Brooklyn?" They both
 
 52 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 laughed and Dick resumed, "But honestly, I am de- 
 lighted to meet you." 
 
 In spite of its burlesque, it was so much like a formal 
 introduction that for a moment they were silent, and 
 then the girl said : "Isn't it odd how little it takes to 
 amuse a human being? Here we have been either 
 talking utter nonsense or else we've been saying the 
 usual things in the usual way, and yet it has been 
 rather interesting." 
 
 "Not so fast," cried Dick eagerly, seeing an oppor- 
 tunity for discussion. "You have accidentally stumbled 
 on the foundation of social relations. It is not what is 
 done in the world that makes us thrill, it is what we do 
 ourselves. There is nothing original about ham and 
 eggs, and yet if you were to cook the ham and eggs, 
 and I were to help you eat them, it would be an un- 
 forgetable feast. It is the 'usness' of the situation 
 which makes it delightful !" 
 
 The girl smiled, but he noticed that the curtains were 
 drawn a shade closer across her frank eyes. "I did not 
 intimate that it was delightful," she said. "I merely 
 remarked on the easy standard by which we measure 
 amusement." 
 
 "That's right, be consistent; if you fail to rub it in 
 completely the first time, try, try again. Do you reside 
 in the neighborhood ?" 
 
 "I don't live so very far just a pleasant walk." 
 
 "I'll swear it would be. When you start back, I shall 
 go along and make the test." 
 
 Again the smile, again were the curtains drawn, and 
 this time she rose, saying : "Oh, no, indeed. And,
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 53 
 
 come to think of it, I must hurry home at once. I must 
 see what has become of Bayard." 
 
 "Bayard is all right. At the rate he was going when 
 last seen, I have no hesitancy in saying that he has ar- 
 rived at his destination, no matter where it was. I 
 want to get better acquainted. Do you do the society 
 much?" 
 
 "Oh, no, I I am a poor girl, you know," she re- 
 plied, seating herself once more. 
 
 Dick made a critical examination as he replied: 
 "You wear no rings; but that may only be a sign of 
 good sense. Your clothes are not very trimmy either ; 
 but that also may only be another sign of good sense. 
 But that collie with the pedigree and the bench ribbons 
 that is neither a sign of good sense nor of poverty." 
 
 "The dog was a gift," answered the girl. "But what 
 do you mean about my clothes not being trimmy?" 
 
 "Well, they haven't any of this uniform stuff on 
 them, nor a lot of that fluffy, flop-doodle flubdub, 
 and" 
 
 "Do you mean that this dress is not becoming ?" de- 
 manded the girl as she tried to pull the skirt a little 
 farther over her walking shoes. 
 
 "Goodness, no ! I trust I am not an arrant coward ; 
 but neither am I absolutely reckless. Your dress is so 
 becoming that it just suits you. It is a a pleasing 
 frame for a perfect picture. It seems part of you, in 
 fact. Why, until a moment ago I was not aware that 
 you had a dress on. Now I see that the reason was 
 
 "Never mind the reason. A man's reason is seldom 
 interesting. It is a slow, dreary, painfal "
 
 54 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Slow?" interrupted Dick. "Why it seems to me " 
 
 "Never mind. I have no hope that you will know 
 any more about seams than you do about fit and trim- 
 ming. We will not discuss it further." 
 
 "Just like a woman ! They make a lot of harsh state- 
 ments and then say, 'we will not discuss it further.' ' 
 
 "And you are just like a man. They always preface 
 every nasty remark with, 'that is just like a woman.' 
 Now, I really must be going." 
 
 She rose as though the interview was ended and 
 this time Dick also stood up. "When am I to see you 
 again?" he asked a little wistfully. 
 
 "How can I tell?" she rejoined and there was a new, 
 delicate shading to her voice also. She had found this 
 stranger refreshing and even youth sometimes has an 
 intuitive instinct to cling to its happy moments. "May- 
 be this evening, maybe to-morrow, maybe never. 
 You are stupid enough to stand as a type of your sex : 
 first you call Bayard a shepherd dog, then you gaze on 
 a charming costume for hours and have the effrontery 
 to say that you did not know I had one on ; and finally, 
 you admire bulldogs. I fail to see anything attractive 
 in the list of your accomplishments." 
 
 "You get discouraged too easily. These attributes 
 you have mentioned are not accomplishments; they 
 are" 
 
 "They are certainly not attractions," interposed the 
 girl. "What are they?" 
 
 "Well, I must say that you have a fine, easy way 
 with you, all right." 
 
 "That is like a man again. Always he pretends that
 
 MULLIGAN, CHAUFFEUR 55 
 
 he is eager for the truth; but always he chooses flat- 
 tery." 
 
 "I couldn't quite help being a man, you know," pro- 
 tested Dick. "Some of us have greatness thrust upon 
 us. But to return to the list of traits. Suppose we call 
 them vices? Wouldn't you like to reform some one so 
 that there may be a star in your crown ?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed! But I prefer better material to work 
 on. Here I have wasted hours on you and you do not 
 show the slightest improvement." 
 
 "That is the second time you have dragged in the 
 word hours; as though we had been marooned on a 
 desert reef for half a lifetime. Now, the time hasn't 
 been so tedious with me. It has danced along like one 
 delicious moment." 
 
 "That was really quite decently said, and I forgive 
 most of your former crudities ; but really I must hurry 
 away." 
 
 "Before you go," said Dick as a last resort, "I want 
 you to shake hands with Mulligan and make the 
 amende honorable" 
 
 "I could never bring myself to touch the creature," 
 cried the girl. "I fear he would bite me." 
 
 "That is rank affectation. You know perfectly well 
 that every bulldog dotes on petting. Why, you could 
 put your hand down his throat and tickle the roots of 
 his tongue, and he would only grin about it." 
 
 "What a delightful privilege!" she mocked. "But I 
 can't quite believe it." 
 
 "Nonsense ! Come now and shake hands with him. 
 He's a sensitive soul in spite of his rugged build."
 
 56 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 i 
 
 Dick seated himself on the bench and took Mulli- 
 gan's broad head between his hands. The girl walked 
 over to them and held out a firm brown hand. The 
 dog was in the act of offering his paw when she sud- 
 denly straightened and said decisively: "I must really 
 go at once ! No, do not try to detain me, I positively 
 must go. Good afternoon." 
 
 Giving him no time for a reply she turned and en- 
 tered the tangled path, walking hastily in the direction 
 from which she had come. Dick gazed after her in 
 helpless surprise for a moment and then he heard a 
 slight sound behind him. Turning, he saw his three 
 friends, and on each face, even on Ivan's, was a know- 
 ing grin.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 MISS BURTON AT THE WHEEL 
 
 T) LESSED is the privilege of friendship. After a ' 
 *-* man is one's friend, it is no longer necessary to 
 regard the little whims and fancies about which one 
 may be sensitive ; while on the other hand one may be 
 sure that if one arrives at an inopportune time, the fact 
 will not be long kept a secret. Dick's expression con- 
 veyed none of the warmth of welcome, nor did his 
 words present the formal courtesy for which the Ori- 
 ental is noted. With simple directness and with some 
 little heat, he demanded: "What the dickens do you 
 fellows want, anyway?" 
 
 "If we had guessed that you had a tryst, we should 
 not have intruded," answered Lorrain blandly. "But 
 why did you not present us? The young lady was 
 charming." 
 
 "Young lady ?" returned Dick. "What young lady ? 
 That's not a young lady; that's merely a poor girl of 
 the neighborhood. She's been taking her prize-winning 
 collie out for a walk. I thought you were going to plan 
 a campaign while I took Mulligan for a work-out. I 
 told you I should join you before three. The poor 
 thing was sadly in need of exercise." 
 
 Lorrain laughed as he put his hand on Dick's shoul- 
 der. "Ah, Richard," he said, "you may become a great 
 
 57
 
 58 THE STEERING WHEEU 
 
 commander, a great orator, or a great politician; but 
 never a great diplomat. The poor Mulligan gets but 
 little of the much-needed exercise, shaking hands with 
 the poor girl of the neighborhood. And what need of 
 a revolution or even a reformation, when the poor 
 girls, wearing exquisite walking gowns, take their 
 prize-winning collies out for exercise? It is now after 
 four o'clock, and where is the collie ?" 
 
 "The collie was a gift. When I said poor girl it did 
 not necessarily imply that she was a slum-dweller. 
 There are graduating levels in poverty. We don't go 
 from golden pheasant to a dry crust in one step. To 
 the richest man all other men are poor ; to the poorest, 
 all other men are rich." Dick was forgetting his irrita- 
 tion in making a path for some of his pet theories. 
 "Now, the main thing is not so much the amount of a 
 man's fortune in the abstract ; but in comparison with 
 that of other men. We must not lose sight of the fact 
 that" 
 
 " that Mulligan needs exercise," interjected Lor- 
 rain, laughing. 
 
 "How can you interrupt with nonsense about a 
 dog?" demanded Ivan, who had been warming his 
 hands at Dick's little blaze. "He had just made a strong 
 point. It is, indeed, not the size of the fortune which 
 counts ; but its comparative size." 
 
 "That is the whole thing in a nut-shell," corrobo- 
 rated Emil. "Man does not select the most comfortable 
 scale on which to live ; constantly he is striving to ac- 
 cumulate more in order that he may on the same scale 
 as the one a little richer than himself live. This is
 
 MISS BURTON AT THE WHEEL 59 
 
 bound in unhappiness to result Take this country for 
 instance: in eighteen hundred the millionaires only 
 numbered " 
 
 "Emil, will you kindly desist?" protested the count. 
 "Always you make me feel like a blackboard. Never 
 do you miss a chance to put a lot of figures on me. 
 Man does not live by statistics alone. And you, Rich- 
 ard, are getting so that you can no longer converse 
 you must ever be making the grand oration. And Ivan 
 so constantly throws suffering humanity in my face 
 that I can taste it. I do not greatly enjoy the taste of 
 suffering humanity." 
 
 "Neither do you seem over anxious to labor for it," 
 chided Ivan. Ivan's world was a vast altar and he spent 
 his life in religious sacrifice. Most of us speak glibly 
 of universal love, but it is generally an idea, not an 
 emotion, and the very man who will be in a panic of 
 sympathy when one of his own pinches a finger will 
 read of a hundred men shut up in a burning mine 
 and forget about it five minutes after. The social con- 
 science marks the highest level to which man has so 
 far advanced; but it is still too isolated to create an 
 epidemic. Ivan was a sensitive nerve center and all the 
 anguish waves of this little round world brought their 
 throbs to his tender heart. His was a beautiful char- 
 acter, but it must be confessed that a streak of humor 
 would have increased his charm as a companion. 
 
 As Lorrain merely made a deprecative gesture in re- 
 sponse to Ivan's remark, Emil said sternly: "Neither 
 do you wish to avail yourself of the necessary facts 
 which will a proper comprehension of real conditions
 
 60 [THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 give. You are like the schools, the colleges, and the uni- 
 versities. In this country /there are four hundred and 
 twenty-three institutions for higher education. Of 
 these only five are with adequate chairs of sociology 
 provided ; and even these " 
 
 "There is more than a grain of truth in all this, Lor- 
 rain," broke in Dick. "If you do not keep in training 
 you can not hope to convince the chance listener whom 
 fate thrusts on you." 
 
 "Chance listener is all right," grumbled Lorrain, 
 "Talk him to death if you are able; but spare me. You 
 are all immensely fond of the parable, listen: A mill 
 there was which never stopped grinding, and much of 
 the time there was no grain to grind ; so in the end the 
 mill ground itself to pieces. Now, never you mind, 
 Emil; I do not care how many mills there are in this 
 country, nor what their capacity is. What I am trying 
 to expound, is that because you lack tact you are apt 
 to become bores, and the bore seldom has much influ- 
 ence. It is impossible to batter down established insti- 
 tutions as a bull would batter down a wall. You are not 
 content to devote yourselves to tearing out a few stones 
 at a time " 
 
 "And at times," interrupted Ivan solemnly, "it seems 
 to me that you are like a fox who would set his fellows 
 to find a way through the wall ; but if he himself found 
 the way first he would go quietly to the sweet grapes 
 and say nothing at all about it." 
 
 "Foxes in this country do not eat grapes, Ivan," said 
 Dick, who saw that his friends were rapidly nearing 
 the point where the abstract argument would be de-
 
 MISS BURTON AT THE WHEEL 61 
 
 serted for the personal taunt. "But looking at this dis- 
 cussion in my usual broad-minded way I am convinced 
 that you are all partly right. It is now too late for us 
 to formulate any plans before dinner; so I suggest that 
 you return to the library and amuse yourselves. I I 
 want to finish Mulligan's exercise now." 
 
 Emil and Ivan looked at Dick in surprise, but Lor- 
 rain grinned knowingly. 
 
 "Poor dog," he said with mock commiseration, "it 
 is readily to be seen that in the condition he now is it 
 would make him nervous to have any one but his mas- 
 ter go walking with him. Come, comrades, let us re- 
 turn to the house." 
 
 "I do not understand," said Emil ponderously. 
 "Obesity is not of nervousness provocative, while so- 
 ciability is most efficacious in the treatment of nervous 
 disorders " 
 
 At this point Lorrain gave Emil a gentle shove and 
 the three returned to the house, Emil continuing his 
 discourse upon the pathology of neuremia. Emil was 
 conversant with the philosophy of humor, but he dealt 
 in it merely as an unsuspected by-product. 
 
 "Lorrain is right," muttered Dick to himself, "our 
 mill grinds too much. I wish that three-fourths of it 
 had remained in the house this afternoon. Well, I am 
 going to see if I can discover the place where the fairy 
 princess enters the enchanted woods. Come on, Mulli- 
 gan, you enticing old mut. You're a cunning little 
 cupid, you are !" 
 
 Dick stooped and seizing his canine friend by the 
 scruff of the neck, he first shook him and then tossed
 
 62 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 him off to the right. This was the cue for Mulligan to 
 growl savagely and spring on his master as though he 
 would tear him to pieces. Engrossed in their rough 
 play, both were startled by a scream, and looking up, 
 Dick found that he had almost collided with a lady in 
 whose expression fear and indignation struggled for 
 the mastery. 
 
 "How dare you allow such a vicious brute as this to 
 run at large?" she demanded. 
 
 Dick's bump of combativeness was healthily promi- 
 nent; furthermore, this lady was not a beautiful young 
 girl of nineteen or twenty. Her hair was streaked with 
 gray. She was tall, angular, and her voice was a trifle 
 harsh. "Now, I'm getting tired of this," he said, not 
 trying to hide his irritation. "In the first place this is 
 not a vicious brute, in the second, he is not running at 
 large, and in the third, he has a right to be the first if 
 he chooses, and to do the second if I choose. Further- 
 more " 
 
 "Have you no regard for the life of another?" in- 
 terposed the lady. "Will your conscience permit you 
 to maintain a beast which is liable at any moment to 
 tear some poor child to pieces? Are you aware that 
 you are trespassing on private land and that if you are 
 discovered " 
 
 "Excuse me," said Dick persuasively; "but while you 
 are framing up a few more questions, I beg leave to 
 ask if you are a member of the Law and Order League 
 or merely an insurance agent ?" 
 
 "How dare you ask me such a question? Of course, 
 I am neither."
 
 MISS BURTON AT THE WHEEL 63 
 
 "Well, that bluff about my being on private land has 
 been pulled on me once before to-day, and it just oc- 
 curred to me that I should like to know what it was 
 which made your presence here necessary." 
 
 For an instant a shade of feminine trepidation 
 crossed the lady's face; there are very few of us who 
 do not get comfort out of feeling that we are right 
 when we put on the high gear to go ahead; and there 
 was an assurance in Dick's attitude which implied firm 
 faith in his own position. The lady was not without 
 courage, however, so she tossed back her head and gave 
 Dick a haughty glare. 
 
 "Really, your question is most impertinent," she 
 stated convincingly, "but the truth is that I am looking 
 for a girl, a mere child, who came here to take a walk." 
 
 Instantly many subtle changes took place in Dick's 
 expression. "Yes, of course," he said soothingly, "and 
 what is the child's name and where does she live? I 
 shall be only too glad to assist in finding her." 
 
 The lady glanced at him sharply. "I do not feel that 
 it is necessary to tell you either her name or address," 
 she replied with cautious finality. "It is plainly evident 
 that you have not seen her, and are therefore not in a 
 position to aid me; so if you will hold that ferocious 
 animal, I shall withdraw." 
 
 Without deigning to bow, the lady turned and 
 started to retrace her steps with much stiffness. "Yes, 
 but wait," called Dick. "Did the child have a dog with 
 her?" 
 
 "She did. Did you see them ?" 
 
 "A big, rough, wolfish sort of a mongrel?" The
 
 64 THE STEERING WHEEU 
 
 lady nodded her head. She was evidently more eager 
 to find the girl than to have the dog treated with con- 
 sideration. "Savage temper," continued Dick, "nasty 
 habit of leaping on peaceful, law-abiding dogs and at- 
 tempting to slay them name, Bayard?" 
 
 "Yes, that was the dog," replied the lady eagerly. 
 "Where have they gone?" 
 
 "They have gone," began Dick, then paused and put 
 on an expression of deep import "But no, you have 
 refused to tell me her address, I refuse to reveal her 
 present whereabouts." 
 
 Dick folded his arms and frowned loftily. Little 
 lines of anxiety formed about the lady's eyes. "But 
 the conditions are entirely different," she pleaded. "I 
 am worried about her." 
 
 "And you have good cause." 
 
 "Why, what do you mean? You alarm me! Tell 
 me where she is ?" 
 
 Dick's manner again changed. "Do you know on 
 whose property you are now standing?" he flashed, 
 pointing tragically at her feet. 
 
 It requires more than a strong mind to remove the 
 feminine entirely from a woman. The lady seized her 
 skirts and jumped. "For pity's sake, do not speak like 
 that!" she cried indignantly. "You are making me 
 nervous." 
 
 "You have good cause to be nervous. Do you know 
 whose property this is?" 
 
 "Yes, I know whose property this is, most assuredly. 
 Why?" 
 
 Dick slowly took a pencil and note-book from his
 
 MISS BURTON AT THE WHEEL 65 
 
 pocket. "Now, then, I am ready. What is your 
 name?" 
 
 "I do wish that you would stop! I refuse to tell 
 you my name." 
 
 "Then," said Dick quietly, "I shall be forced to take 
 you to headquarters." 
 
 "Don't you dare to touch me !" 
 
 "Then you must answer my questions. Is the child 
 you are seeking your daughter?" 
 
 "Certainly not. I am unmarried." 
 
 Dick wrote the answer with inflexible gravity. "Very 
 good," he said. "Is she related to you?" 
 
 "Yes, she is a cousin, several times removed." 
 
 "Does she live with you ?" 
 
 "Why are you asking me these questions, and what 
 right have you to do it ?" 
 
 "Madam," replied Dick with condescending cour- 
 tesy, "if you were more conversant with modern con- 
 ditions, you would know that most of us are forced 
 to do things repugnant to us, in order to make a living. 
 Again I ask you, does she live with you?" 
 
 "What is your position here?" 
 
 "In the future, I am to be inspector of grounds, and 
 it will be my painful duty to prevent trespassing. Does 
 she live with you?" 
 
 "When did you come here?" 
 
 "This morning, thank you. Does she live with 
 you?" 
 
 "Yes, she does live with me." 
 
 "Thank you. Now, then, what is your name?" 
 Dick held his pencil poised and kept his eyes on the
 
 66 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 note-book. The lady swallowed twice, and it was ap- 
 parent that what she swallowed was of a very bitter 
 taste. 
 
 "I am Miss Burton, and now I have answered all 
 that I intend to. I presume that you are acting under 
 orders; but if I were a big strong man like you, I 
 should be ashamed to get my living in such a way. I 
 have answered your questions, and now I want you to 
 answer mine. Here is fifty cents as a tip. Where is 
 this girl and her dog?" 
 
 After examining it carefully, even going to the ex- 
 tent of biting it, Dick put the coin in his pocket, with 
 an expression of great virtue on his face. "I pledge 
 you my word of honor, I do not know," he answered. 
 "The dog left quite suddenly and did not mention his 
 destination. The girl was a trifle more deliberate, but 
 was equally reticent regarding her name and address. 
 Therefore, I am deeply grateful for the kind infor- 
 mation which you have so graciously bestowed." 
 
 For a moment the lady glared at him, while her 
 vials of wrath began to effervesce noticeably. "You 
 are exactly the kind of servant I should expect to find 
 in the Bannington menage," she finally said with a 
 slight tremble in her voice. "But I am convinced that 
 your churlish manners are due to your despicable 
 position, as there is a completeness to your vulgarity 
 which is entirely beyond the simplicity of ignorance. 
 Will you kindly control that vicious beast until I have 
 had time to leave the grounds?" 
 
 Carrying her head at the most haughty angle, and 
 planting her feet with dignified firmness, the lady
 
 MISS BURTON AT THE WHEEL 67 
 
 strode wrath fully along the little path until the tangle 
 swallowed her. 
 
 "What a discriminating command of language!" 
 exclaimed Dick, gazing after her admiringly. "How 
 seldom it is that we find one who comprehends the 
 beautiful spreading power of our dear old mother 
 tongue! Now, she did not use one word of profanity, 
 and yet she brought out all its rich effects." 
 
 Suddenly the. hilarious joy of his afternoon's ad- 
 ventures swept over him and he broke into a peal of 
 laughter. Forgotten was his life-mission; forgotten 
 was the great dignity of his venerable age. He slapped 
 his thighs; he performed a grotesque war-dance; he 
 chanted a nonsense rhyme which began: "Oh, rich, 
 rich, gloriously rich!" and as Mulligan caught the 
 spirit and frolicked with him, a stranger would have 
 been justified in taking him for a mere college boy, 
 gloating over a successful prank. 
 
 At last he sank on the bench and gave a long con- 
 tented sigh. The bulldog leaped to the seat beside him 
 and endeavored to lick his chin. "Mulligan, old sport," 
 he said, throwing an arm about the dog, "I don't blame 
 you for getting cross. I'd be fairly raving if I were 
 chained up with all this glorious game right at my 
 very own door. The young one certainly has loosened 
 the lock on my heart, Mulligan; but the old one 
 strained all my intercostal muscles. If I had started 
 to chuckle while she was yet with us, I should have 
 died in a convulsion. My Vulgarity is too complete 
 for the simplicity of ignorance, wherefore it must be 
 laid to my despicable position' and she gave me a
 
 68 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 tip! Oh, Mulligan, after all, life is sometimes wortH 
 the candle. 
 
 "Well, we must hie home and tog up for the even- 
 ing feed. No knowing what may happen if the earnest 
 Ivan and my respected uncle lock horns. Come, fat- 
 head, I can beat you to the house." 
 
 Leaping, dodging, and making joyously incoherent 
 noises, the scion of the house of Bannington and the 
 bulldog that no longer suffered from ennui, tore along 
 the path which led to the house, and the evening shad- 
 ows gathered in the fifteen private acres of Bannington 
 Park.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE MACHINE SKIDS 
 
 AS the three friends left Dick and returned to the 
 ** house, they were forced to walk single file. Emil 
 walked in front and lectured learnedly on the nerves. 
 As he progressed in distance, he also enlarged on his 
 subject. In a short time he had deserted the merely 
 physical attributes of the nerves, and dwelt lovingly 
 on the effect which social evolution had had on them ; 
 pointing out that the primitive man, who knew not that 
 he had nerves, was the only man who found undiluted 
 pleasure in them, showing that even the moderate de- 
 velopment from savagery to barbarism had started 
 the nerves to jangling, while civilization had goaded 
 them to such a state of supersensitiveness that simple 
 conservatism required one to look on insanity as a 
 natural and useful safety-valve. 
 
 Ivan, who walked next, glanced from time to time 
 at the broad shoulders of the plump Emil, and mar- 
 veled that civilized nerves should under any circum- 
 stances select such an apparently phlegmatic environ- 
 ment. But Ivan's mind was busy on other things. 
 He had given the servants, in Dick's name and at 
 Dick's request, a dozen or so pamphlets, and he was 
 speculating on the possible crop which this small 
 sowing might yield. Ivan did not have a mission in 
 
 69
 
 70 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 life; a mission in life had him, and the conditions are 
 distinctly different. At the first intersection Lorrain 
 turned from the path they were following and started 
 off at a tangent with a sigh of relief. 
 
 "The nerves in the human body correspond to the 
 telegraph and telephone in the social body," said Emil, 
 threatening Ivan with upraised finger as they seated 
 themselves in the library. "It is possible to send so 
 high a voltage over a wire that it will fuse. Now in 
 the body " 
 
 "What do you think is the reason that house-serv- 
 ants are so hard to convince ?" interrupted Ivan reflec- 
 tively. "The servants in this household seem to be 
 intelligent, and they accepted the pamphlets I gave 
 them, but as a class, domestic servants are only to be 
 won with much effort." 
 
 "Are they ill-fed?" demanded Emil sternly. "Are 
 they unexpectedly thrown out of employment? Do 
 they live in wretched slums and see their children out 
 of garbage pails eat? No, they, on the contrary, amidst 
 luxury live, and they, in a measure, are parasites. The 
 wild wolf is often hungry, but he would sooner starve 
 to death than give up his freedom. Could you imagine 
 a flea braving famine and pestilence his independence 
 to gain. Whenever I wish accurate information to 
 gain, I to myself some animal who is like some man, 
 picture, and then I see how it is exactly. Through 
 evolution, man " 
 
 "It is a noble thing for Dick to oppose his uncle's 
 will," murmured Ivan thoughtfully. "I wonder how 
 it will turn out."
 
 THE MACHINE SKIDS 71 
 
 "Dick is beyond accurate solution," replied Emil. 
 "He has never been hungry, he has never seen his 
 ideals trampled underfoot while he had to stand by and 
 pretend to smile. Never yet has he been tried by the 
 fierceness of real fire. With curiosity his outcome I 
 await." 
 
 "He is with the movement, heart and soul," said 
 Ivan staunchly. 
 
 "Bah," returned Emil, waving his hand. "A scien- 
 tific socialist he is not. It is with him a pastime, a 
 game. Much joy a struggle, a combat, gives him. If 
 it were to be a bloody revolution, yes ; but to see with 
 clearness and yet with patience to wait, ah, who can 
 tell ? He is not a reality socialist." 
 
 "He has the heart of a socialist," said Ivan with 
 fervor. 
 
 "Socialism is not of the heart," replied Emil scorn- 
 fully. "Socialism is cold and unflinching and just. 
 Socialism is of the head." 
 
 "Yes, but the heart has reasons, which the reason 
 does not know," answered Ivan with feeling. 
 
 "Pascal," grunted Emil. As a rule Emil did not 
 refer to authorities. If one of his associates was 
 deluded into thinking that he had formulated an 
 original package for a thought, he usually contented 
 himself with repeating the actual author mentally. 
 When he spoke the name aloud it was a sign that the 
 remark had irritated him. "You, yourself, a socialism 
 have, which is more of religion than of science," he 
 said. "You still believe that the world can be made 
 right by one heart at a time converting, while I "
 
 72 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 At this moment Lorrain entered. "It seems that 
 our friend, Dick, is going to have other affairs in his 
 own country than helping along the revolution. Well, 
 the girl was a beauty and I admire his taste." 
 
 "She is probably a worker in the cause," said Ivan 
 reverently. 
 
 "Such a worker as that would be good for any 
 cause," laughed Lorrain. 
 
 "There are to-day," said Emil placidly, "over fifteen 
 million women who have at heart the great, peaceful 
 revolution. Why, in Russia alone " 
 
 "Never mind Russia, Emil," scoffed Lorrain. "No 
 one in Russia is ever peaceful." 
 
 "The people of Russia are as peaceful as any peo- 
 ple," defended Ivan. "You also in France had a 
 Reign of Terror." 
 
 "Very true," granted Lorrain condescendingly, "but 
 we had it as an acute attack, only, and recovered ; while 
 you have it chronically." 
 
 "Nevertheless," vouchsafed Emil, "the loss of life 
 during the Reign of Terror was " 
 
 "Emil, stop," shouted Lorrain who had no weapon 
 with which to fight the stolid German. "Do you real- 
 ize that it is almost a reign of terror to live with you? 
 One can not converse on any subject without having 
 you pour a flood of figures on him. I wonder where 
 all the servants are?" 
 
 "They are intelligent servants," answered Ivan. "I 
 have talked with them and given them pamphlets. I 
 think they will join the cause." 
 
 "If you are not circumspect, Uncle Richard will tell
 
 THE MACHINE SKIDS 73 
 
 you to join those who have died in their sins," laughed 
 Lorrain. "Let us play a game of billiards; there is 
 a good table on the third floor." 
 
 "No," replied Ivan, "I have no time to waste on a 
 mere game when the world is crying out for me to 
 save it." 
 
 "You have a wondrous capacity for enjoyment, 
 Ivan," said Lorrain satirically. "Well, you go and 
 save as much of the world as you can ; but you'll take 
 a cue, won't you, Emil ?" 
 
 "If one is to keep at one's best, it is essential the 
 well-rounded life to live," replied Emil. "In billiards 
 one has exercise for the body and the mind; while if 
 the game is close, the emotions also are into play 
 brought. I shall be glad to take a cue." 
 
 "That's right," said Lorrain, taking his friend's 
 arm and leading him to the stairway. 
 
 "Are you aware," said Emil, as his bosom began to 
 expand with the joy of competitive pastime, "that in 
 the average game of billiards the cue-ball a distance 
 of two and one-third kilometers travels ; while in the 
 game played by experts, the ball only " 
 
 Ivan rose and strolled moodily out to the barn. 
 Ivan often doubted that knowledge was power. Some- 
 times it seemed to him that it was merely a locomotive 
 still unfinished in the shops. 
 
 Shortly after this the head of the house returned 
 and rang the front door-bell. He greatly enjoyed 
 having the butler open the front door and bow respect- 
 fully as he entered. It seemed to him that his busi- 
 ness cares were removed from his shoulders when the
 
 74 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 butler opened the door, and for years it had been 
 opened at the first touch of the electric button. This 
 time there was no response. 
 
 It had been a hard day and Bannington had been 
 hoping that he would find his nephew in a more compli- 
 ant mood than he had left him. He did not intend to 
 talk business with him, however ; he was determined to 
 bury his own troubles and bring the boy out, lead 
 him into talking of his trip and then work gradually 
 up to a discussion of practical things at home and 
 abroad. Richard Bannington lived in a strictly prac- 
 tical world, or, which is much the same thing, he was 
 convinced that he did. There was nothing outwardly 
 practical in a man with a latch-key in his pocket stand- 
 ing on his own door-step and punching savagely at 
 an electric button, but this he continued to do for 
 several minutes while his anger took audible and 
 slightly profane expression. 
 
 Finally he opened the door with his key and after 
 entering, slammed it with a bang. He strode down the 
 hall and into the library. It was empty and he crossed 
 and entered the drawing-room. There he saw the 
 maid sitting in the most comfortable chair and read- 
 ing a pamphlet. For a moment Bannington stood still 
 in a daze. He had never before doubted that his 
 establishment was run on systematic and practical 
 lines. Dick had severely criticized its looseness during 
 his last vacation ; but to the elder man, it moved with 
 mechanical precision, and he could scarcely believe 
 his eyes. 
 
 Gladys had only read three pages of the pamphlet
 
 THE MACHINE SKIDS 75 
 
 which she had selected before she was convinced that 
 she favored the revolution and that it loomed large 
 on the immediate horizon. As she was fond of excite- 
 ment, she at once decided that it was her duty to lend 
 the movement her aid, and that without delay. The 
 other servants were slower, the men being opposed to 
 any active demonstrations at this time; but the cook 
 was still smarting from Dick's reprimand and she 
 stood with the maid. The men were shamed into 
 joining the rebellion by Gladys agreeing to take her 
 post in the front of the house and meeting the first 
 attack. Thus, the domestic staff was practically on 
 strike. 
 
 Gladys' heart was beating rapidly when Bannington 
 paused in consternation at the drawing-room door. 
 She had gone over her speech of defiance, she knew 
 that she was merely carrying into practice the theories 
 which the son of the house advocated; but when the 
 vital moment arrived the situation assumed entirely 
 new proportions. She kept repeating to herself : "I have 
 nothing to lose but my chains, I have nothing to lose 
 but my chains;" but just at this time the chains them- 
 selves became unexpectedly attractive, and appeared 
 to be her normal support in a position of comparative 
 ease and comfort. Still, she always wanted to know 
 how things were going to turn out, so she kept her 
 eyes on the pamphlet and hoped that her voice would 
 not break when she proceeded to maintain her inalien- 
 able rights. 
 
 "Where is that fool butler?" demanded Bannington, 
 stamping his foot. The maid gave a little bounce but
 
 76 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 did not raise her eyes. "I mean you where is that 
 fool butler?" 
 
 The maid raised her eyes slowly and a thrill of 
 pride shot through her as she answered with outward 
 calm: "I do not know any fool butler." 
 
 "You don't, huh ?" Bannington was still too shocked 
 to appreciate the conditions. "Well, there was a per- 
 son answering to that description by the name of Hig- 
 gins, still in my employ when I left this morning. 
 Where is he?" ' 
 
 "I last saw Mr. Higgins in the dining-room a half- 
 hour ago," replied Gladys with quiet dignity. 
 
 Bannington emitted a growling snort. "What was he 
 doing? Stand up when I come in, and when you do 
 sit down, find some other place. L What are you read- 
 ing? Give it to me!" 
 
 The maid tried with all her strength to remain 
 seated; she found it impossible. Something within 
 her raised her to her feet and made her take a step 
 toward her employer. 
 
 "Where did you get it?" he asked as he jerked the 
 pamphlet from her hand. 
 
 "It was given to me by Mr. Dick, sir." 
 
 Bannington turned the book over savagely and read 
 its title aloud: "The Uncontr avertible Land-title 
 Theory. Have you any land-titles which are bother- 
 ing you?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 "Then why the devil do you bother the land-titles? 
 Now, you've gone just as far on this road as it's 
 healthy. Here tear this thing up and throw it in
 
 THE MACHINE SKIDS 77 
 
 the scrap basket; and send that fool butler to me at 
 once." 
 
 The maid tore the pamphlet with malicious resent- 
 ment and hastened from the room; while Bannington 
 doubled up his fists and made violent gestures. "This 
 is enough to give a man paresis!" he exclaimed sav- 
 agely. "Here I have been working my head off try- 
 ing to keep the Bannington plant in the lead, longing 
 for the time to come when that young cub could 
 buckle to and help me ; and now he comes back with a 
 trio of educated tramps and a cart-load of fool theories 
 and begins work by distributing anarchist tracts to 
 my servants. I suppose I'll have to fire the lot of 
 them just as I've got them so they suit me ; but I can't 
 very well fire him. Oh, hang the luck, anyway !" 
 
 He whirled about as he finished and came face to 
 face with the butler who had entered the room with 
 evident reluctance. Bannington stood and glared at him 
 and the butler swallowed repeatedly and at each swal- 
 low looked a shade more like an embarrassed white 
 rabbit. 
 
 After staring at him until Higgins felt the cold 
 sweat breaking out on his forehead, Bannington sur- 
 prised him by asking in a very mild tone : "What is 
 that in your hand, Higgins?" 
 
 The mild tone suggested a hidden menace and was 
 far more sinister than the harsh demand, against which 
 Higgins had braced himself, would have been. "This 
 is a book, sir, which Mr. Dick requested me to read," 
 he answered apologetically. 
 
 "A book, is it?" asked that young man's uncle with
 
 78 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 gentle interest, although flames seemed to shoot from 
 his eyes. "What is the title of the book, Higgins ?" 
 
 "U U Universal Brotherhood, or the Law of 
 'Equal Inheritance, sir," replied the butler desperately. 
 
 "Have you lost any brothers, Higgins?" inquired 
 Bannington solicitously. 
 
 "N no, sir." 
 
 "I congratulate you. Have you inherited any- 
 thing?" 
 
 "No, sir but this book says that I am entitled to 
 something, just because I'm a man." 
 
 "You're not a man, Higgins," said Bannington, as 
 one who kindly imparted a welcome fact. "You're an 
 imbecile. Have you read that stuff?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "What does it say?" 
 
 "Why, it says that no man is entitled to any more 
 than he can use himself." 
 
 "Well, have you any more than you can use yourself, 
 Higgins?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 "Then, what the devil are you worrying about? 
 What else does it say?" 
 
 "It says that the men of this generation should be 
 willing to endure hardships in order to bring about 
 perfect conditions for the next generation." 
 
 "Oh, I see," said Bannington. "Well, aren't you en- 
 during all the hardships you want?" 
 
 "Yes, sir, of course, sir; but it means that we should 
 be willing to fight for our rights."
 
 THE MACHINE SKIDS 79 
 
 "Fight! Fight for your rights? When do you 
 expect to begin ?" 
 
 "I don't think it actually means to fight, but to learn 
 how to vote." 
 
 "Well, if present conditions continue until you learn 
 how to vote, that is plenty for me." Bannington's voice 
 had a shade more grimness this time, and he snapped 
 out the next question : "Have you been sitting down 
 where you had no right to?" 
 
 "Only for a moment, sir," answered Higgins, back- 
 ing a step. "This book says that no man is entitled 
 to any more property than he can use himself, and 
 as you were not using that big " 
 
 "And I am not using this book, either!" exclaimed 
 Bannington, picking up a copy of poems which lay on 
 the center-table. Higgins dodged and the book flew 
 over his head. "And I am not using my cane, either," 
 he continued ferociously, but Higgins was already 
 in full retreat toward the dining-room. 
 
 "Oh, this is glorious !" said Bannington, wiping his 
 brow. His voice was still bitter, but there was a 
 twinkle in his eyes. He was supposed to be a man with 
 only one trait, only one emotion, only one purpose ; but 
 the truth was, that one would have to drill through a 
 great many strata before reaching the bedrock of 
 old Bannington himself. 
 
 "How glad I am that my beloved nephew has re- 
 ceived an education !" he continued satirically. "How 
 very cheerfully I shall welcome that university com- 
 mittee which has an appointment with me to-morrow !
 
 80 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 They will not receive a check, merely they will re- 
 ceive a full stop." 
 
 He walked over to the pier glass and surveyed him- 
 self in silence. The reflection showed a man above 
 medium height, of massive build, with the eyes of an 
 eagle flashing out from beneath heavy, overhanging 
 eyebrows, a wide mouth and a heavy chin. Bannington 
 surveyed his image seriously for several seconds, and 
 then a grin stole across his grim features and he 
 clenched his fists and shrugged his shoulders. 
 
 "I suppose," he said to his reflection, "that there is 
 no possible way to avoid it once a fighting man, al- 
 ways a fighting man and there's a blamed good fight 
 in me yet." 
 
 A queer, wistful expression next came to his eyes, 
 and as he continued to look into the mirror, his 
 mouth relaxed and he became even a little tender. 
 "And the boy has fighting blood, too," he said. "He's 
 a Bannington, he's a Bannington to the core, and I 
 want him to fight with me." His lips hardened once 
 more and his eyes took on dogged determination. 
 "He has to fight with me." 
 
 Bannington turned and started toward the hall, but 
 before he reached the door Claude Lorrain, the count 
 who had thrown aside his patrimony, sauntered 
 through it, arrayed in perfectly fitting evening clothes. 
 The two men looked each other steadily in the eyes.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 X 
 
 UNCLE RICHARD PICKS THE PATH 
 
 IT was seldom, indeed, that Claude Lorrain was 
 flustered and although he perceived that Mr. Ban- 
 nington was still agitated over some recent occurrence, 
 he displayed no embarrassment. "Good evening, Mr. 
 Bannington," he said easily. "You seem warm." 
 
 "I am warm," snapped Mr. Bannington, who never 
 permitted pleasant manners to mollify him before he 
 had enjoyed to the full the luxury of being thoroughly 
 aroused. "Where is my nephew ?" 
 
 "I have not seen him for some time. He took his 
 dog for a walk." 
 
 "No wonder they get along well together. They 
 take the same practical view of life. Are you an 
 anarchist, too?" 
 
 "Oh, my dear Mr. Bannington!" laughed Lorrain, 
 as if replying to a pleasantry. "Of course I take a 
 deep interest in the modern trend, but I trust I am 
 not unreasonable." 
 
 "Then you have a marked advantage over my 
 nephew. All his life he has been exercising and devel- 
 oping and training every part of his make-up except 
 his reason. He's about as stable and trustworthy as 
 a toy balloon." 
 
 "Oh, no, not so bad as that ; although I must admit 
 
 81
 
 82 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 that at times his enthusiasm impels him to yield too 
 hastily to the natural instincts of his warm heart." 
 
 Bannington drew down the corners of his mouth 
 and looked at his guest critically. "Yes, I can easily 
 believe you," he said dryly. "How did he happen to 
 meet you and your friends ?" 
 
 "We met in Paris. Our mutual interest in modern 
 sociology was the magnet which drew us together." 
 
 At this juncture Emil and Ivan entered. They did 
 not wear evening dress: Emil continued to wear the 
 same impossible brown suit, covered with tobacco 
 ashes and with the pockets bulging with newspaper 
 clippings and government reports. His bristly hair 
 had been brushed to its most aggressive angle, his 
 broad-toed shoes had been polished, but he had made 
 no other preparations for dinner. Ivan's dark hair 
 had been carefully parted in the middle and his face 
 bore the peculiar sheen which a strenuous use of soap 
 imparts, but he also wore the same clothes in which 
 he had arrived. The suit was a dingy black, the coat 
 too long in the body and too short in the sleeves, the 
 trousers too tight, but so long that they wrinkled 
 grotesquely. 
 
 Bannington possessed a dress-suit which he had 
 owned twenty years and worn half that many times but 
 it was one of his inconsistencies to like to have Dick 
 dress for dinner. He gave the two men a nod and 
 asked Lorrain: "And do you believe that all the 
 wealth should be divided equally?" 
 
 "Heavens, no!" replied Lorrain. "I am perfectly 
 aware that after we become fully enlightened, each
 
 UNCLE PICKS THE PATH 83 
 
 year's production will be divided equally; but the 
 change from one system to another must, perforce, be 
 long and tedious. I am not one of those who think 
 that all that is necessary to turn this crude old world 
 into a blooming paradise is to hand its control over to 
 the infallible guidance of the inspired labor leaders." 
 
 "Yes, but in time it will be turned over to them," 
 said Ivan fervently. Lorrain's voice was even and 
 musical. He always spoke slowly enough to give 
 each word its proper terminal, which served to add to 
 his cynical attitude. Ivan's voice was high-pitched and 
 inclined to vibrate with passion. The effect was not 
 artistic. "It will be turned over to them," he repeated. 
 "It is inevitable past history indicates it, present con- 
 ditions remove all possibility for doubt, and every 
 opening vista of the future discloses it in all its radiant 
 splendor. There is no use " 
 
 "You're the one," interrupted Bannington, who had 
 been studying him closely. "You're the very one. 
 You're the source of all this natural-gas eloquence 
 which burst forth from my fool nephew this morning. 
 'Every opening vista of the future discloses it in all its 
 radiant splendor.' Oh, that is Dick, all right that 
 is exactly the kind of trail that he is trying to leave. 
 'Radiant splendor!' Yes, Dick's enthusiasm would 
 hand that out and then hug itself for two hours. Well, 
 you take it from me that Dick is going into the future 
 as a man steps out of a second story window and lights 
 on the top of his head. He'll see all the radiant splen- 
 dor he can stand oh, yes, he'll see stars enough to 
 furnish him with open vistas for the rest of time."
 
 84 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "It is easy enough for a man to talk satire," said 
 Emil, holding up a pudgy finger. Emil's voice was 
 guttural and heavy, he rolled his r's and interchanged 
 his t's and d's to a large degree ; but his facial expres- 
 sions drew all attention from his articulation. The 
 pupils of his eyes were small and he had the power of 
 opening his lids until the pupils appeared to be little 
 globes floating in a milky sky. He pursed up his lids, 
 he twisted his head from side to side, and each time 
 that he made what he conceded to be a point, he would 
 seek to illustrate it and clench it by an appropriate 
 facial expression. He also used gestures freely, es- 
 pecially that of prodding at his listener's face with his 
 forefinger, as though he would calk home his argu- 
 ments after the manner of a ship's carpenter. 
 
 "Satire," he continued candidly, "is the makeshift 
 of the man who has been successful in one direction, 
 but who has not broadened himself by a complete 
 course of general study. Now carefully the conditions 
 in your own country weigh. The two old parties for- 
 merly represented fixed principles opposed to each 
 other diametrically. Now, to-day, the principles are 
 like unto the counters in a store, while the real wares 
 of the parties are cunningly designed doctrines, thrown 
 on the counters like holiday novelties, and made simply 
 votes to catch and they are much alike and they are 
 all diluted imitations of socialism. Take, too, the 
 vote. In eighteen seventy-two the population of the 
 United States was thirty-nine million, three hundred 
 seventy-four thousand, the Republican vote was three 
 million, five hundred "
 
 UNCLE PICKS THE PATH 85 
 
 "What does all this amount to, anyway?" broke in 
 Bannington bruskly. He was too much an American to 
 resist the fascination of argument. "Governments are 
 no longer political, they are commercial. Political 
 orations, like graduation essays, are beautiful; but 
 they are not business. You seem to possess some 
 knowledge without having the judgment to use it. We 
 find it advisable to retain the forms of political govern- 
 ment in order to give the masses a sort of show they 
 like a show, you know and we make them believe that 
 the vote is a wonderful thing. It attracts their atten- 
 tion and tickles their conceit ; but you must not think 
 that we should be fools enough to hand over the really 
 important affairs of this country to a lot of incompe- 
 tents, elected by the whims and prejudices of unregu- 
 lated ignorance. Not on your life! What we need is 
 good, practical, reliable, business government; and " 
 
 "What we need even more than this is some decent 
 servants in this household !" exclaimed Dick, who had 
 hastily entered in time to hear his uncle's closing re- 
 mark. "It took me half an hour to get enough warm 
 water to shave with, and the way Mulligan has been 
 abused while I was away is nothing short of a crime." 
 
 "Yes," replied Bannington, who noted that his 
 nephew was not in evening dress, "and you come back 
 more idiotic than ever, and the very first day you give 
 them enough fairy tales to scramble what little brains 
 they already had. Confound you, I have spent consid- 
 erable time making these servants over to suit myself, 
 and I wish that you " 
 
 "Oh, that's all right," said Dick reassuringly. "I're
 
 86 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 fixed all that. I've had a little talk with them and 
 they see now that it is wrong to apply great sociolog- 
 ical truths in a narrow, domestic manner I had to 
 shake Higgins a little. He's as literal as a time-table. 
 The cook had decided to dispense with dinner and give 
 a plain, wholesome supper, but I have arranged all 
 that. Dinner will probably be a little late, but that 
 will give us a chance to rub up our acquaintance a 
 little, Uncle mine." 
 
 Richard Bannington could not resist the boy. He 
 kept his eyes on him as he spoke, and w T hen he had 
 finished, said: "Yes, Dick, I do want to have a talk 
 with you. I wonder if " 
 
 "Surest thing in the world," replied Dick, catching 
 his uncle's meaning. "Boys, you trot along up to the 
 billiard-hall or you can stay here and we shall." 
 
 "Certainly," answered Lorrain. "We can perfectly 
 understand your desire to be alone; au revoir" 
 
 As soon as the guests had left the room Bannington 
 put his hand on Dick's shoulder and said in a friendly, 
 quizzical tone: "Dick, you always were an odd little 
 chap. You always did object to law; but after 
 all, you generally managed to come around and do the 
 right thing in your own fashion. How long is it going 
 to take for this nonsense to wear off?" 
 
 "This is not nonsense, Uncle," answered Dick 
 soberly, "and it never will wear off. I am enlisted in 
 the cause of suffering humanity " 
 
 "Now cut that out with me ! I have had my fill of 
 the gorgeous vistas of the radiant future, and all that 
 rot. They are your guests, Dick, but if they should
 
 UNCLE PICKS THE PATH 87 
 
 attempt to escape, I should not use force to detain 
 them. Dick, the Bannington plant is in a hard way. 
 Are you going to pitch in and help ; or are you going 
 to let it go?" 
 
 "I don't like to seem ungrateful," answered Dick 
 slowly and seriously, "but I feel that I must do my best 
 to save the common people." 
 
 "Well, save them save all you want of them," 
 snapped the old man. "Do you think that I want to 
 do away with them ? Do you think that I do not know 
 that they are just as necessary as any other raw mate- 
 rial? That is the trouble with you open-mouthed re- 
 formers ; you haven't business sense enough to see that 
 it is economical to keep the workman at his best and 
 a successful manufacturer never overlooks economy." 
 Richard paused and looked sharply at his nephew 
 for a moment before continuing sarcastically, "When 
 a workman is so feeble from lack of nourishment, 
 Dick, that he can barely totter around, he don't turn 
 out enough stuff, and that's the chief end of industry. 
 To be perfectly frank with you, not one of our work- 
 men has starved to death for a great number of 
 years." 
 
 "Still, a man has other needs " began Dick, but 
 his uncle stopped him with a gesture of disgust. 
 
 "Oh, Dick, kindly spare me!" he said. "I know all 
 that. And I have other needs and even you have other 
 needs ; but I'll tell you once and for all, that the needs 
 of my business the old Bannington Steel Plant 
 come before everything else in the world with me, and 
 I'm willing to fight for it"
 
 88 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "What is wrong with it?" asked Dick with increas- 
 ing gravity. 
 
 "Burton," growled the old man, "Burton is wrong 
 with it. Twice I've had him whipped, clear beaten, 
 down and out, and both times some fool relation died 
 and left him enough to come back at me. He is all 
 business, Dick, I'll say that for him. When he wants 
 a good man he is willing to pay for him advertiser, 
 salesman, judge or legislator if he wants him he pays 
 the price, and it's tough competition. Talk about war 
 being hell! Why, it's a game of ball beside business! 
 You fix for a battle; when that is fought you know 
 where you are, but in business you never know where 
 you are. Day and night, night and day, you have to 
 watch it, v/atch it, watch it; and Dick, I'm getting old." 
 
 Dick remained silent while his eyes followed the 
 line of molding which ran below the ceiling. It was 
 apparent that he was thinking deeply, and that his 
 uncle's words were making a strong impression. 
 
 "You half-baked theorists talk about the master- 
 class as though it were some giant with a club in his 
 right hand, and a horn of plenty in his left; but that's 
 not the way it works out. Some of our interests are 
 mutual, but we're individualists, and each little indi- 
 vidual is putting up his own little individual fight. 
 You're big enough and strong enough to put up a 
 good fight, my boy. We need all the Bannington 
 blood to protect the Bannington plant. You're not 
 going back on your blood, are you, Dick ?" 
 
 The boy's eyes fell to the carpet, and he made no 
 reply. The night sounds drifted in from the park,
 
 UNCLE PICKS THE PATH 89 
 
 chirp and twitter and buzz; and they brought with 
 them the twilight mixture of loneliness and home-feel- 
 ing. The evening dews loosed the evening scents and 
 they floated in and aroused the old memories. Scenes 
 of carnage and violence do not mark the real struggles ; 
 all the battles of life take place within the human soul 
 and still the boy's eyes rested on the carpet, and 
 still he sat in silence.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 DICK VETOES THE CHOICE 
 
 T) ANNINGTON seated himself and Dick rose and 
 --' began to pace to and fro. "I see your position," 
 he said at last. "I see it exactly and I appreciate it, and 
 I want to come in and help you fight, too that is, part 
 of me does; but there is the other side, also, the bigger 
 side, the side that would mean a sacrifice of the present 
 in order that the future may never again hear the hun- 
 ger call." He paused and a whimsical expression came 
 on his grave face. "But I always supposed that there 
 was no end to our money, I always looked on you as 
 one of the most shining successes of the capitalistic 
 system. Why, it would take half the fun out of it, 
 Uncle, to think that instead of your weltering in lucre, 
 you were straining every nerve to keep the old boat 
 afloat. I can't see into it : here I've been reading of your 
 gifts, and I" 
 
 "Burton again," snapped the uncle. "Every time he 
 led, I followed suit and I took the trick. If he gave 
 away a church, I gave a hospital ; if he shaded a price, 
 I cut it to the quick; if he took away my best man, I 
 took the next best, trained him up until he was better 
 than the first, and beat him at his own game. Oh, I've 
 fought him, Dick, I certainly have fought him, but he 
 has the most capital. He don't know it, but he has. 
 
 90
 
 DICK VETOES THE CHOICE 91 
 
 He watered his stock when times were booming, I 
 wanted to keep ours as close as possible, and yet 
 branch out, too. Now, I haven't the nerve to reach 
 out for new capital. A stumble at this point and the 
 whole jig is up." 
 
 "I always supposed there was a merger between you 
 and that all this scrapping was merely a bluff. Why 
 don't you merge?" 
 
 The old man fidgeted nervously in his chair, wiped 
 his forehead with a very large white silk handkerchief, 
 and after a minute asked: "What will you have to 
 drink, Dick?" 
 
 "I think I'll take a Manhattan to make sure that 
 I'm back home again," replied Dick, glancing curiously 
 at his uncle as he turned and touched the bell. Almost 
 as soon as the bell had ceased to vibrate the butler 
 entered, his face wrinkled into an attempt to depict 
 penitence, hope and trepidation. 
 
 Bannington glared at him fiercely until he again 
 looked like a scared rabbit, and then said courteously : 
 "Higgins, two of your universal brothers feel the need 
 of a little stimulant. Will you kindly oblige Mr. Dick 
 with a Manhattan cocktail, and myself with some 
 straight whisky, and" suddenly changing his voice 
 "be damn quick about it, too." 
 
 Higgins hurried away with a sigh of relief. He 
 knew that there were several jerks still in store for 
 him ; but that, to a large extent, his rebellion had been 
 forgiven. Bannington examined his finger-nails in- 
 tently as if to assure himself that they were in no dan- 
 ger of falling out, and finally said: "To tell you the
 
 92 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 truth, Dick, that is just what I hoped that you might 
 bring about." 
 
 "I bring about?" exclaimed Dick'. "Why, Great 
 Scott, Uncle, I have no more idea of how a merger is 
 merged than of how an air-ship is aired. I always 
 supposed that well, to be perfectly frank, I never 
 thought much about how they were actually made. I 
 first condemned trusts in a way to make them shake 
 in their shoes, then I was surprised to discover that 
 they were the grandest achievement in commercialism, 
 and would continue until something still better came 
 along. I know all about them, and their habits and 
 their destiny; but hanged if I have any idea how to 
 make one." 
 
 Higgins entered and the two men raised their glasses 
 and drank in silence. Bannington motioned the butler 
 away and after he had gone, placed his finger on his 
 lips and winked at Dick. Dick was surprised to see his 
 uncle next tiptoe to the door and hear him say in tones 
 of solicitous kindliness: "It is not necessary to wait, 
 Higgins. If I need you, I'll ring the bell" again a 
 quick change of voice "and if I catch you listening 
 again, I'll wring your neck." 
 
 "Confound you, Dick," after he had returned and 
 taken his seat, "two days ago that creature was a. per- 
 fect servant. He had no more humanity about him 
 than an electric bell; now he has begun to think for 
 himself, and I can never trust him again. Dick, I wish 
 you would make up your mind on this merger business. 
 Think it over, anyway." 
 
 "But, Uncle, I have absolutely nothing to focus on.
 
 DICK VETOES THE CHOICE 93 
 
 Have you ever tried to effect a merger? What am I 
 to plan for?" 
 
 "Oh, Dick, you are a sad disappointment to me," 
 said the old man, shaking his head. "I can't tell you 
 my reasons ; but there can never be any relations be- 
 tween Burton and myself. We must fight it out until 
 one or the other goes under. Not even for the plant 
 could I make a friendly proposal to him ; but you you 
 have no personal feelings in the matter, and you could 
 bring it about. He is just as tired of the fight as I am; 
 but also just as proud." 
 
 "That's all right," assented Dick. "I'm not afraid of 
 getting turned down hard, or anything of that kind; 
 and it's part of my philosophy to encourage trusts as 
 much as possible. Just put me wise to the project and 
 I'll make a noise like a corporation senator; but you 
 see, I don't know a blame thing about the business. 
 What kind of a talk could I possibly put up?" 
 
 "I didn't want you to put up any kind of a talk, 
 yourself. I wanted you to be drawn into it; and I 
 meant to oppose it at first and then to give in with every 
 sign of reluctance. I'm weary of war, Dick. I have 
 downtrodden my fellow creatures until my feet are 
 sore; and I intended to retire the minute you caught 
 the swing, and I wanted this merger to be my excuse. 
 I've had the harness on a long time, boy, a long time." 
 
 "Well, of course I may be forced into the harness 
 against my will ; but for the life of me, I can't under- 
 stand what you are talking about. You say you want 
 to be forced into doing what you want to do anyway, 
 and that I am mixed up in it. You'll have to forego the
 
 94 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Greek oracle style and talk to me as though I were a 
 truly child. What is your plan, and what can I do?" 
 
 "Well, Dick, I hoped I hoped that you would fall 
 in love with Miss Burton " 
 
 "Miss Burton !" ejaculated Dick. 
 
 "Yes," responded Bannington, feeling his spirit 
 gather firmness at the opposition in Dick's tone. "I 
 knew that her father would oppose it bitterly on his 
 side, I intended to on mine, and this would naturally 
 make you all the more determined to be married " 
 
 "Married !" exclaimed Dick. "Good Lord, Uncle ; I 
 should rather die than marry her. It's the most pre- 
 posterous thing I ever heard of. You have more ro- 
 mance about you than a school-girl." 
 
 "Romance!" snorted his uncle. "There is no more 
 romance about me than about the multiplication table. 
 I knew it would spoil everything if I had to tell you 
 about it. I have never seen her ; but I've heard that she 
 is beautiful and accomplished. I know that her mother 
 was a beautiful girl. From what I've seen of you, I 
 should have had sense enough to warn you against 
 having anything to do with her that is just what I 
 had my mind all made up to do, but you fooled me 
 into telling you. A man has to be sentimental at your 
 age and it seems horrible to him to think of putting 
 anything that smacks of business or horse sense into 
 his love affairs. She is a lovely girl, no doubt, and " 
 
 "This is utterly out of the question, so you may as 
 well forget it," interposed Dick. "I am willing to slay 
 old man Burton, or do anything else that's reasonable ; 
 but I could never think of marrying that now I'm not
 
 DICK VETOES THE CHOICE 95 
 
 putting my taste against yours ; but really her her par- 
 ticular style of beauty does not appeal to me at all." 
 
 "That is just like you," retorted Bannington, "you 
 are so accustomed to judging things that you know 
 nothing about that you condemn a girl just because I 
 say that it is policy to marry her. Wait until you have 
 seen her." 
 
 "I have seen her," answered Dick. 
 
 "Where?" 
 
 "Right here on our grounds." 
 
 "What ? On our grounds ! What was she doing on 
 cur grounds?" 
 
 "She came to find that is, she was walking there." 
 
 "Walking on my grounds! A Burton walking on 
 my grounds! I'll have a high board fence put up be- 
 tween us ; I'll hire keepers to arrest trespassers ; I'll " 
 
 "This would certainly be a lovely home to bring my 
 bride to, if I did marry Miss Burton," said Dick sar- 
 castically. "I don't see what the deuce you want with 
 that high board fence and those keepers, though she 
 did not harm the grass any." 
 
 "I'll not put up with it. Burton just moved out here 
 to spite me. I'll start that fence to-morrow." 
 
 "Well, I want you to give orders to those keepers," 
 said Dick who knew that his uncle was a man of his 
 word, "not to interfere at all with any girls who come 
 here to walk that is, young ladies, you know with 
 dogs." 
 
 Bannington looked sharply at his nephew. "Did 
 Miss Burton have a dog?" he asked. 
 
 "Good gracious, no. I am in favor of keeping her
 
 96 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 out ; but I mean good-looking girls, you understand 
 that is, my kind of good looks." 
 
 "Have any such been walking on these grounds?" 
 asked Bannington innocently. 
 
 "I think I did see one to-day," answered Dick, flick- 
 ing a speck of dust off his sleeve. 
 
 "My grounds are my own, and they are private," 
 said the other with emphasis. "I gave two parks to this 
 town what does it expect? What kind of girl was 
 this?" 
 
 "Why, she was a a poor girl." 
 
 Bannington sat up with a jerk and glared at his 
 nephew. "A poor girl, huh? You are a true reformer, 
 all right ; you have all the symptoms ! Now. I want you 
 to understand right here that I have a limit. You don't 
 turn my grounds into a private park for poor girls to 
 walk in while you chaperone them. I am old-fashioned, 
 and the first talk I hear about your getting mixed up in 
 this new-fangled affinity nonsense, that very minute I 
 put you in your right place. I hold the power to make a 
 pauper of you. do you understand ?" 
 
 "No," replied Dick calmly, "I don't understand ; but 
 I don't care if you do. Then there will be no earthly 
 reason for me to bother with business, and I can give 
 all my time to the education of the masses." 
 
 "Indeed, you can," retorted his uncle sarcastically, 
 "and I suppose you would begin by hunting up some 
 one to support you as did the three tramps you 
 brought home with you." 
 
 Dick immediately stiffened. "I fancy I should ex- 
 perience little difficulty in earning my own living."
 
 DICK VETOES THE CHOICE 97 
 
 "Oh, certainly ; a young fellow used to ten thousand 
 a year always imagines that he is worth it. You 
 couldn't earn really earn ten dollars a week." 
 
 "And another thing," continued Dick, "I always sup- 
 posed that this house and my income were my own." 
 
 "When you get a little older," replied his uncle 
 dryly, "you'll stop supposing and take a deeper inter- 
 est in getting the facts. I have actual control until you 
 are twenty-five, and if you go too far, I'll ditch the 
 whole thing and make you a pauper. Now, I want to 
 know whether or not you intend to work under my 
 direction." 
 
 "Yes, I'll work under your direction, if you will let 
 me choose the job." 
 
 The old man's face cleared, his nephew had enough 
 sense after all to see when he had lost the game. "Well, 
 what do you want to start in as? Superintendent?" 
 
 "No," answered Dick demurely, "I want to be the 
 keeper who watches the high board fence." 
 
 Bannington rose to his feet, the veins in his forehead 
 swelling with wrath. "You young scoundrel, you !" he 
 roared. "You have neither sense nor decency; but 
 you'll learn. Oh, you'll learn, all right. Just wait until 
 I get through with you and you'll stop flapping your 
 wings and begin to whine like a kicked cur." 
 
 Dick's face turned red. "Look here, Uncle," he said 
 in a low tone, "you can't bluff me. I'm not afraid of 
 poverty, I'm not sentimental about the Bannington 
 plant ; but I do get a lot of enjoyment out of life itself 
 and I don't propose to give that up. If you are the big 
 stem here and I am not welcome unless I shake when
 
 98 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 you have a chill, why, you might as well rub my name 
 off the list at once; but you may as well understand 
 right here at the scratch that while I am always open 
 to conviction, that is the only thing I am open to. I 
 don't propose to give up " 
 
 "Open to conviction?" sneered the old man. "You 
 are too infernally obstinate to be open to anything ex- 
 cept some idiotic nonsense. I don't see where you got 
 all this obstinacy from! But I can tell you right here 
 that it is not going to be popular with me. I have tried 
 to reason patiently with you; but I'm sick of it. Now, 
 I'll give you ten days just ten days more in which to 
 get your eyes open. After that, if you don't marry 
 Miss Burton against my will " 
 
 "You might as well call the deal off at once. I'll 
 never marry her never. Me obstinate ? Why an army 
 mule is a vacillating weather-cock beside you! You 
 pick out one single, diabolical plan, and because I am 
 too human to yield to it, you fly off at a tangent. I have 
 offered to do everything that is possible to a man of 
 feeling; but I tell you once for all, I shall not marry 
 Miss Burton." 
 
 "I have given you ten days," said his uncle stiffly. 
 "For that period you may conduct yourself just as you 
 please; but if after that time you are still too obstinate 
 to agree to my wishes, I shall consider you a renegade, 
 and a traitor to your class, to me, and to the memory 
 of your father. He founded the Bannington Steel 
 Plant; it stands as his monument, and if you desert it, 
 you dishonor his memory. This settles it as far as I 
 am concerned."
 
 DICK VETOES THE CHOICE 99 
 
 As the old man spoke his temper left him and when 
 he finished, his voice was trembling with real feeling. 
 Dick was hurt and his voice rang with protest as he 
 answered : "You have no right to make such a state- 
 ment. It is the work of a bully; but I am not coward 
 enough to be your tool. You have browbeaten men 
 so often that you have lost your power to reason you 
 simply batter down ; but you can not batter me down. 
 I shall devote myself to a broader cause than you can 
 conceive and if you tear down the monument which my 
 father raised to himself, I shall raise him a better one, 
 and one which will not be torn down as long as man 
 remembers." 
 
 "And that will be about fifteen minutes," retorted 
 Bannington. "Well, at least we understand each other." 
 
 "Yes, we understand each other." 
 
 "Now, don't be a welcher," said the old man grimly. 
 "I have given you fair warning. You know me I am 
 not accustomed to half-way measures; and I am pre- 
 pared to " 
 
 "Dinner is served, sir," intruded the contrite voice 
 of Higgins, the butler. 
 
 "Well, what are you prepared to do?" demanded 
 Dick, ignoring the interruption. 
 
 "I am prepared to eat my dinner," said Bannington, 
 stalking off to the dining-room. 
 
 "Higgins, tell my friends that dinner is served, and 
 conduct them to it. They are in the billiard-room. 
 And, Higgins, don't be bluffed so easily. You are a 
 man. Study those pamphlets and make sure of them, 
 and then insist upon getting your rights."
 
 ioo THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Yes, sir," answered Higgins anxiously as he started 
 on his errand. 
 
 "But, Higgins," called Dick, "don't be too overbear- 
 ing with it at first especially with my uncle. He is a 
 man of strong convictions, and they are not sympa- 
 thetic." 
 
 The butler opened his mouth as if to reply, changed 
 his mind, and bowed after the manner of one whose 
 emotions are far beyond his powers of expression. 
 
 It was now Dick's turn to survey himself in the pier- 
 glass. At first his face was heavily lined and serious ; 
 but after a moment an old-time grin came on it. "It 
 looks to me as though another air-ship had come to 
 earth," he said in a droll voice, much like that of his 
 uncle. "This has been a ripping old home-coming and 
 that's no joke. When did I arrive? Great Scott, not 
 this morning ! Well, at least there seems to be little risk 
 of ennui. I shall not marry Miss Burton; but if pos- 
 sible I shall marry into the family. Poor old uncle 
 he's as narrow-minded as an epigram. But he is up 
 against the real thing this trip, and I shall But the 
 first thing to do is to go in to dinner. I certainly do 
 feel the need of a little nourishment." 
 
 He put his hands into his pockets boyishly as he 
 started for the door, and, in spite of his revolutionary 
 ambitions, his tanned face with its frank, open expres- 
 sion, now that the reaction had come and gone with 
 the usual speed of young emotions, would have proved 
 effective in gaining most of the favors which the fool- 
 ish, sentimental old world has to grant.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD 
 
 WHEN Dick arrived at the dinner table, he found 
 his guests already seated in the midst of a si- 
 lence which was far from soothing. His uncle sat at 
 the head of the table looking like the reincarnation of 
 a thunder cloud, the count was toying with a spoon on 
 which his gaze was concentrated. His eyebrows were 
 raised, and his smile seemed a personal taunt to Dick. 
 
 Dick took his seat rather noisily and said heartily: 
 "There is nothing so conducive to good digestion as a 
 liberal mixture of conversation with the food. I have 
 often thought that the reason our ancestors were able 
 to abuse their stomachs as carelessly and as constantly 
 as they did, was because they were a cheerful, social 
 lot, and never let their business intrude on their pleas- 
 ures, one of the most important of which was eating." 
 
 The butler placed the soup and the other diners gave 
 it their entire attention. 
 
 "It would be helpful to know," continued Dick cour- 
 ageously, "whether or not man enjoys life as much as 
 some of the other animals. Our appetites were given 
 to us as guides, but we have overcome them and made 
 slaves of them for the most part. Of course in some 
 cases they are too powerful to surrender and very often 
 their rebellion is successful and we become slaves of 
 
 101
 
 102 THE STEERING WHEEL' 
 
 them. Any system which attempts to run with master 
 and slave is doomed even the human system. All our 
 suffering, our failures, and our vices are due to a re- 
 fusal to live democratically with our appetites and de- 
 sires. We no longer feel actual hunger, but a cultivated 
 desire for some artificial blending of unnatural flavors. 
 It is the same with the rest of our appetites." 
 
 The butler took the empty soup plates away. 
 
 "To be sure, the brutes do not really converse at their 
 meals," resumed Dick, as though he were holding his 
 listeners spellbound, "but at the same time they make 
 noises to indicate that the exercise is a pleasant one. It 
 is extremely agreeable to hear a stable of cows or 
 horses eating their evening meal. Especially is this true 
 of a military stable after the horses have been vigor- 
 ously exercised, rubbed down, freshly bedded, and 
 newly fed the cheerful crunching, the soft sighs of 
 contentment, the rustling of the hay just for the fun of 
 hearing it rustle. And then take a kennel of dogs, the 
 growling and grunting is not of ill humor, but is merely 
 their distinctive method of expressing approval." 
 
 The butler brought in and distributed the fish. He 
 walked without making the slightest sound. 
 
 "The cat wishes to display the mouse before she de- 
 vours it, or if she is spreading a feast for her kittens 
 she makes a peculiar throaty gurgle to instil into their 
 young minds the virtue of encouraging the appetites ; 
 but man is never content to make a pact with nature. 
 Appetites are originally natural, therefore they must be 
 remodeled. The imperious in man's character causes 
 him untold pain. It would be much easier to cooperate
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD 103 
 
 with nature than completely to overcome her ; but man 
 is unable to see it. He is not content to rule the earth 
 as a species, nor even as a race ; he must rule it as an 
 individual. He tries to cut himself loose from his fel- 
 lows, he tries to cut himself loose from nature itself, 
 and struggle up, up, up to where he will have dominion 
 over all other forces and the hatred of every creature 
 possessing the rudiments of a mind. I delight in social 
 intercourse" Dick's voice was becoming more em- 
 phatic as he gradually lost patience "but if fate or- 
 dains that I eat in the midst of four mummies and a 
 mechanical toy, I can stand it just as long as they can, 
 longer, for at least I shall have something pleasant to 
 think about." 
 
 The butler noiselessly removed the fish plates, and 
 the meal continued in moody silence. 
 
 At last the coffee was brought and Bannington 
 cleared his throat twice and asked abruptly : "What are 
 you going to do to celebrate the Fourth of July? To- 
 morrow is the Fourth." 
 
 Dick stirred his coffee without noticing the remark 
 and his uncle's face began to burn. "Are you my 
 nephew, or not?" he demanded. 
 
 "That is a matter which I have never investigated," 
 gently replied Dick who found the opportunity irre- 
 sistible, "but for the sake of argument, I am willing to 
 concede it." 
 
 "I asked you a question, and I expect an answer 
 what are you going to do to celebrate the Fourth ?" 
 
 "I think I shall stroll in the park and exercise Mulli- 
 gan," answered Dick.
 
 104 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "A typical sample of your patriotism!" retorted 
 Bannington. "Here you rush about shouting for free- 
 dom and independence, and yet you celebrate our na- 
 tional Independence Day by associating with a bulldog 
 which I must admit seems the society you are best 
 adapted to." 
 
 "To which you are best adapted," corrected Dick im- 
 personally while his uncle's teeth gritted together. "Did 
 you ever stop to consider," continued Dick as though 
 to an inquiring child, "that the Fourth of July is not a 
 truly national day of independence? This entire na- 
 tion did not attempt to gain independence in the Amer- 
 ican Revolution, it was only the capitalistic class which 
 attempted, and gained, independence. The workers 
 continued to be exploited just the same and to just the 
 same extent." 
 
 "Oh, rot!" 
 
 "It is not rot, it is the simple truth," rejoined Dick; 
 but before he could continue, Emil began to squirm in 
 his seat, to rumble in his throat, and finally, raising his 
 inevitable forefinger, he said solemnly : 
 
 "Of a truth the American Revolution most other 
 wars resembles." Lorrain gave a despairing sigh which 
 was half a groan, and Emil turned to him and said, "I 
 will not upon figures touch, I will simply the short 
 outline of a few wars sketch." 
 
 "What do we want with the short outline of a few 
 wars?" asked Bannington testily. 
 
 "So that we can the better understand why was the 
 American Revolution," answered Emil respectfully 
 and seriously. As there was no active pretest, Emil
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD 105 
 
 straightened in his chair and asked with accusing 
 abruptness : "What happened in India ?" Nothing 
 could have been less in the minds of his listeners, and 
 the only response was a shifting in the chairs. "I will 
 tell you : just what has always happened when robbery 
 was planned on a large scale. The East India Company 
 wss at first nothing but a gang of licensed pirates ; but 
 they saw that in order the surplus products of labor 
 to seize, first must they grab the government. You see ? 
 Always the government must be owned by the big rob- 
 bers, always has it been; now, still is it. When Lord 
 Clive was tried for stealing a few tons of rupees for 
 himself, what cleared him? The fact that he a patriot 
 was, and that he had not stolen all there was to steal. 
 
 "Again, what about the Boer War? Were the Boers 
 simple-hearted patriots, and the British tyrannical con- 
 querors ? Not so ; they fought to see which set of capi- 
 talists should exploit the men who work in the gold 
 mines of the Rand and in the diamond fields of Kim- 
 berly. The man behind the gun, he is also behind the 
 times, many, many years. He knows how to aim, but 
 not why. 
 
 "Again, take one little look at your war with Spain. 
 Was it because Spain was cruel ? Oh, that is to laugh ! 
 Russia can thousands persecute, but you talk not war 
 with Russia. One day it will be known that because 
 Cuba sugar raised, the great United States went to 
 war for her. Now the people did not know, the people 
 are patriots and dupes. They know not even how it 
 is that the opinions which they call their own are in- 
 jected into them with shrewd and secret skill. The poor
 
 106 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 boys who were killed by Spanish bullets and American 
 meat supposed they were dying for their flag. This is 
 why it is not all funny to climb up high and look down 
 at a war. 
 
 "Because freemen work cheaper than chattel slaves, 
 and because the men in the North saw a chance to make 
 money in the South, was why what is the Civil War 
 called, was fought ; but we shall now turn to the Amer- 
 ican Revolution. Everybody knows that the fathers of 
 the Revolution were smugglers and land-thieves, and 
 that they were held back from grabbing more by the 
 capitalists of England who owned the government. All 
 commerce had to be on ships built in England carried, 
 they could not anything manufacture which could in 
 England be manufactured, all their best products must 
 to England be sold, in Maine all trees over two feet in 
 diameter must for the royal navy be saved, everywhere 
 no sooner was a chance found to get a profit from the 
 toilers, than it was grabbed away to England. Of 
 course, this no difference made to the toilers who were 
 getting just a living, could get no less and would get 
 no more ; but how easy to fool them it was. 
 
 "Patriotism, bloodshed, war! Always men who are 
 , weary of toiling like slaves will go out and fight like 
 savages. All they get is the fight, not the spoils, and so 
 they fight the harder. They all felt angry about the 
 stamp acts what to do with stamps had working-men ? 
 They had no contracts, they had no documents; but 
 they got more angry than any one else. Also about the 
 tea. Tea was a luxury, working-men did not have it 
 much, the men who the declaration signed made money
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD 107 
 
 smuggling in the tea. They wished the tax to be as high 
 as possible. The East India Company had millions of 
 pounds of tea they could not sell; they had ships of it 
 in Boston Harbor, they had the tax removed. What 
 then ? Then they could their tea for a lower price than 
 the smugglers sell. Patriotism, where is patriotism? 
 The smugglers aroused the people to become Indians 
 and the tea was dumped overboard. 
 
 "And yet," said Emil softly, for him, "there are 
 patriots, there are men who rise above economic in- 
 fluence. We do not often in history read of them until 
 many years after they have passed on; but they are like 
 gods, they are above the criticism, the jealousy, and the 
 hatred of their fellows. Such a one was Tom Paine. 
 Of his small fortune, he gave all, of his great head, he 
 gave all, of his tender heart, he gave all, and yet if 
 they could erase his name from the roll of honor they 
 would at once do it. I shall now tell to you what he 
 did for one thing: he wrote a pamphlet called Common 
 Sense. I shall now about Common Sense explain." 
 
 "Common sense!" ejaculated Bannington, who had 
 reached his limit of patience. "There isn't enough 
 common sense in the four of you to do one child a 
 day !" And he stamped out of the room and into his 
 office. 
 
 Emil looked after him wonderingly. "Tom Paine 
 was a great man," he said thoughtfully. "He said, 
 'Where liberty is not, there is my country,' and he 
 meant it. Did he not to France go and did he. not prove 
 that she was his country by fighting for her? Tom 
 Paine I admire, but scarcely can I understand him. He
 
 io8 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 was above economic determinism; there is, then, no 
 motives left to explain the actions of such a man." 
 
 "I believe that Mr. Bannington is right," said Lor- 
 rain disdainfully. "Common sense is getting to be a 
 scarce article with us. He is the head of this house and 
 has a right to consideration. First, Dick comes and 
 speaks a monologue about eating, which would take 
 away the appetite of a pig, and then Emil preaches 
 about war until he becomes the just excuse for one." 
 
 "My uncle is a kind-hearted man, but very irascible," 
 explained Dick, half in defense and half in condemna- 
 tion, "but you must not feel that you are any the less 
 welcome. This is your home as long as you wish to 
 stay and the very fact that he does just as he pleases, 
 is meant that he also extends to you the right to do 
 just as you please." 
 
 "Never will he become a socialist," said Ivan sagely- 
 
 "No," assented Dick, "he has belonged to the master 
 class for so many years that he can no longer sympa- 
 thize with the men whose actual toil produces all the 
 wealth." 
 
 At this juncture, the self-respecting tread of Mr. 
 Bannington was heard approaching. "I want to ask 
 you," he said, looking at Dick, "if your own forebears 
 were aristocrats or laboring men? Was your grand- 
 father born with a silver spoon in his mouth, or did he 
 go into the West as a pioneer and hew a farm out of 
 the rugged forest? Did your father sit around and 
 wail because there was no longer any opportunity for 
 a young man, or did he come back into the East and 
 establish the Bannington Steel Plant ? You, you are the
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD 109 
 
 only one of the line for generations who has not been 
 forced to begin working before he had his growth ; and 
 yet you are the only one who has thrown up his hands 
 in despair because there was no more opportunity for a 
 young man." 
 
 "That is because I am the only one who has had the 
 leisure to learn how to think," replied Dick calmly. 
 "You can work a colt so hard that he will be too stupid 
 to kick; but " 
 
 Bannington whirled about, clenched his fist, struck a 
 short-arm jab at the empty air and stamped back to his 
 office. 
 
 "You don't treat your uncle properly," said Lorrain. 
 "He is an old man and you have no right to fret him 
 so." 
 
 "You try being kind to him a while," answered Dick 
 dryly. "You give him your arm and assist him up the 
 steps and then see where you land." 
 
 "I tell you," said Emil decisively, "that there is a 
 man who thinks. He flies away in a rage and you say, 
 he did not hear, he did not understand ; but all the while 
 he is turning things over in his mind. I tell you he is 
 a man who thinks." 
 
 "Do you think he will ever become a socialist?" 
 asked Ivan. 
 
 "Xo, nor do I ever expect to see a lion turn into a 
 dove," answered Lorrain, "but I do like to see an el- 
 derly man get some of the respect which is due him." 
 
 "I treated him not without respect," said Emil. "Did 
 I act as if his age prevented him from forming true 
 conclusions? I did not. I placed before him a few
 
 no THE STEERING WHEEU 
 
 facts, and if he had but been of a patience to await my 
 finish, I should have listened attentively to his reply." 
 
 "As well ask a man to await the finish of the gla- 
 ciers," scoffed Lorrain. 
 
 "It must be confessed that my uncle holds narrow 
 views on many subjects; but he has labored hard all 
 his life and this explains why his character is not 
 rounded out," said Dick. 
 
 Emil and Lorrain continued to discuss Mr. Banning- 
 ton's shortcomings; but Dick fell into a reverie which 
 had started during the fish course, and which Emil's 
 war cloud had interrupted. He very much wished to 
 know more about the location of his uncle's park, rela- 
 tive to the property of his immediate neighbors. "I 
 think I shall take Mulligan for a stroll," he said after a 
 few minutes' silence. "You may do whatever you wish 
 and I shall be back shortly." 
 
 "Did any one ever before see such an establish- 
 ment?" asked Lorrain derisively, as soon as Dick had 
 closed the side door after him. "The servants are ill- 
 trained and impertinent, the master and his nephew 
 quarrel incessantly, and the nephew, who is supposed 
 to be our host, leaves us to our own devices most of the 
 time." 
 
 "I feel at home," answered Emil, helping himself 
 to some more cheese. "It is not surprising that a youth 
 fresh home after two years' absence would wish a few 
 moments to himself, now and again to have." 
 
 "I suppose," said Lorrain pushing back his chair, 
 "that any one accustomed to a lunch counter would be 
 carried away by the grandeur of a country inn, but I
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD in 
 
 must say that I have never been entertained at such 
 a hodgepodge of a house as this. Now, I am going 
 up to my room to write a few letters, but later if you 
 wish a game of billiards, I am at your disposal." 
 
 As soon as he had left Ivan glanced at Emil who 
 had drawn another cup of coffee from the urn which 
 still remained with the alcohol lamp burning beneath 
 it, and said : "He can not get over the proud feeling 
 of having been a count." 
 
 "Who, him?" asked Emil, thrusting a thumb in the 
 direction which Lorrain had gone. "Well, many counts 
 have I not known, but between you and me, Ivan, I 
 don't think he ever was a count." 
 
 Ivan's earnest eyes opened wider. "Why should any 
 man not forced to, admit that he belongs to the op- 
 pressing class?" 
 
 "Ho!" laughed Emil explosively. "Ivan, it sur- 
 prises me that one man can know as little and as much 
 as you do. You know about the causes of war, you 
 know Machiavelli by heart and therefore can under- 
 stand the underlying motives of what we call the 
 heroes of history, but it wouldn't surprise me to see 
 you sacrifice yourself to satisfy the whim of a friend. 
 You have no country now, or you might even take a 
 gun and go forth for a flag to fight. You are still 
 nothing but a child. Don't you know that many 
 people would rather give rich food to a count for noth- 
 ing than to give bread in return for honest service? 
 You have done all kinds of work ; you have dug ditches 
 and you have the sons of rich men for college fitted 
 when you lived in London. I also have worked with
 
 112 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 my hands and with my head all over the world. But 
 did you ever hear Lorrain brag of working? He would 
 like to be called a hero for giving up his title, but still 
 get all that his title ever brought him. His family 
 tree is a rotten one; I looked it up it wasn't there." 
 
 Ivan looked solemn at this account of the peculiar 
 trickery of Lorrain's family tree, but he shook his 
 head. "No, I can not believe that he was never a 
 count. He acts like one." 
 
 "Acts like one?" scoffed Emil. "You still have 
 something of the peasant clinging to you, after all. 
 Acts like one! One would think that being a count 
 was as hard to hide as being a zebra. I was waited 
 on once by a real count and for all I know I have been 
 shaved by one." 
 
 "It must have been long ago," said Ivan, looking at 
 his friend's tangled beard. "Is it not strange that Dick 
 sets so much affection on a dog?" 
 
 Emil looked at Ivan and winked a long, knowing 
 and thoroughly profound wink. "Nietzsche says, 
 Ivan : 'Oversweet fruits the warrior liketh not. There- 
 fore he liketh woman. Bitter is even the sweetest 
 woman.' Dick has in him much of the warrior but 
 I do not deny that he is fond of that bulldog." 
 
 Ivan sat in deep study. "All women are not bitter," 
 he said softly. 
 
 "Not to all men at the same time," chuckled Emil. 
 
 "I was thinking of my mother," said Ivan. 
 
 "Think, then, also of your father,"' returned Emil. 
 "He knew more on some subjects than you." 
 
 Ivan merely sighed. He found it necessary to sigh
 
 A ROUGH BIT OF ROAD 113 
 
 frequently in order to brush away the minor irrita- 
 tions which were a by-product of his friendship for 
 Emil. That a nature could be battered and abused as 
 Ivan's had been and still retain its sweetness, its ideals, 
 and to a large extent, its reverence, was a condition 
 which Emil was unable to grasp. He had undergone 
 much the same process, but the result had been entirely 
 different. Now, he very rarely felt things; he merely 
 thought them. He looked on individuals of his own 
 species much as he looked on ants. It amused him to 
 study their bustling ways, but their emotions were en- 
 tirely apart from him. 
 
 "Woman's .development has been so hampered by 
 man that no matter what she has done and I admit 
 that some women have, through bitterness and vanity, 
 caused much evil yet, no matter what she has done, 
 I could never hate her," said Ivan. 
 
 "It is just and wise to hate those who have injured 
 you, Ivan," said Emil virtuously. 
 
 "It belongs to human nature to hate those you have 
 injured," responded Ivan quietly. 
 
 "Tacitus invented many aphorisms you could do 
 entirely without," rejoined Emil, kindly letting Ivan 
 know who was more fittingly responsible for the senti- 
 ment he had just expressed. "It weakens a man to love 
 the wicked." 
 
 "No man ever became wicked all at once," answered 
 Ivan. 
 
 "Juvenal did not have sufficient data when he wrote 
 that," responded Emil. "A wicked man was born a 
 wicked man. When he first contemplates evil, when
 
 ii 4 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 he first considers it, when he first embraces it, are 
 merely descending opportunities, or steps, on the same 
 stair." 
 
 "That is nonsense," said Ivan emphatically. "You 
 so love to break down a maxim that you care not if 
 the truth also goes down with it. And also you think 
 it is wonderfully smart to give the name of an au- 
 thority who has also uttered the same sentiment that 
 another speaks. For me, I am always willing to con- 
 cede the truth gladly, when it is the truth." 
 
 "The concessions of the weak are the concessions of 
 fear," replied Emil placidly. 
 
 "Edmund Burke, Edmund Burke, Edmund Burke!" 
 cried Ivan finally, losing patience, rising to his feet 
 and hurling the name into Emil's very face. Then 
 he turned and strode out of the room and up to his bed- 
 chamber. 
 
 "A little thing seems great to a little man," said 
 Emil thoughtfully, as he drew another cup of coffee, 
 helped himself to a bit of cheese, and settled himself 
 more comfortably in his comfortable chair. After 
 eating his bit of cheese he lighted a large cigar and sat 
 dreamily smoking and sipping the black coffee. Emil 
 knew all the laws of diet, but he never considered their 
 personal application. His nerves were of copper, and 
 as he sat at ease there was not a wrinkle on his face. 
 It was hard and smooth and kindly, like the bronze 
 statue of a gentle god. "I will see if I can again find 
 the book on the relation of commerce to conquest," he 
 said at last, rising and walking into the library.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 
 
 HT^HE next morning Dick's guests were again left to 
 *- amuse themselves as best they could while he took 
 Mulligan for a walk in the park. On the night before 
 he had discovered that the Burton place, on the right of 
 Bannington Park, as one entered its front gate, ex- 
 tended back as far as did that of his uncle's, but con- 
 tained only ten acres. The Staunton place was on the 
 left and seemed to be a little larger than the park. At 
 least half of it was given up to pasture and garden, 
 while the Burton place was still covered with old 
 indigenous trees in the rear, but displayed rather 
 artistic landscaping at the front. 
 
 Mulligan had slept soundly after his night's prowl- 
 ing, and was fresh and eager for any kind of adven- 
 ture. Dick began at the hedge where it touched on 
 the road and followed it carefully along the Burton 
 boundary. Mulligan was not sure whether cats or 
 rabbits were the game, but he industriously thrust him- 
 self into every break, and Dick gave them a still more 
 critical examination. He found four which had evi- 
 dently been used as passages, but he failed to chance 
 on the girl with the collie. At the farthest opening 
 Mulligan growled savagely, and Dick decided that this
 
 ii6 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 one had recently been used, at least by the foreign 
 dog. 
 
 An indistinct path led into the tangle of the park, 
 and his thorough investigation of this consumed the 
 rest of the morning. When he reached the house he 
 found that Lorrain had gone to New York and that 
 Emil and Ivan had decided to make the same trip 
 after luncheon. 
 
 "That's a good idea," said Dick heartily. 
 
 "You will come also?" asked Ivan. 
 
 "No, not this afternoon. You see " 
 
 "The dog," suggested Emil, "he will more exercise 
 require." 
 
 "Yes," answered Dick, "he is a lot better already, 
 and if I just keep him at it for a few days he will begin 
 to shape up again." 
 
 "I would give him to a farmer," said Ivan. "On 
 a farm he would not get too much rich food, and he 
 would have plenty. of exercise. On a farm a dog 
 is treated like a dog, not like a prince, and it would do 
 him good." 
 
 "You already know some of the socialists of New 
 York," said Dick, seeing no hope of making his atti- 
 tude toward Mulligan appear rational to Ivan, or sin- 
 cere to Emil, "and they will make you known to the 
 other leaders. You must come and go and do just 
 as you like until I get through with a few private mat- 
 ters, and then we shall open our campaign in earnest." 
 
 "Even so," assented Emil enigmatically. 
 
 As soon as they were gone Dick once more took 
 Mulligan, who sniffed wistfully as the kitchen odors
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 117 
 
 floated out to him, but who was thoroughly game and 
 optimistically hopeful that the elusive prey which had 
 baffled them during the forenoon would now fall to 
 their prowess. This time Dick examined the hedge be- 
 tween the park and the Staunton place, finding three 
 openings, but none which aroused personal resent- 
 ment on the part of his ally. 
 
 On reaching the house he found a message from his 
 uncle saying that he would not return to dinner. The 
 message was a statement in its simplest form and yet 
 Dick felt that in some subtle way it also conveyed a 
 reproach. Dick's sensitive nature responded to every 
 shifting shade; he was disappointed at not having met 
 the girl with the collie, he was depressed by the ab- 
 sence of his uncle, and he ate a cheerless meal. 
 
 He tried to draw Higgins into conversation, but 
 found the butler too discreet to serve even as the basis 
 for conversational recoil. Higgins was one of those 
 careful souls, too cautious even to possess tact. He 
 was utterly devoid of rigidity and resiliency; a remark 
 did not rebound from him, it did not pierce him, it 
 merely struck his outer covering of chronic anxiety as 
 a ball would strike a feather tick, to fall after a moment 
 with a disheartening plop. 
 
 It requires something more than contrast to produce 
 perfect compatibility, and Dick was so incensed with 
 the butler that he would not even ask for what he 
 wanted, but contented himself with rapping on the 
 table for attention and pointing with his finger, as he 
 was in the habit of doing with Mulligan. Dick was 
 social to the extent of preferring a quarrel to solitude,
 
 ii8 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 but he found the present situation unbearable and after 
 bolting his dinner, he hurried forth to feed the im- 
 patient bulldog. 
 
 He held the plate aloft and Mulligan sat gazing up 
 at it adoringly while the saliva dripped from his 
 mouth. "That's the stuff, old sport," cried Dick en- 
 couragingly. "You've burned up enough fat to-day 
 to get a regular hunger, and it stimulates your entire 
 being. I truly admire your positive character, Mulli- 
 gan," continued Dick as he set the plate on the ground 
 and noted the zest with which his pet proceeded to 
 devour the contents, "and it would be a great thing 
 for the human race if you and that fool butler could 
 exchange souls." 
 
 Dick had eaten without dressing and the long sum- 
 mer twilight had scarcely begun to fall. He was rest- 
 less; he paced up and down with his hands in his 
 pockets and a frown on his face. 
 
 "You go up to my room and go to sleep, Mulligan," 
 he said after that individual had finished licking the 
 plate. "Exercise after a meal like that would make 
 your heart pound like a broken piston and I'm going 
 to take a ride." 
 
 Mulligan's walk was slow and stately, his expression 
 ,was reproachful, but he obeyed the order, and as Dick 
 closed the door after him, his own face was lighted 
 with a returning interest. 
 
 "How's Roland, Mike?" he asked the stableman, 
 who had knocked the ashes from his pipe and risen to 
 attention at his approach. 
 
 "Smooth an' oily, sir," answered the man briskly.
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 119 
 
 "Throw the saddle on him and fetch him out," said 
 Dick. 
 
 After a few moments Mike led out a clean-built 
 thoroughbred, and Dick picked up his feet and ex- 
 amined them critically. Afterward he backed off and 
 looked the horse over carefully, his face finally show- 
 ing approval. "Begins to resemble a horse again, 
 Mike," admitted Dick, and Mike's face beamed. 
 
 Dick mounted and started off at as near a walk as 
 he could induce Roland to follow, while the stableman 
 stood gazing after them, nodding his head wisely. 
 
 "As for me," said Mike, filling his pipe mechanically, 
 "give me one o' these proud young bloods what knows 
 what they want. A man ain't nothin' but a machine 
 to 'em, but at least they know whin the machine runs 
 roight an' thot's more thin some min know." 
 
 Dick trotted out of the park, turned to the right, and 
 as soon as Roland had warmed a little he let him slip 
 into a canter. "Better than eating your head off, eh, 
 old chap?" he asked, patting the horse on the neck. 
 
 He continued up the smooth road, which was more 
 like a street, until an ordinary country road forked 
 into it. He turned down this, and by this time all his 
 moodiness had been blown away and he took off his hat 
 and slapping Roland with it, exclaimed: "Chase it, 
 old boy, chase it!" 
 
 The footing was soft and tough, the horse was full 
 of ginger, and in a second they were flying along the 
 road vyith Dick's face beaming like that of a cherub 
 triumphant. This was something like being back 
 home again. For a few minutes he felt that he could
 
 120 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 let the cares of the universe slip from him and drink 
 once more from the bubbling spring of boyhood. 
 
 Suddenly Roland shied to the left and Dick in- 
 stantly drew him down. As he dashed by the object 
 which had caused the horse to shy, he saw it was a 
 collie dog playing with a girl, and hidden from view 
 by a clump of bushes until he was fully upon them. 
 As soon as the horse was under control Dick returned 
 and sat looking frankly down into the eyes of the girl. 
 There was a glint of amusement in hers as she raised 
 them to him. For many generations the eyes of 
 women found pleasure in being raised to those of 
 a man on horseback. They have not entirely outgrown 
 it. 
 
 "Where in the world have you been lately?" asked 
 Dick reprovingly. 
 
 Dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth. "I 
 have been attending to my household duties," she 
 answered demurely. 
 
 "Fudge!" responded Dick. "Don't you know that 
 it will ruin a collie dog not to give him plenty of exer- 
 cise?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied the girl. "That is what I am 
 doing now." 
 
 "Why didn't you take him for a walk in the park 
 again to-day?" asked Dick. 
 
 "How do you know I didn't?" She didn't mean to 
 ask the question. 
 
 "Because I hunted the blooming park from one 
 end to the other," answered Dick honestly, and then 
 they both laughed.
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 121 
 
 "I don't think I shall walk there any more/' said 
 the girl. 
 
 "I don't think I shall, either," returned Dick. 
 
 "Why won't you?" asked the girl. 
 
 "You'll have to furnish the reason for both," re- 
 sponded Dick. "I don't know what it is." 
 
 "That is really a worthy horse," she said blandly. 
 "Your choice of associates is showing a marked im- 
 provement." 
 
 "Since having met you," suggested Dick. 
 
 The smile left the girl's face. "We haven't met yet, 
 you know," she cautioned. 
 
 "If it were not such a temptation to fly, I don't 
 suppose you would keep your wings clipped so close," 
 retorted Dick. "If some detestable old bore whom 
 you can't abide, and whose judgment on the whole- 
 someness of a collie's drinking-water you would utterly 
 disdain, were to tow me up to you at some crowded re- 
 ception which was resting on your soul like a cloud 
 of sulphur smoke, and mumble my name so that you 
 could not catch a single syllable, I suppose you would 
 admit that we had met, but because you are enjoying 
 the outdoors with an intelligent companion, and I 
 come along also enjoying the outdoors with an intelli- , 
 gent and thoroughly reliable companion, and because 
 these two intelligent companions hold firm convictions 
 upon certain topics and proceed to discuss them so 
 vehemently that we, ourselves, are drawn into the 
 whirlpool against our intentions, if not even against 
 our wills, and after the dogs have suspended their 
 argument temporarily, and we have discovered througli
 
 122 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the hearing and asking of questions that we are as con- 
 genial as a bottle and a glass, why you have " 
 
 "Of course it is silly," interrupted the girl, who 
 had been shaking her head negatively during this long 
 preamble, without, however, being able to remove 
 the furtive smile of amusement, "but it is customary, 
 and I am sure that if it is best for us to become ac- 
 quainted, we shall be properly introduced in due time, 
 and it will be just ever so much more comfortable." 
 
 Dick looked down thoughtfully. "I suppose that 
 women will continue to ignore facts and jump at 
 hasty conclusions until the end of time," he said ab- 
 stractedly. 
 
 "I did not do it this time, at least," said the girl 
 promptly. "I have studied over it all day." 
 
 Dick slapped his thigh and laughed, and her face 
 grew red. He was impertinent and provoking, and she 
 would brook no more of him. Holding her head erect, 
 she turned to walk away. 
 
 "But listen a moment," he said contritely. "You can 
 no more help being feminine than I can overcome my 
 masculine tendencies. Your intuition would tell you 
 that I was scouring the park all day in the hope of see- 
 ing you, and therefore it was perfectly fitting that you 
 should consider a course of action suitable to our 
 next meeting. Now, I have also had a few thoughts 
 on the subject, and as long as we have met, quite by 
 accident, let's argue the case in a cold and entirely im- 
 personal manner." 
 
 The horse had finally ceased pawing and swinging, 
 the collie had lain down with his nose on his paws,
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 123 
 
 the shadows had grown much deeper, the chirpers, 
 the buzzers, and the twitterers had stopped listening 
 and had begun the noisy discussion of their own 
 affairs: all the nature people saw that it was settled 
 that the boy and the girl were going to have their talk, 
 but there was an anxious note in the boy's voice, and 
 the expression on the girl's face indicated a determina- 
 tion to rush home the very next moment. 
 
 "My aunt is very particular as to the proprieties," 
 said the girl. 
 
 "She's just the kind of a one who would be," said 
 Dick resentfully, and then hastily added, "I mean 
 that this is entirely right as a general rule, and I 
 heartily approve of it. What I am going to suggest 
 is the most proper course possible. Listen, the safest 
 acquaintances are those which begin in childhood by 
 the little boy peeking through the back fence at the 
 little girl. We can't turn the clock back quite that far, 
 so let's do the next best thing, let's just be regular 
 children until we get thoroughly acquainted. It 
 would be utterly stupid to cast back what the gods 
 have given us, and have some commonplace third per- 
 son introduce us." 
 
 "It would be fun," admitted the girl, "but I fear 
 we should be disappointed. Such things make lovely 
 stories for one to tell one's self while one is going to 
 sleep, but in real life " 
 
 "Do you do that, too?" asked Dick in surprise. 
 "Guns, I've fought against that with prayer and fast- 
 ing. I supposed it was a form of mania and bad for 
 the mind. The only way I discovered to stop it was
 
 124 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 to start a stiff debate on some actual subject, and take 
 both sides." 
 
 "I should rather not have a mind at all, than to use 
 it that way," said the girl wickedly. 
 
 "Ah, now we're getting back to our old cheerful 
 level," said Dick contentedly. "Do you ride horse- 
 back?" 
 
 "I used to." 
 
 "Oh, stop holding yourself back, and play like a nice 
 little girl," reprimanded Dick. "I know a dandy hol- 
 low tree a mile from here which we can use for a 
 post-office." 
 
 "That's nothing," said the girl. "I know of a splen- 
 did big oak at the exact corner where Mr. Banning- 
 ton's place joins Mr. Burton's. There is a hollow, close 
 to the ground, which one would scarcely notice by 
 accident. Ever since I discovered it I have been 
 tempted to hide a note there and see who would find 
 it." 
 
 "I shall look there each morning," vowed Dick. 
 
 "Only once a day ?" asked the girl. 
 
 "Always, I adjust myself to circumstances," he 
 replied. 
 
 "And now I must go home," said the girl. 
 
 "How do you happen to be here on the day we 
 desecrate?" asked Dick. 
 
 "The rest of the family have gone to see some fire- 
 works destroyed, and up to two this afternoon I 
 expected to go to another place to see some other fire- 
 works destroyed, and then it suddenly became clear 
 to me that the fragrance of the woods at twilight was
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 125 
 
 more agreeable than burning saltpeter, so I sent my 
 regrets." 
 
 "Thank you," said Dick, and in spite of her will, 
 and with no reason whatever, the girl was mortified 
 to feel the color rush to her cheeks. It was now quite 
 dark and she hoped that he had not noticed. 
 
 "I must run along home, now," she said. "See how 
 dark it has grown, and you know that little girls are 
 not permitted to be out late." 
 
 "The Fourth of July is always an exception," Dick 
 pointed out convincingly. "Let's talk about whole 
 lots of things, and when you feel that you must go 
 home, I'll go with you." 
 
 "I must really go at once and you must really not 
 go with me." 
 
 A heavily built man with grimy face and wearing 
 rough clothing slouched by. Dick eyed him narrowly ; 
 he measured his height, breadth and reach. He felt 
 that he could master him and was a little sorry that 
 it was not necessary to make the attempt. It did not 
 occur to him that this might be an honest working-man, 
 or even a member of that noble army of the unem- 
 ployed, so dear to him. 
 
 "It would not be safe for you to go home alone at 
 this hour," he said. 
 
 For answer the girl pointed to the collie which had 
 promptly risen and was pressing against her knee, 
 looking sharply at the retreating form of the 
 stranger. 
 
 "May I not even ride after you at a distance?" 
 
 "You must start first, and go in the direction from
 
 126 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 which you came and you must start at once, and not 
 look back." 
 
 Dick bowed low with his hand covering his heart, 
 tightened his reins, and rode away into the darkness. 
 Roland was disgusted at having had the ride which 
 had opened so promisingly, come to such a dull ending, 
 and he retraced his steps soberly. 
 
 The girl stood in the shadow of the clump of bushes 
 watching him. Her eyes were shining and a cheerful 
 stimulation possessed her. After all there were still 
 some flowers of true romance growing outside her 
 day-dreams, and the kindly old earth was not nearly 
 so cold and precise as she pretended to be. "Come, 
 Bayard," she said. "I told you that this was going 
 to be a perfectly splendid Fourth of July, but now we 
 must go home." And in spite of his own ideas on a 
 perfectly splendid Fourth of July, the dog took his 
 position on the right side of his mistress, and they 
 traversed the quiet country road which, all unkno\y- 
 ingly, wound by Camelot and Arden and divers other 
 fair spots not usually found on the maps of New 
 Jersey. 
 
 As for Dick, he rode along humming a medley of 
 love songs, and speaking confidentially to Roland from 
 time to time, utterly unconscious of the latter 's sulky 
 disapproval of the evening's jaunt. Dick was, in 
 reality, holding a religious service, which demands 
 concentration and exclusion. He was offering praise 
 to the giver of good, clean, healthy youth, and, without 
 attempting to put it into words, returning thanks for 
 the starlight and darkness, and appetites and desires,
 
 THE GIRL AT THE WHEEL 127 
 
 and many other things which his formal philosophy 
 classed among the constant and invariable blessings. 
 He had forgotten all unpleasant things, including that 
 extremely unpleasant question, when once it has taken 
 hold of a man the fate of the proletariat.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 A SICK UNCLE AND A SPITE FENCE 
 
 DURING the next few days Bannington Park was 
 the storm center of many emotions. Dick was 
 almost overworked in the attempt to give Mulligan 
 and Roland sufficient exercise, his uncle began to suf- 
 fer from acute twinges of rheumatism, and their even- 
 ing discussions were of the kind which heat without 
 convincing. Ivan chafed at what he considered sin- 
 ful inaction, Emil read, ate and smoked with philo- 
 sophical content, and Lorrain spent most of his time 
 away from the house. 
 
 On the evening of the eighth of July, Dick and his 
 uncle had an unusually personal discussion, and the 
 next morning Dick left before breakfast, saying merely 
 that he would be back on the thirteenth or before it. 
 Ivan hoped that this indicated the opening of their ac- 
 tual campaign, and rejoiced accordingly, but Lorrain 
 smiled derisively, and even Emil merely closed his 
 eyes and blew a huge ring of smoke. Bannington came 
 home early that evening, growling about the rheuma- 
 tism in his foot, and the next morning he started to 
 build the high board fence, just inside the hedge on 
 the boundary between his own place and Burton's. 
 
 The old man could not resist the impulse to browbeat 
 Ivan, but appeared to enjoy Emil's society. The 
 
 128
 
 A SPITE FENCE 129 
 
 stolid German lived in the shadow of a serenity so 
 great that Bannington's fiercest outbursts failed to pen- 
 etrate it. Always Emil would reply candidly and 
 calmly, and his materialism was so solid that at times 
 it aroused the respect which Bannington generally re- 
 served for practical things. Lorrain made two insidious 
 attempts to pacify the old gentleman, but receiving 
 rather curt responses, he withdrew to more agreeable 
 society. To say the least, it was a discordant as- 
 sembly which had gathered at the comfortable old 
 house in beautiful Bannington Park. 
 
 When Mr. Burton saw preparations for building the 
 fence, he immediately served notice that if it were not 
 stopped at once, he would get out an injunction. Rich- 
 ard Bannington read the notice and grinned, but gave 
 orders to have the part of the fence already erected 
 torn down and the post holes filled up. 
 
 This was on the eleventh of July. On the twelfth, 
 an army of men arrived soon after Mr. Burton had 
 left for his New York office, and the fence was fin- 
 ished within two hours. Bannington's foot had become 
 so painful that he had taken to a chair, but when the 
 news was brought he chuckled, slapped his thigh, and, 
 taking one thing with another, he quite successfully 
 displayed a primitive joy in a truly primitive manner. 
 He immediately gave strict orders to the two men 
 whom he had retained as keepers, and settled him- 
 self in his easy chair, hoping that Burton would act as 
 the counter-irritant to his swollen foot. 
 
 As nothing occurred the next morning to take his 
 mind off himself, Bannington decided to have Gladys,
 
 130 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the maid, read to him. Emil had suggested the project, 
 by himself volunteering, but as each paragraph had 
 given rise to a protracted discussion, Bannington had 
 emphatically refused a repetition of the experiment, 
 and was now trying to adjust Gladys to his own ideas 
 of a reader. Gladys had entered on her new task at 
 ten o'clock. It had promised novelty and she had wel- 
 comed it, but soon_ discovered that it was a labor which 
 called for fortitude rather than enthusiasm, and her 
 temper rose as her spirits fell until at three o'clock 
 she had reached the point where even womanly patience 
 ceased to be a virtue. 
 
 "There that will do of that stuff!" shouted Dick's 
 uncle. "I don't want to go crazy." They were seated 
 in his office which was in the west wing. 
 
 The maid looked at him indignantly while her lips 
 worked and her fingers opened and closed vindictively, 
 but she managed to control herself and ask: "Shall 
 I try something else ?" 
 
 "No, for Heaven's sake, no! You've been trying 
 something else for the last century seems like. You 
 started with utter rot and everything you've tried since 
 has been ten times worse than the one before it. Now, 
 I'm done. If I'm going to die in this chair, I'm going 
 to die in peace or at least in quiet." 
 
 "Well, I'm sure I can't help it," retorted Gladys with 
 equal vigor. "I've tried everything. I started out with 
 those pamphlets of Mr. Dick, and I'm sure they're 
 instructive; then I wanted to read the Bible, and I'm 
 sure that would have done you good ; and next I tried 
 three new novels, but "
 
 r A SPITE FENCE 131 
 
 "Novels !" cried Mr. Bannington. "Any account of 
 an unfortunate fool and an idiotic but beautiful female 
 is called a novel. Do I look like a man who would 
 pine for novels?" 
 
 "You made me read to you. You Goodness 
 gracious, I hope you don't imagine that any one would 
 fight for the privilege of reading to you! You have 
 thrown three books into the scrap-basket and one at me, 
 and I have stood all I can stand, and now " 
 
 "Stop it !" cried Bannington, starting up, but sinking 
 back and clasping his foot. "Oh, ooh, ouch ooh! 
 Hang the luck!" 
 
 "That's it, swear," commented the maid, who had 
 reached the point where defiance was no longer a 
 luxury, but an actual necessity. 
 
 "I did not I said 'hang.' " 
 
 "Well, you meant the other, and you've already 
 said it so often that I hardly notice it any more. You're 
 a wicked old man ! We have all done our best for you, 
 but we get nothing in return but threats and vile names. 
 All you can do is to discharge me and before I go, I 
 am going to have my say." 
 
 Bannington attempted to interrupt her, but Gladys 
 had become almost hysterical, and her voice rose to a 
 triumphant shriek. "I tell you I am going to have my 
 say. What do you think you are a Chinese Man- 
 darin? You swell yourself up with pride and think 
 that the entire world is for you, just because you are 
 worth millions and millions of dollars, but I tell you 
 that you add nothing to the joy of life, but only to 
 its sorrow. You never bring a smile, but only a tear;
 
 132 THE STEERING WHEEL 1 
 
 and you add your weight to the already stifling load 
 of suffering humanity. You think " 
 
 Bannington could stand no more : he raised himself 
 on his left elbow and grasped a medicine bottle with his 
 right hand. "I'll have your life," ne roared, "I'll 
 have your life! Confound you, I have sat still while 
 you have blackened my dying hours, but if you say 
 another word about suffering humanity, I'll get up 
 and brain you. Ain't I a part of humanity ? Haven't 
 my own sufferings any rights at all? You inhuman 
 vampire if you don't get out of here at once 
 He assumed a still more threatening attitude and 
 the maid started for the door. "You keep out of 
 here in the future, you understand and send that 
 fool butler in at once." 
 
 The maid slammed the door and her irate master 
 sank back in the chair, where he rested for a moment, 
 panting. "I believe that little excitement has done me 
 good," he said with a grim grin. "I've always main- 
 tained that good health depended on nothing but good 
 circulation, and nothing makes my blood circulate like 
 a good scrap." 
 
 He closed his eyes and leaned his head back for pos- 
 sibly thirty seconds, and then his eyes snapped open 
 and he pounded his bell vigorously. "Where is that 
 fool butler? Higgins Higgins! I'll twist his neck 
 when he does come." 
 
 The door opened and the butler entered decorously. 
 Bannington glared at him. "Where have you been ?" 
 
 "Why, sir," began Higgins, "Mr. Dick"
 
 'If you say another word about suffering humanity. I'll brain you"
 
 A SPITE FENCE 133 
 
 "I have told you fifty times that I am boss of this 
 house, not Mr. Dick." 
 
 "I know that, sir. It would be 'ard for any one 
 to boss Mr. Dick; but what I started " 
 
 "You infernal idiot! You knew exactly what I 
 meant. I meant that I am the boss ; Mr. Dick is not. 
 He is a hare-brained idiot! Do you intend to take 
 orders from me in the future, or from a hare-brained 
 idiot?" 
 
 "Yes, sir; certainly, sir." 
 
 "What? What do you mean?" 
 
 "I I 'ardly know, sir," stammered Higgins. 
 
 "Then what the devil do you mean by trying to tell 
 me something, when you don't know it yourself?" 
 
 "I I ; yes, sir. No, sir " faltered' Higgins. 
 
 "Oh, dry up! You make me so nervous that I can 
 hardly see, and the doctor said I must have absolute 
 quiet. Now, take three deep breaths and tell me why 
 you did not come at once." 
 
 "Well, sir, Mr. Di he had some persons to lunch- 
 eon, and they " 
 
 "Who did?" 
 
 "Mr. Dick, sir," apologized Higgins. 
 
 "The scoundrel! What kind of persons?" 
 
 "Why, some of them looked respectable, sir, but 
 some of them looked like tramps, an' they talked 'orrid 
 wicked about the rich. I was " 
 
 "What! Tramps eating in my house? What in 
 thunder do you mean by leaving them alone with the 
 silver? Get out of here and order them out of the
 
 134 THE STEERING WHEEL' 
 
 house, and send my nephew here at once ! Well, what 
 are you staring at? Hurry up." 
 
 "Oh, I'll get apoplexy," moaned Bannington after 
 Higgins had left the room. "Why in thunder did I 
 have to have this fool rheumatic-gout just at this time ? 
 This is the last time I let Thompson doctor me. Rheu- 
 matic-gout? If my grandfather had been a wealthy 
 man, it would be just plain gout ! But plain gout's too 
 infernally refined for a self-made man. Well, it can't 
 hurt any worse and that's some satisfaction." 
 
 Dick entered without visible signs of uneasiness, 
 and, after vainly striving to make his eyes shift, his 
 uncle demanded : "What do you mean by having a lot 
 of tramps here?" 
 
 Dick had merely heard that the old man was suf- 
 fering from an ancient and painful enemy, but this 
 appeared to be delirium. His conscience smote him 
 for having ignored him so long and he said soothingly : 
 "There, there, Uncle ; there are no tramps here. Just 
 let me" 
 
 "Here? Of course they're not here! Now, don't 
 you dare to think that I'm out of my head. I'm as 
 sane as I ever was in my life though the Lord only 
 knows how I keep so. I mean the gang you have in 
 the dining-room." 
 
 "Great Scott, Uncle, those are not tramps. Those 
 are a few of the leading socialists, and prominent 
 union men whom I invited to discuss matters with 
 a couple of interesting members of the great army of 
 the unemployed." 
 
 "Leading socialists; prominent union men; inter-
 
 A SPITE FENCE 135 
 
 esting members of the great army of unemployed!" 
 repeated the uncle. "What is the reason there are no 
 celebrated safe-blowers, conspicuous cutthroats, and 
 illustrious street-cleaners here to do honor to our 
 humble board ? Now you fire them out of this house 
 this very instant, do you hear?" 
 
 "I certainly do," answered Dick calmly. "There is 
 no doubt but that you have your full share of imper- 
 fections, but a feeble and indistinct voice is not one 
 of them. I shall not fire them out of this house this 
 instant, or any other instant. I invited them here." 
 
 "Do you know who I am?" 
 
 "Only by hearsay," replied Dick with unshaken 
 calmness. "The general impression is that you have 
 the honor of being my uncle." 
 
 "Honor yes, it is indeed an honor. You are about 
 as useless a creature as I ever met. But what I want 
 you to understand is, that I am still the head of this 
 house and intend to remain so." 
 
 Bannington's voice had lost its childish petulancy and 
 had fallen to the colder tones which in themselves 
 indicated something of menace. 
 
 "The ten days are not quite up," replied Dick, his 
 voice in turn losing its taunting undertone and indi- 
 cating deliberate determination. "I enjoy the freedom 
 and privileges of my paternal roof a few hours longer, 
 and one of these privileges is inviting my friends to 
 call on me and entertaining them decently when they 
 come. Now, you need not alarm yourself. They were 
 on the point of leaving when Higgins told me you 
 wished to speak to me, and as it was necessary for some
 
 of them to catch the four o'clock train, they have un- 
 doubtedly left by this time. Furthermore, in order 
 to put your mind entirely at ease, I shall take this oc- 
 casion to inform you that I, also, intend to leave to- 
 night." 
 
 Always their quarrels followed the same circle : they 
 irritated each other until the underlying sturdiness 
 of their natures became exposed; then each found 
 something to respect in the other, and the old, famil- 
 iar call of the blood cried out against breaking the ties 
 which bound them together. Now, they maintained 
 a somewhat awkward silence for a few moments, and 
 then Bannington said softly : "Don't do it, boy. Your 
 place is at the plant. I don't expect much of you at 
 first, but I want you with me I want some one I 
 can talk to. I'm lonely, Dick, and that's gospel truth." 
 
 "You needn't think, Uncle, that it's going to be easy 
 for me to turn my back on the old ways entirely, but 
 I simply can't stand it to be run over, the way you try 
 to run over every one." 
 
 "At least, I have never tried to run over you, Dick," 
 argued the old man a little reproachfully. "Why, you 
 carry on like an insane person, but I just meekly let 
 you go your own gait." 
 
 "You are, indeed, the meek one," rejoined Dick, 
 smiling but unshaken. "Here I asked you not to put up 
 that idiotic fence, but what effect did it have? I go 
 away for a few days, and when I return I find a fright- 
 ful barricade with spikes on top and a couple of Hun- 
 garian outlaws on guard. That would settle it with 
 me, even if it had not been settled already."
 
 A SPITE FENCE 137 
 
 "I don't intend to provide promenade grounds for 
 the Burtons," replied Bannington with emphasis. 
 
 "Puts me in a nice box, doesn't it?" pointed out 
 Dick. "To live in a yard too sacred for our nearest 
 neighbors to look into, and yet to preach a universal 
 brotherhood " 
 
 "Stop it, stop it, I say !" cried Bannington, flaring up 
 again. "Confound it, I won't sit here and permit any 
 living creature to beat me over the head with that 
 word. Now, Dick, I don't want to rile you up, 
 but you ought to use a little discretion. The truth 
 about you, Dick, is that you have a good heart, but 
 a fool head." 
 
 "A head is nothing but a machine a man's heart is 
 what counts. Your own heart is becoming ossified; 
 then what use is your head good though it is to the 
 human race?" 
 
 Bannington exploded. "The human race be well, 
 no, not quite that, but for Heaven's sake, Dick, keep 
 it out of your talk until we can come to a sensible 
 understanding. I don't want you to leave. You know, 
 boy, that you have always found a hearty welcome 
 here." 
 
 "Not this last time," answered Dick a little stiffly. 
 "You treated me outrageously this last time. After 
 wandering around the entire globe, I came back like 
 the prodigal son " 
 
 "Prodigal hell !" exclaimed the old man. "You came 
 back like the fatted calf. The three tramps who are 
 fleecing you are more like the prodigal son. They 
 are simply working you, Dick "
 
 138 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "That will do," interrupted Dick decisively. "I am 
 willing for you to revile me, but I refuse to listen 
 when you insult my guests." 
 
 "Oh, never mind them," said his uncle largely, "I'll 
 give them jobs, too, the very moment you are willing 
 to go to work. I tell you, Dick, that a year at hard 
 work would give you a truer view of life than seven 
 centuries spent in sitting down and studying over it. 
 We are after a big government contract now no- 
 body can handle it except Burton or us and it will 
 give us a work-out. I have it about figured down to 
 the roots, for we have to have it. Our credit is be- 
 ginning to limp a little, and getting this contract means 
 that we'll be able to make the grade; while losing 
 means that we never can get over it that the Ban- 
 nington Steel Plant is whipped, once and for all." 
 
 "What good will it clo if you have it figured down 
 to the roots ?" asked Dick, sincerely interested. 
 
 "Well, now, Dick," replied the old man with a dry 
 wink, "there is always a little something in the roots 
 but the main thing is that it will bolster up our credit. 
 I'd give a hundred thousand dollars to know exactly 
 what Burton's bid will be and you might have found 
 out, too." 
 
 "How in the world could I have found out?" 
 
 "By marrying his daughter." 
 
 "I'll never marry her," answ r ered Dick shortly. 
 "But if I were already married to her, I don't see 
 what good it would do. She wouldn't know anything 
 about the contract, and it wouldn't be fair sport for 
 her to tell if she did."
 
 A SPITE FENCE 139 
 
 "Fair sport," grinned the old man. "You'll find out 
 quick enough that the steel business isn't played like 
 foot-ball that is, not the way you played foot-ball. 
 I'd find out if I could. Burton would find out my 
 bid if he could and we both know it." 
 
 "I am sorry, Uncle, but the more I learn of business, ' 
 the more I dislike it." 
 
 "And the more I know of you the more hopeless I 
 become. You act like some overgrown boy with his 
 pockets full of money. Do you know what your in- 
 come will be if you cut loose from me?" 
 
 "I don't suppose it will be anything until I earn 
 one for myself," answered Dick confidently. 
 
 "You'd starve to death long before that," scoffed 
 Bannington. "You have an income of exactly nine hun- 
 dred dollars from your mother and that's all you 
 will have." 
 
 "My poor little mother," said Dick softly. "I can't 
 even remember her and did she leave me an income?" 
 
 "You can call it an income if you want to," said 
 the old man, incensed that Dick had not received the 
 news as a blow, "but a heap of good it would do you. 
 Nine hundred dollars ! Why, you can't scrimp along on 
 that for a month without practising the strictest econ- 
 omy. And you have the nerve to tell me that you 
 are going to live on a measly, underfed stipend of 
 nine hundred " 
 
 Dick put his hand gently on his uncle's arm. "Never 
 mind finishing, Uncle," he said softly. "I remember 
 it all now. This little income of nine hundred a year 
 was the fortune my mother brought my father and
 
 I 4 o THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 it was a fortune to him then. It doesn't sound very 
 large to-day, but it was the start of the Bannington 
 Steel Plant and neither of us can afford to sneer 
 at it." 
 
 A half -shamed expression came to Bannington's 
 face, but he hardened instantly. "There was something 
 back of it when it started the plant," he said; "brains 
 and industry, and hard common sense." 
 
 "And I believe that I can take it and start some- 
 thing else," began Dick, holding himself erect, but 
 speaking in low, even tones. "Something which will 
 not turn me into a machine, but will keep me 
 
 "Then go I've done all I can, and now I'm through 
 with you." His uncle's voice was implacable. 
 
 "All right," replied Dick, refusing to be ruffled. "I 
 am going to take a walk about the grounds, now. I 
 have sent my stuff down to my new quarters; but I 
 don't want to leave as though we had been quarreling 
 and I'll stop in and say good-by to you before I go if 
 I miss you at dinner." 
 
 Dick started toward the door, stopped and looked at 
 his uncle who sat with his brows drawn together in 
 pain, rather than anger. For a moment the boy hesi- 
 tated, and then, with a shrug, he turned the knob and 
 stepped into the passageway. 
 
 For a full minute the old man's eyes remained 
 sternly on the door which had closed behind his 
 nephew, and then he drew his hand wearily across his 
 forehead. 
 
 "I can't see what possesses the boy," he muttered. 
 "Here I have given him the best years of my life, and
 
 A SPITE FENCE 141 
 
 am willing to throw in the rest of it. I think of nothing 
 but his welfare ; and yet he never loses a chance to defy 
 me. Well, let him," he continued gruffly after a pause. 
 "Hang it, I haven't reached the stage yet where I'm 
 going to let infants dictate to me. Confound the three 
 loafers who led him astray!"
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE RICHARD A SPIN 
 
 ICHARD BANNINGTON sat brooding over the 
 splendid career which his nephew might have en- 
 joyed if he had put him to work as soon as his college 
 days were over instead of permitting him to fall into 
 the clutches of the three undesirables with whom he 
 had returned, until a knock at the door aroused him. 
 
 "Come in," he growled. 
 
 Emil and Ivan entered, bent on exemplifying the 
 reciprocity of hospitality by comforting their host in 
 his hour of affliction. 
 
 "Ah, Mr. Bannington," said Emil blandly, "we have 
 been enjoying a most delightful " 
 
 "I don't doubt it," snapped Bannington. "I don't 
 doubt it in the least ! You are exactly the kind who de- 
 vote most of their lives to enjoying the most delightful 
 things at the expense of some one else." 
 
 "Well, really if you feel- " began Emil, but Ban- 
 nington again interrupted him. 
 
 "Never you mind how I feel, I'm still able to know 
 what I think. Did you ever stop to consider your true 
 positions : you come over here to reform this country 
 the United States of America ! Where did you come 
 from? You are a natural born German and you, a 
 natural born Russian ; and you were both chased out of 
 
 142
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 143 
 
 your own countries into France, which isn't a country 
 at all but a hot house where they spend their time rais- 
 ing things contrary to the laws of nature. I don't care 
 what it is religion, clothing, morals, politics, any- 
 thing at all ; once it goes through Paris it comes forth 
 twisted and pulled and " 
 
 "One moment, my dear sir," interrupted Emil. "In 
 a measure you are right ; but you too hasty at conclu- 
 sions jump. In Paris there are three hundred and 
 thirty-one distinct religious divisions, nine political par- 
 ties, each one many times subdivided, one hundred and 
 seven philosophical societies, four hundred and nine- 
 teen" 
 
 "Well, good heavens, what do I care?" exclaimed 
 Bannington. "I don't own Paris, and I don't want to 
 buy it. The worst I have against it is that it brought you 
 and my fool nephew together. You are in a big busi- 
 ness to spoil that boy's entire life." 
 
 "No, not so!" said Ivan with fervor. "We have 
 not spoiled his life, we shall not spoil his life. Now, do 
 we give him the great opportunity of offering up his 
 life in the cause of Br " 
 
 Bannington clutched the arms of his chair and raised 
 himself. "Don't you dare to say a word about brotherly 
 love or suffering humanity. I'm not so defenseless as 
 I appear, and hang it, I won't stand it !" 
 
 "I do not wish to offend you," answered Ivan with 
 simple earnestness. "I do not wish to offend any one. 
 We never feel hatred for individuals, we never fight 
 individuals ; but always we oppose the system the sys- 
 tem under which both the millionaire and the tramp
 
 144 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 are inevitable. In this fight I am rejoiced to give up 
 my life." 
 
 Ivan paused with a look of high devotion on his 
 face, and Bannington eyed him curiously before he re- 
 plied in a more subdued tone : "Yes, you are exactly the 
 kind of man who is always willing to die for a cause 
 and nine times out of ten, that is the very best work he 
 can do for it Now I say this in kindness. You live too 
 high in the air. Your ideals are all right as ideals ; but, 
 hang it, you can't live up to an ideal. You can only live 
 toward one in a conservative and practical way. Your 
 kind of man wants to go from the ox-cart to the air- 
 ship in one step. The safest plan is to develop the steam 
 car and gasolene motor first." 
 
 "You are right," chimed in Emil. "The keynote of 
 all things is evolution. Starting from the single cell, we 
 find" 
 
 "Now, you must excuse me," said Bannington who 
 was surprised to find himself getting into a fairly good 
 humor, "but I never could stand it to have evolution 
 reduced to fractions just at this moment. I can see 
 your side of the question, and it is all right for you. 
 If you two want to go about preaching and hurling 
 figures at people, I won't do anything to stop it. No, 
 indeed, I'll even go further and supply the funds. All 
 I ask is, that you leave my nephew free to do his duty 
 in that station of life into which it has pleased God to 
 call him." 
 
 The old man's voice had grown solemn, and Ivan's 
 voice vibrated with feeling as he answered: "I love 
 your nephew more than if he was my own brother. I
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 145 
 
 would never do one thing to spoil his life; and I am 
 willing to give up my own to bring him happiness ; but 
 this cause seems the grandest thing in life to me it 
 does it seems the grandest thing in life." 
 
 "You're honest, I admit that," rejoined Bannington, 
 returning the tense gaze of the zealous Russian; "but 
 you carry too much sail for your ballast. Still, I'm go- 
 ing to treat you just as if you had good common sense ; 
 and this is the proposition : would it be better for your 
 cause to have a foe or a friend, at the head of the Ban- 
 nington Steel Plant with its heavy pay-roll?" 
 
 The old man spoke slowly and when he had finished, 
 Ivan put his hand to his chin and fixed his eyes on the 
 ceiling in silent meditation. Bannington eagerly watched 
 the mental battle which the Russian was undergoing; 
 but Emil could not resist an opportunity to convert the 
 gold of silence into the less precious metal of speech. 
 
 "It is estimated," he said impersonally, "that during 
 the next decade, the world will sixty million tons of 
 iron per annum consume. This means about one hun- 
 dred eighty million tons of ore, as ore which does not 
 yield more than twenty per cent, is not considered of a 
 profitable richness to work. Now in Sweden " 
 
 "Write the rest of it on paper, and let the man 
 think," broke in Bannington testily. 
 
 "It is a big question I can not answer it offhand," 
 said Ivan. He stood for a moment, thinking deeply. 
 Then, like one in a dream, he slowly turned and walked 
 from the room. 
 
 "A strange man," commented Emil. 
 
 "I believe he is honest."
 
 i 4 6 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Yes, even is he as strange as that." 
 
 "But he lives too much in the clouds." 
 
 "For a priest was he intended," said Emil. "He 
 would be the kind of priest that had so much religion 
 to attend to that he could scarcely time to learn his 
 own theology find. Some such there are even yet. Do 
 you realize that Ivan still believes that if a majority of 
 people could be convinced that a thing was right, they 
 would themselves make it so ? He like a little child is. 
 I have, myself, seen him pray." 
 
 Bannington looked at the calm, gentle face of his 
 visitor critically. "Have you no religion of your own ?" 
 he asked. 
 
 "What, me?" exclaimed Emil. "How could that be? 
 I have passed through philosophy to science. Religion 
 comes first. Religion is of fear and ignorance. At first 
 all was religion: thunder was the voice of an angry 
 god, good crops were the gifts of a pleased god ; every- 
 thing was of mystery and by offering up sacrifices the 
 gods could be appeased and wheedled. Now, when a 
 ship goes on a rock, only the women pray. A call for 
 help is shot out into the air, other ships receive it, turn 
 about on the trackless ocean with as much certainty as 
 a blind man goes from his bedroom to his breakfast 
 table, and soon they come to the ship on the rocks. 
 There is no more mystery, therefore there can be no 
 more religion." 
 
 The old man was shocked, not so much at Emil's 
 words as at his calmness, his sincerity. "Don't you 
 even believe in God?" he asked. 
 
 "I believe in nothing which can not be demonstrated,
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 147 
 
 if not as a fact, then as a theory. The existence of 
 God, I do not deny. I can no more prove that He does 
 not exist than that He does; therefore, I live in the 
 world I can see and feel, and if also He is here, He 
 must admit that my attitude is of more reverence than 
 is the attitude of most Christians." 
 
 "Reverence?" exclaimed Bannington indignantly, as 
 he thought of Dick having been exposed to such views 
 for a year. "You are blasphemous. If a man did not 
 have the ten commandments to live by, he would be the 
 vilest savage !" 
 
 Emil smiled. "The ten were condensed to two, you 
 remember," he said, "and one of these is impossible. 
 No man can love God." 
 
 Richard Bannington forgot his swollen foot and sat 
 erect. "How dare you say such things? Think of all 
 the charity, think of all the churches, think of all 
 the" 
 
 "When a few individuals the wealth which should 
 belong to the entire society grab, it is but natural that 
 they are impelled part of the society's duties to per- 
 form although most of the big gifts are either made 
 as an advertisement, or else the conscience a little to 
 soothe. But how is it possible to love what one never 
 has seen or felt or heard. You are superstitious and 
 afraid to speak the truth; but you do not love Him, 
 yourself. No, but you don't. You do not your great 
 grandfather love, nor the best man on this earth, if 
 you have not come into touch with him. Listen : always 
 with love there is an eager yearning to serve, not as a 
 duty, mind you; but a great, strong passion to pour
 
 148 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 out the best that is in you. Ah ha, that is too plain to 
 be missed; your face shows that it hit even you." 
 
 "But there are men who feel this deep yearning to 
 serve God." 
 
 Emil shook his head. "No," he said slowly, "the 
 man who best serves God if there is God is the man 
 who forgets Him entirely in serving his fellow-man. 
 Many try to flatter God by speaking well of Him, 
 by looking solemn when He is mentioned, by express- 
 ing their approval of the way He does things think 
 of that, a human bug commending Omnipotence! That 
 is why I say I am more reverent than most of the 
 Christians. If God is, then is He too vast for my com- 
 prehension, He is infinite, almighty. If He is cruel and 
 revengeful, and vain as theology teaches then He 
 will torment me through eternity because I am honest ; 
 but if He is infinitely just and this is my idea for God 
 then what have I to fear ? 
 
 "It is impossible to compare my idea for God with 
 anything else; but to show to you exactly that which 
 I am striving to convey, listen. Suppose that I had the 
 wisdom to understand the speech of an ant. I build a 
 grand house and disturb the dwelling places of many 
 ants. They resent it, they call me bitter names, they 
 curse me. Now then, would I roast them on a slow 
 fire ? Why vicious man has a society which would pre- 
 vent it, even though the roasting could but a few min- 
 utes last. Now, remember that I am a human, and vain 
 and cruel, yet I should sympathize with the ants and, 
 if it were possible, prepare for them a new village. 
 You say you reverence God, and yet you teach that if
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 149 
 
 we don't do this or that foolishness, His infinite wis- 
 dom, justice, and love will punish us throughout eter- 
 nity. Bah, my God is divine, yours is nothing but a 
 giant who has never been civilized." 
 
 Bannington was really astonished that a bolt of light- 
 ning did not strike Emil dead at his feet. He had re- 
 ceived very rigid religious instruction at his mother's 
 knee, and during all his busy life this instruction had 
 clung to him. As his intellect had matured, his religion 
 had remained the same primitive belief which had 
 found lodgment in his unseasoned child's mind. He sel- 
 dom talked of religion, he seldom went to church, he 
 gave his gifts and felt that he was on good terms with 
 his Creator ; but to be brought face to face with him- 
 self, his queer, creaky creed, and the bland agnosticism 
 of his visitor, was much like a sleep-walker awaking to 
 find himself in the midst of a cold, rushing stream. 
 
 "We do not find God because we do not do the work 
 He has left us to do," faltered Bannington, striving to 
 force his memory to give up certain forms which had 
 long lain idle. 
 
 "Bah," scoffed Emil. "How could a finite being 
 do the work of an infinite being? It always makes me 
 laugh to hear one of you reverent ones apologize for 
 God." 
 
 "Apologize for Him?" 
 
 "Sure. You say He is a personal being who controls 
 every earthly action I mean the ones of you who even 
 pretend to be logical and then when some terrible 
 calamity occurs which, if done deliberately would be 
 of a vast cruelty, you fold your hands and say that
 
 150 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the locality was for its sin punished. A little child 
 dies, you say God took him because He loved him. 
 A drunkard breaks his neck, you say he aroused the 
 wrath of God and was stricken. You give God credit 
 for all the movements of nature, and then explain their 
 purpose so that He will still appear respectable to be. 
 You examine only your own narrow hearts, and find 
 your own souls sitting there in the gloom and you rush 
 out and say you have found God." 
 
 "I don't see how you can look on the works of 
 nature, the stars, the mountains, the wonderful variety 
 of creation, and doubt the existence of God," said 
 the old man in a low, reverent tone. He felt inadequate 
 to the occasion and the situation accused him and 
 filled him with humility. 
 
 "Now, I will tell you how I plan my life," said 
 Emil. "I do not seek to find God Himself, because no 
 good would it do me. I only seek to find the great 
 laws of the universe. These laws are just : neither kind 
 nor cruel, neither resentful nor forgiving, just just. 
 Justice is godlike, I bow before it. I have in my body 
 sensations. All knowledge whatsoever comes to me 
 through sensations. I am of material made, therefore 
 all things must come to me in the form of material 
 everything, everything, I say, even my emotions. Cer- 
 tain of my sensations seem to initiate in my own body. 
 I call them appetites, desires. If God wished to talk to 
 me, He would talk through them. Yes, that would be 
 logical, just. 
 
 "Also I have observation and memory faculties 
 and functions of my material brain and I observe that
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 151 
 
 certain sensations are pleasant and certain others pain- 
 ful. If God were a personal being who had revealed 
 himself orally, pain would be a curse; but to me pain 
 is the great teacher; pain is ever watchful, pain is just 
 I observe that some acts yield pleasant sensations, but 
 the reaction is painful. I consider this, I store it 
 away, I call it experience, it becomes my monitor. 
 When I heed my monitor, I am healthy, I am content, 
 I am happy. Otherwise, not. Now, the highest de- 
 velopment in man is the social instinct, the social ex- 
 perience, the social conscience. No man can himself 
 safeguard, but all men working in unison could remove 
 sickness, and poverty, and pain. All the books of all 
 the religions have I read, they are confusion. Nature 
 is the same always. Her I listen to and she deceives 
 me not. If God is, nature is His revelation." 
 
 "I can see your position," said Bannington, "and it is 
 not so irreverent as it seemed at first, but your very 
 arguments prove the existence of God." 
 
 "Not so, It merely proves that if there be a God, 
 He is infinite and just; caring nothing whatever for 
 any individual at all. The innocent child is permitted 
 to starve to death, or to be ground up in the mills and 
 factories, and God does not a hand to save him reach. 
 It is merely written down on the social experience that 
 if man wishes his species to continue, he must coop- 
 erate, he must learn to protect his own young through 
 social supervision. God has merely tossed out a world 
 and said, Tight for it;' and we have fought for it; 
 fought with the prehistoric monsters, with the tiny 
 germs, and with one another. We have loved the fight,
 
 152 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 but we have not loved the God who tossed us the world 
 to fight over. Some day, when we have conquered 
 ourselves, even as we have already conquered distance, 
 time and the secrets of production, we shall begin to 
 look up; and if there is a God, we shall find Him 
 through loving our fellow-man ; but now we must con- 
 tinue to fight, and one thing at a time is plenty. Matter 
 changes its form, but it is not destructible. Life 
 changes its form, but neither is it destructible. If life 
 continues the same individual life through its changes, 
 then some day I, my very self, may say I have found 
 God. Until then I shall remain as I am, growing like 
 a tree." 
 
 Twilight had begun to fling her long shadows across 
 the landscape, and the restful peace of a weary day 
 stole in with its soothing silence. The two men sat 
 thinking, and their thoughts reached far and wide in 
 many directions. They did not hear the door open and 
 Ivan enter. 
 
 Ivan walked up to the old man and, without refer- 
 ence to any foregoing subject, said with sad firmness : 
 "I can not approve." 
 
 "You can't approve of what?" demanded Banning- 
 ton, who was undecided as to whether Ivan objected 
 to the outcome of his theological discussion with Emil 
 or if he objected to all religious discussions from prin- 
 ciple. 
 
 "I can not approve of your nephew's going into your 
 plant," answered Ivan earnestly. "We are all subject 
 to our environment and he is still unformed. He would 
 be shaken by his new duties, he would soon get into
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 153 
 
 your way of thinking, he would find himself in the 
 midst of problems demanding instant attention, and he 
 would lose his high ideals, his purpose, his real life- 
 work. I can not approve." 
 
 "You don't have to approve," rejoined Bannington, 
 glad to find himself on solid rock again. "I'll take all 
 the responsibilities. I only wanted to give you an op- 
 portunity to display your brand of judgment. I don't 
 think much of it. It is impractical." 
 
 "No," murmured Emil, "it is of experience. Social- 
 ists have been taken into the cabinets of Europe. They 
 soon began to think like ministers. We want all so- 
 cialists to think like working-men." 
 
 "When did you work last?" flashed Richard Ban- 
 nington, turning upon him. 
 
 Emil chuckled. "This is the way that personal con- 
 troversies always start. They amount to nothing, 
 except to pass the time away. Science deals with 
 generalizations, unscience confines itself to freaks, the 
 hero, the genius, the honest lawyer, the scrupulous cap- 
 tain of industry." He closed his eyes, drew a deep 
 breath, and when he resumed there was a vibrant 
 undertone in his voice which entirely removed its usual 
 academic impersonality. "Twelve years ago I stoked 
 a tramp steamer for ten months against my will and 
 without receiving pay. You say such a thing would be 
 impossible. To me it happened and still in my nostrils 
 are the sickening smells, and still do I gag at the rotten 
 food I swallowed. Since then with my hands I have not 
 worked. Now, when I work, it is with the head. My 
 memory is good ; I can do many things ; but all I work
 
 154 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 for is a modest living. No man shall ever again make 
 of my labor much profit. I am on a strike." 
 
 "Well, hanged if I wouldn't like to know what the 
 tests for insanity are, nowadays," cried Bannington. 
 "You two loaf from one year's end to another, and yet 
 you devote yourselves to bewailing the hardships of the 
 laboring man. I wish I had the power to put you at 
 hard labor for the rest of your days. I would but 
 remember, that as long as you are Dick's guests, you 
 are perfectly welcome at Bannington Park, and what I 
 say is said freely and impartially, and just the same as 
 if we had happened to meet at a way station." 
 
 "That is all right," said Emil, smiling. "You have 
 been a good host. I have felt at liberty to say all I 
 had to say. Now it is time to wash for dinner, so I'll 
 say au revolr for a few moments." 
 
 Ivan followed his friend from the room and Ban- 
 nington sat gazing after them. He shook his head while 
 several conflicting expressions flitted across his grim 
 old face. "I wonder what would have happened to me if 
 I had fallen in with that pair when I was Dick's age, 
 having plenty of money and nothing to do. I don't 
 want to be unjust to the boy, he's only a boy. I wonder 
 if he has any religion. Hardly know whether I have 
 any myself, now. This has been a stimulating after- 
 noon, and my fool foot is lots better. To think of a 
 man being on a strike all by himself." He broke 
 into a chuckle. "I'll be sorry to lose that German." 
 
 The old man dropped into a silent reverie, drumming 
 noiselessly on the arm of his chair with long, ener- 
 getic fingers. "Ivan was right," he said after a space,
 
 EMIL TAKES UNCLE A SPIN 155 
 
 striking the arm with his fist. "It will change his way 
 of thinking. He will get into the habit of thinking like 
 me, if he gets in the habit of working with me. If I 
 can just land him in the harness, he'll be so blamed 
 busy that he won't have time to bother with theories; 
 and he won't have much sympathy with labor unions 
 .after he's had a fight or two with them. If he does, 
 he's not of the stuff I take him for. 
 
 "I feel a blamed sight better. I think I'll go out to 
 dinner myself to-night. I'm going to set 'em all three 
 to talking religion. I'd like to hear the count's views. 
 I'll bet he's got a religion like a snake!" 
 
 He rose, and after taking a few painful steps, he 
 used a straight-backed chair for a cane, and returned 
 to the desk near which his easy chair was standing. 
 He struck the bell angrily, waited a second and struck 
 it repeatedly. In a moment the butler entered with a 
 perturbed expression on his wooden face. 
 
 "Why don't you pay closer attention?" demanded 
 Bannington. "Hand me my cane now give me your 
 shoulder steady, stupid, steady." 
 
 With much grumbling and much fuss, the head of 
 the house of Bannington walked gingerly out to dinner, 
 hoping to study his nephew's face during a religious 
 discussion. The butler hoped they would escape a col- 
 lision with the furniture.
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 UNCLE RICHARD COLLIDES 
 
 FYTNNER was a disappointment to Richard Ban- 
 *- > ' nington : Dick did not appear, the count refused 
 to be drawn into a religious discussion, Emil refused 
 to be insulted, and Ivan flinched from an unkind re- 
 mark without striking back. This was really the hard- 
 est blow. The old man prided himself on his spirit of 
 fair play; he made it a rule not to take advantage of 
 his position, and to have one of his guests meekly 
 pocket an affront was to put him into a situation from 
 which there was no honorable retreat, and he had left 
 his guests over their coffee and cigars and had come 
 into the library in a highly irritated condition. 
 
 He had his chair drawn close to the fireplace and sat 
 down with a discontented groan. "I wish it was cool 
 enough to have a fire," he grumbled. "A human being 
 is as uncertain as Sunday-school-picnic weather. Oh, 
 wrath, I wish this foot would get well !" 
 
 He looked at the head-lines on the front pages of 
 three evening papers, rumpled them up, and cast them 
 to the floor like a spoiled child. "They're all alike," 
 he muttered ; "always the same proportion of scandal, 
 accidents and crimes. I'd just as soon read a paper 
 ten years old as one ten minutes old. Good land, to 
 think that I once subscribed to a clipping bureau to 
 
 156
 
 UNCLE RICHARD COLLIDES 157 
 
 find out what the newspapers said about me! I must 
 have been demented. I would not give two cents " 
 
 He was interrupted by the butler who entered to 
 report that the two keepers had brought in a woman 
 whom they had caught trespassing on his grounds. 
 He considered the matter a moment. He had 
 felt perfectly justified in building the high board fence. 
 When the first two keepers had made clear the impos- 
 sibility of their thoroughly patrolling so large an area, 
 he had added two others so that there could be night 
 and day shifts, and had given them rigid instructions 
 to bring the first trespasser directly to himself. But 
 now that he was called on to assume the role of a 
 feudal overlord, it took on an unexpected and bizarre 
 appearance, and he was impelled to bid them send the 
 woman on her way. 
 
 If he had not been in a bad temper, he would un- 
 doubtedly have done so, but as it was, he hardened his 
 face and said shortly : "Bring her in." 
 
 With his well foot he kicked his chair around until 
 it was facing the door and his face wore its most for- 
 bidding expression when the two guards entered, hold- 
 ing by the arms Miss Burton who struggled indignantly 
 but futilely. 
 
 She looked Bannington fiercely in the eyes. "Of all 
 the outrageous acts which you have done in a miserably 
 misspent lifetime, this is the worst. It does not seem 
 possible that in any civilized land at this period of the 
 world's history " 
 
 "Never mind the world's history," interrupted the 
 old man dryly. Her appearance stimulated and soothed
 
 158 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 him. The situation promised to be exactly the safety- 
 valve which he needed. "Tell me what is the matter as 
 briefly and as calmly as possible. My doctor has 
 ordered quiet and I insist on having it." 
 
 "I merely stepped into your grounds for a moment, 
 and these ignorant foreigners pounced on me and " 
 
 "What did you step into my grounds for ?" 
 
 "Don't think for one moment that I would set foot 
 on your grounds for my own pleasure," returned Miss 
 Burton, holding her head high and shaking it vigor- 
 ously. "I was in search of a young girl, a wayward, 
 headstrong creature who is under my supervision and 
 who makes my life a burden by her " 
 
 "Well, that is no reason why you should come and 
 make my life a burden," interjected Bannington, who 
 felt that the board-fence investment was beginning to 
 pay dividends. Long training had given him the power 
 to enjoy things thoroughly without altering the mis- 
 anthropic expression of his face. "From which direc- 
 tion did you come?" 
 
 "I came from the eastern side of " 
 
 "Well, Great Scott, how did you climb that fence ?" 
 interrupted Bannington. 
 
 "You are positively insulting! Do you think that I 
 should ever attempt to climb a fence fifteen feet high, 
 to say nothing " 
 
 "It is not fifteen, it is only ten. What do you sup- 
 pose it was put up for, anyway?" 
 
 "I refuse to suppose anything about either your 
 fence or any other of your barbarous actions. I have 
 told you that I merely stepped on to your premises in
 
 UNCLE RICHARD COLLIDES 159 
 
 order to seek a young girl. I had no idea that in my 
 own dear America, the land of the free, I should find 
 armed guards patrolling a division fence which in itself 
 is an eyesore to the culture and refinement of the 
 twentieth century. I mentioned the freedom of this 
 country, but of course it means freedom to do right 
 and not " 
 
 "I have heard about freedom before, and you need 
 not feel called on to deliver a lecture," interrupted 
 Bannington. "You don't suppose that I put up that 
 fence and hired these guards to trap a governess, do 
 you? For the last ten days there hasn't a soul come 
 near me without trying to add to my education. I know 
 all I want to know my opinions suit me exactly ; and, 
 as far as freedom goes, my land is my own, and if I 
 want to build a fifty-foot wall around it and put a 
 roof over it and sow it with bear-traps, I am going to 
 do it in spite of all the woman-suffragists and the so- 
 cialists, and the rest of the cranks put together. Fur- 
 thermore, you are guilty of trespass, and I intend to 
 make an example " 
 
 "If you do not permit me to leave at once, I shall 
 write up this outrage in every newspaper in the coun- 
 try. I shall have all the ministers preach against it, I 
 shall have it told in clubs and hotels until you 
 
 "Good work," commended Bannington. "Go ahead, 
 and if your pin-money runs out before you finish, just 
 send in your bills to my advertising department. What 
 is your name?" 
 
 "I refuse to tell you," answered Miss Burton, for 
 the first time giving evidence of faltering confidence.
 
 i6o THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "All right You can tell the justice of the peace if 
 you prefer. But you will have to tell some one, so 
 you might just as well tell me now and have it over 
 with." 
 
 Miss Burton's fingers worked convulsively, and the 
 motions they made suggested scratching, her expres- 
 sion was composed of indignation and defiance, but as 
 the old man's cold gray eyes kept steadily on hers, from 
 beneath his heavy brows, a look of nervous dread came 
 to Miss Burton's face. She felt, as a material sub- 
 stance, the power of his will bending hers, and she 
 would have chosen torture rather than to appear at 
 a disadvantage before a Bannington. Yet she could 
 feel the little lines about her eyes weakening and knew 
 that the sooner she surrendered, the more graceful 
 her submission would be. "Do you mean that you 
 would be vulgar enough to force a lady to divulge her 
 name?" she demanded scornfully. 
 
 "I don't know the meaning of divulge," returned 
 Bannington with wicked gravity, "but I'm vulgar 
 enough to do anything in order to gain a point." 
 
 "Well, then," said Miss Burton, and she really ap- 
 peared to be granting an impertinent request rather 
 than yielding to force, "it is utterly reprehensible for 
 you to insist, but as long as you are so ill-mannered as 
 to do so, my name is Miss Burton." 
 
 "Miss Burton !" exclaimed Bannington, raising him- 
 self on the arms of his chair, and then sinking back as 
 from a shock. "Well, I don't blame Dick a bit. He 
 don't have to marry you! I mean, madam" as he 
 noted the expression of her face "that I am sorry that
 
 UNCLE RICHARD COLLIDES 161 
 
 I have inconvenienced you. You see, I am a very ill 
 man, a little delirious. I " 
 
 "That will do!" cried Miss Burton. "You have de- 
 liberately insulted me, and it is useless to attempt to 
 pass it off. This is not the end of it, I can assure you. 
 I shall tell my cousin of this you may be sure of 
 that. And furthermore " 
 
 Richard was really sorry that he had been so care- 
 less as to offend unintentionally, and he stopped her 
 with upraised hand and said in his most pacific voice : 
 "My dear Miss Burton, this is all a mistake, and I am 
 sorry. I did not intend to capture you, believe me, 
 and I shall discharge those stupid keepers, as soon as 
 I am through with them. The fact is that, uh that 
 there have been many attempts lately to steal to steal 
 my nephew's bulldog, and this fence was one of his 
 whims. But I am convinced that you would never 
 think of stealing a bulldog, and I shall give orders 
 that in the future you are given the entire freedom 
 of my grounds." 
 
 "Oh, no," answered Miss Burton, giving her head 
 a patrician toss, "you may wish to drop it, but I 
 assure you " 
 
 "Now don't bother to thank me," interjected Ban- 
 nington. "It was all a mistake in the first place. You 
 may walk on my grounds as much as you please, you 
 may knock boards off the fence ; or better still, I'll have 
 gates cut through. No, hang it, I'll have the fence 
 pulled down. Now, Higgins, conduct Miss Burton 
 to the door. Or perhaps you had better see her home. 
 It is quite dark. Madam, I wish you good evening."
 
 1 62 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Miss Burton cast a scornful glance at Richard Ban- 
 nington, a disdainful one at the humble Higgins, a 
 resentful, but still a partially triumphant one at the 
 two guards who were still standing awkwardly at the 
 door, and with very erect carriage she followed Hig- 
 gins to the front door where she curtly refused his 
 further services. 
 
 Bannington wiped his brow. "Good heavens," he 
 muttered. "I saw that woman at Burton's a month or so 
 ago, but I thought her the housekeeper. Well, Dick 
 has won this deal, all right." 
 
 He suddenly remembered the guards who were 
 beginning to fidget. "Don't bring any one else to me," 
 he said decisively. "Did you find that stone building 
 I told you of?" 
 
 The guards nodded and Bannington continued, "If 
 you catch any one else, shut them up in that, and in the 
 morning take them over to Squire Newton's the 
 stableman will tell you where it is and I'll telephone 
 him what I want done with them. That's all." 
 
 When the old man was left alone again he kicked his 
 chair around until it faced the fireplace, and, as was 
 his custom, proceeded to talk to himself in a gruff 
 undertone. "I shall never read another novel," was 
 his first utterance. "I suppose it must be twenty years 
 now since Thompson told me I ought to read novels 
 to take my mind off business and give me a chance to 
 rest. I must have read a thousand of the fool things 
 this is the last time that Thompson doctors me ! The 
 very moment any opposition is put between two people 
 of the opposite sex, in a novel, they immediately fall in
 
 UNCLE RICHARD COLLIDES 163 
 
 love and get married if they have to go up in a bal- 
 loon to do it. Suppose Dick had fallen in love with 
 Miss Burton!" 
 
 Bannington paused and began to grin. At first the 
 grin was hesitating and diffident, but as he thought 
 back over the interview, muscle after muscle in his 
 grim face relaxed, and when he finally began to 
 chuckle, the similarity between his own and his neph- 
 ew's face was very marked indeed. "The girl has her 
 father's grit all right, but she's too overbearing, too 
 overbearing. I don't see where she ever got such an 
 air. Higgins, Higgins !" 
 
 The butler entered promptly, but Bannington was 
 now under the sway of a new desire, and he said petu- 
 lantly: "Higgins, I don't see why you can never be 
 where I want you. I have had to call you a dozen times 
 every time I have wanted you to-day, and that fool doc- 
 tor says I must have quiet. Help me into my office. It 
 is time already for my private secretary to be here. The 
 minute I get a little out of repair, everybody in the 
 world keeps me waiting; but I'm getting better, at that. 
 Now be careful, be careful." 
 
 When they reached the office, Bannington sank into 
 his chair with a throaty sigh, and said: "The very 
 minute Lorrimer arrives, send him in do you hear?" 
 
 The butler withdrew and the old man stretched his 
 arms and reclined more heavily in his easy chair. The 
 lids drooped over his eyes and his face relaxed. He 
 was alone now, there was no need for pretense of any 
 kind, and as his mind wandered where it would, a 
 smile, tinged with sadness and longing, but still a smile,
 
 1 64 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 took all the grimness out of his face and made it one 
 that baby hands would have loved to pat. Some day, 
 these cold "business faces" of ours will be as obsolete 
 as the steel armor of our ancestors; some day, giving 
 will be considered more manly than grabbing, but in 
 the meantime, let us fight as best we may until the 
 fight be done.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 LORRAIN SCATTERS TACKS 
 
 E'RRAIN was moody that evening and his patience 
 refused to stand the strain when Emil and Ivan 
 took opposing sides on the question whether the legal 
 execution of rebels by tyrants or the illegal execution 
 of tyrants by rebels, had done the more to advance the 
 cause of freedom. As they warmed to their work and 
 the history of the human race was being sifted in 
 search of facts to support one side or the other, Lorrain 
 pushed back his chair impatiently and strolled aim- 
 lessly into the library just as Bannington and Higgins 
 turned into the hallway which led to the office. 
 
 He walked over to the window and stood looking out 
 with his hands thrust into his pockets and his brows 
 drawn together. In his trips to New York, Lorrain 
 had not visited the socialists. Instead he had hunted 
 up some influential acquaintances whom he had met 
 abroad, and they had procured him the privileges of 
 several clubs. Lorrain proved himself an exception to 
 the typical foreigner of title by cultivating the society 
 of men instead of women; and it must be confessed 
 that he had the faculty of making men like him without 
 appearing to put forth any efforts in that direction. 
 
 165
 
 1 66 THE STEERING WHEEE 
 
 His friends invariably introduced him as Count Lor- 
 rain ; he invariably protested that he had given up his 
 title and preferred to dispense entirely with its use. 
 His protests were made with frank sincerity. 
 
 He spent his money freely but wisely, was able to 
 discuss any subject, and had plenty of European gos- 
 sip to offer in exchange for the home product. But 
 his supply of money had been very limited and already 
 he was in debt to several of his new friends. The 
 amounts were small and for that very reason he wanted 
 to be in a position to pay on the faintest hint. He had 
 expected no difficulty in securing an ample loan from 
 Dick, but that individual seemed to have pressing af- 
 fairs of his own and Lorrain was vexed at the awk- 
 wardness of his situation. 
 
 He heard a slight noise at the library door, and 
 turning saw a young man with a cornet case in his 
 hand. The two eyed each other critically without 
 speaking. There was a marked resemblance between 
 them, although the new-comer was younger and 
 smooth-shaven. His face denoted evident displeasure 
 at the meeting, while Lorrain's face indicated a certain 
 low satisfaction. 
 
 "I thought that you had moved to New York," said 
 the man with the cornet case, who was Edward Lor- 
 rimer, Richard Bannington's private secretary. 
 
 "I returned this afternoon," replied Lorrain. "You 
 do not seem rejoiced to see your brother after our 
 long separation." 
 
 "I never wanted to see you again," said Lorrimer 
 bitterly. "When I found that you had come to this
 
 LORRAIN SCATTERS TACKS 167 
 
 country, I at first thought it was to make restitution ; 
 but after noting your actions, I find that you are still 
 the same." 
 
 "Still the same still in need of money," admitted 
 Lorrain without embarrassment. "You appear to be 
 prosperous may I look to you for a little temporary 
 relief?" 
 
 "Now, see here, Claude," said Lorrimer soberly, "I 
 am not at all wealthy. I have worked hard and I have 
 paid back the money which you got through forgery, 
 but I" 
 
 Lorrain raised his hand. "I perfectly comprehend," 
 he said. "It is not necessary to parade the family 
 skeleton for it is a family skeleton, you know. I 
 prefer not to refer to the past at all ; the present is un- 
 pleasant enough as it is. I am seriously in debt and 
 young Bannington claims that he can not relieve my 
 embarrassment." 
 
 "Gambling?" asked Lorrimer. 
 
 "Yes the American form margins. I found it 
 necessary in order to stand in with a certain influential 
 clique." 
 
 "How much?" asked Lorrimer shortly. 
 
 Lorrain slowly took a cigarette from his case, as he 
 estimated the amount which his brother should have 
 accumulated during his residence in the country where 
 fortunes were often made in a week. There was a 
 keenness to his brother's face, a composed confidence 
 which resembled the expressions of the successful busi- 
 ness men he had met. 
 
 "Nearly ten thousand dollars, all told," he ventured.
 
 1 68 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "It is out of the question," said Lorrimer decisively. 
 "I am not rich." 
 
 "I see you as a guest in this house," argued Lorrain. 
 "I am sure you are not a friend of Dick's. Why should 
 a poor man come to see the head of the Bannington 
 Steel Plant?" 
 
 "I am in his employ," said Lorrimer. 
 
 "What! A common workman?" 
 
 "No, his private secretary," answered Lorrimer, a 
 slight smile curving his lips. 
 
 "That is better," admitted Lorrain complacently. 
 "I could not bear to think of a Lorrain descending to 
 common labor. Does not your position pay well?" 
 
 "The salary is fair, but it is chiefly valuable as a 
 stepping-stone. I have studied the business closely, 
 have been of service to the firm, and as soon as I can 
 buy a little more stock, I am to be made a director." 
 
 "This proves you to be in the confidence of the man- 
 agement. There is surely some way in which you 
 can help me." Lorrain's tone was ingratiating. 
 
 "I know of none, and I must leave you now. Mr. 
 Bannington is waiting for me and he insists on punctu- 
 ality," replied Lorrimer coldly. 
 
 "Oh, he can wait a few minutes. I am in really a 
 desperate fix, and you will have to assist me." 
 
 "Have to ?" questioned Lorrimer, his eyes narrowing 
 a little. 
 
 "Yes, have to," answered Lorrain, lowering his voice 
 and speaking slowly. "You must not forget that you 
 took the blame on your own shoulders and that it rests
 
 LORRAIN SCATTERS TACKS 169 
 
 there yet. Would the old man desire a director who had 
 confessed to forgery in France?" 
 
 It was an old, old situation, trite in fiction, hackneyed 
 on the stage, and yet, in spite of its having hung over 
 him for years, it suddenly took living shape before 
 Lorrimer's eyes. For a moment his mouth weakened, 
 and then it once more hardened into its habitual calm 
 determination, typical of the modern man of business. 
 
 "You were the favorite," he stated in matter-of-fact 
 tones. "I took the blame to temper the blow as much 
 as possible to our father. I think that Mr. Banning- 
 ton would believe me and understand. As neither of 
 our parents is now living, there is no longer any induce- 
 ment for me to retain my false position and if you 
 make any disclosures, you alone would be the loser. 
 You would lose even the false title you wear." 
 
 Lorrain appeared perfectly at ease. "It is not a 
 question of choice with me," he said. "If I don't get 
 the money, I go under anyway. It is entirely up to 
 you." 
 
 "I can not wait longer," said Lorrimer. "Here is 
 my address; you may call and see me any evening." 
 
 "Don't forget that I must have part of the money 
 by day after to-morrow," said Lorrain as his brother 
 started to leave the room. Lorrimer made no sign, 
 and after following him to the door, Lorrain turned 
 and walked back to the window. "I still have a lever- 
 age on him," he muttered, "and if he does not give in 
 gracefully, I shall squeeze." 
 
 Again he turned from the window, and again he
 
 1 70 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 found himself face to face with his brother. For the 
 first time he noted the cornet case. "Since when did 
 you become a musician?" he asked. 
 
 Lorrinier glanced down at the case, but paid no atten- 
 tion to the question. "I would help you if I could," he 
 said, "but I can not. I am willing to give you enough to 
 leave the country, but as for advancing ten thousand 
 dollars it is out of the question." 
 
 The cornet case had given Lorrain an idea. He felt 
 sure that no musical instrument was inside, but that 
 the case was used to carry important papers without 
 attracting attention. "I do not want to cause you 
 trouble," he said candidly, "but I must have money. I 
 have overheard the old man talking to Dick, and I 
 know there is some kind of a big deal on. Give me a 
 straight, inside tip, and I'll find some way to turn it 
 into money." 
 
 Lorrimer clenched his hand fiercely. "You may as 
 well drop that," he said sternly. "I took blame for 
 your forgery, but while this has ruined my reputation 
 in France, it has not ruined my sense of honor. I shall 
 never reveal a single secret." 
 
 "It would be much the easiest way," said Lorrain 
 with irritating composure. "I don't want to be forced 
 to resort to extreme measures, but you can help me if 
 you will and I intend that you shall." 
 
 "You may do whatever you please," answered Lor- 
 rimer firmly. "I wash my hands of you." 
 
 He left the room abruptly and Lorrain seated him- 
 self at the center-table. For a while he sat with a 
 thoughtful frown on his brow, and then with a pleased
 
 LORRAIN SCATTERS TACKS 171 
 
 smile he sprang to his feet and crossing the hall, he 
 left the house by the side door. Soon after this a low 
 whistle floated out from a clump of bushes in which 
 rested a bench..
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 DICK STEERS : CUPID PICKS THE PATH 
 
 T T had been a busy day for Dick and Mulligan. He 
 -*- had come out from New York on the train that 
 reached Minster at seven o'clock, and had hastened to 
 the oak-tree post-office at the far end of the park before 
 entering the house. He found two little missives for 
 each day that he had been away and as he was care- 
 ful to read them in exactly the order in which they 
 were sent, and was quick to note their progressive fer- 
 vor, a strange buoyancy filled his bosom as though his 
 soul were dancing for joy. Well, probably it was. 
 
 Their affair had progressed amazingly, although 
 kept strictly within the boy and girl limits which they 
 had originally set ; and the one time that he had kissed 
 her, she had refused to be mollified until he had pro- 
 duced a half-dozen standard child-stories to prove 
 that this was an incident, strictly consistent with the 
 game they were playing. Even then she had refused 
 to permit a repetition, in spite of his convincing argu- 
 ments that this bit of realism was positively necessary 
 to give class to their purely histrionic production. 
 
 She had proved to be a rather exacting young lady, 
 refusing to step foot on the Bannington grounds, even 
 though the tangled seclusion was greatly preferable 
 to the possible publicity of the country road where 
 
 172
 
 CUPID PICKS THE PATH 173 
 
 be had met her while riding Roland. Furthermore, 
 she would not speak to him during the day, but insisted 
 on using the oak tree and written communications. And 
 this was carrying things to extremes because she had 
 caused a small pavilion to be erected in the corner of 
 the Burton grounds so close to the oak tree that she 
 could write her missives in the pavilion and mail them 
 without leaving it. Dick was getting his first personal 
 experience of feminine unreason. 
 
 This pavilion had been erected to mislead the young 
 lady's aunt, who was inclined toward catechizing and 
 who demanded ample reasons for any change of rou- 
 tine. A book and a note-book seemed ample excuse 
 for a maiden seeking the privacy of a pavilion, and 
 Bayard, the collie, lent dignity and safety to the situa- 
 tion. Not that lying on a rug and waiting for some- 
 thing to happen was a career which Bayard would have 
 selected had his choice been a free one. Humans are 
 a straining trial to an intelligent and discriminating 
 dog. 
 
 Strange as it may seem to those who have not ob- 
 served closely, or who have forgotten, Dick and the 
 girl scarcely touched on family affairs. While to- 
 gether, they had even forgotten that they had any. Of 
 course it is undeniable that scientific mating, which 
 would take into account inherited tendencies, would 
 greatly improve the human, as it has already many of 
 the brute species, but, unfortunately, most marriages 
 are arranged by impulsive young things who forget 
 that there are more than two members of the human 
 race, and what is even more disastrous, entirely over-
 
 174 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 look the possibility of the membership ever being in- 
 creased. 
 
 After Dick had read, re-read, and read over the 
 notes, he scribbled a hasty answer which pleaded elo- 
 quently for a prompt interview, and then he hastened 
 in to breakfast. As soon as this was finished, he and 
 Mulligan hurried back to the oak tree. It was still 
 early and no answer was waiting. This so wrought* on 
 Dick's nerves that he tore through the underbrush, 
 filling Mulligan with expectancy and causing the keep- 
 ers endless annoyance. When at last they caught up 
 with Dick, he made it perfectly clear that there was an 
 incompatibility between himself and them which no 
 amount of attention could bridge, and after they had 
 acted on Dick's suggestion and had gone to guard the 
 part of the park closest to the Staunton place, Dick 
 returned to the woodsy post-office with the disap- 
 pointed Mulligan, and was elated to find an answer 
 waiting him. 
 
 He had not gone to the trouble of erecting a pavilion 
 on his side of the fence. A tree with a leaning trunk, 
 a small grassy bank, and a tangle of larch and wild 
 grapevine furnished all the comforts and seclusion 
 which he demanded ; and until it was time for him to 
 attend the luncheon with the labor leaders and the 
 labor stragglers, a constant succession of notes passed 
 in and out of the hollow oak. Occasionally a strong 
 brown hand met a slender one, but the owner of the 
 slender hand resisted pressure, even though she did 
 not entirely flee its temptation, and when Dick was 
 at last forced to tear himself away, she still refused
 
 CUPID PICKS THE PATH 175 
 
 to grant him an interview at the exact spot where they 
 had first met. 
 
 Dick was obsessed with this romantic fancy and he 
 was a little exasperated as he ran along the path, ten 
 minutes too late to receive his guests. His last note 
 had been a trifle peremptory, and much of the discus- 
 sion which took place at the luncheon escaped him 
 because his mind kept wondering what effect this last 
 note would have on its recipient. Even during his 
 interview with his uncle, the note and its possible re- 
 sult insisted on claiming as much of his attention as 
 possible. 
 
 As soon as he left his uncle, he straightway forgot 
 him, and with the skeptical, but still hopeful Mulligan 
 at his side, sped back to the hollow oak. He found a 
 note inside. The note had neither beginning nor end- 
 ing. It merely stated : "I shall accede to your wish." 
 
 He read it through many times: it seemed cold, it 
 seemed to hold a veiled menace, and again he con- 
 sidered the contents of his own note. He had merely 
 pointed out that inasmuch as he was leaving home for 
 good, he felt that he had the right to insist on a mat- 
 ter which, while trivial in itself, would mean so much 
 to him during all the rest of his life. 
 
 Perhaps he had been presuming, perhaps even over- 
 bearing ; and he longed for an opportunity to perfect 
 the arrangements, or even free her from her promise if 
 it was as distasteful to her as the tone of her note im- 
 plied, but she was not in the pavilion, and after wait- 
 ing until it began to grow dark, he regretfully left 
 his post and hurried to the bench upon which they had
 
 176 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 sat on that wonderful "first day" which seemed so long 
 ago. 
 
 He threw himself heavily on the bench, thrust his 
 hands into his pockets, dropped his head forward, and 
 began to think. He thought deeply, he thought 
 rapidly, but it must be confessed that the proletariat 
 was as far from his thoughts as was the pterodactyl 
 or the saber-toothed tiger. Mulligan drew nigh and 
 rested a heavy chin on his knee, the while his soft 
 brown eyes sent forth waves of sympathy; but Mulli- 
 gan might as well have been the bench on which his 
 master sat. 
 
 After a few moments spent in waiting the strain 
 became unbearable, and Dick sprang to his feet and 
 hurried cautiously along the path in the direction from 
 which the girl had originally come, the dejected Mul- 
 ligan following doggedly, very doggedly, after. When 
 they reached the point where the path branched into 
 three, Dick stepped into a dense shadow and again 
 waited. Mulligan threw himself on the grass with a 
 guttural sigh. His master was not aware that an 
 opportunity for dinner had been missed; Mulligan 
 was. 
 
 Again the moments spent in inaction tore at his 
 nerves, and soon Dick was walking swiftly, but cau- 
 tiously, down the path which led toward the Burton 
 place. The moon had risen and threw shadows which 
 played strange tricks with his eyes. He was wearing 
 his rough tweed suit and puttees, and as he stole 
 along with every sense alert, an odd undercurrent of 
 pleasure flowed through his anxiety. He was so much
 
 CUPID PICKS THE PATH 177 
 
 alive that the body of him rejoiced in spite of his 
 mental state. 
 
 After exploring each of the paths, returning to the 
 bench, and still failing in his quest, a wave of suspicion 
 swept over him. She had fooled him, she had never 
 intended to come, she had merely played with him. 
 Hot anger took possession of him and he started 
 toward the house, but with every step the reaction grew 
 apace, and finally, his faith returning stronger than 
 ever, he paused and was on the point of turning 
 around when he heard an indistinct noise, some dis- 
 tance ahead and a little to the left. 
 
 He stooped and seizing Mulligan by the neck, he 
 whispered hoarsely: "Don't you dare to make a 
 sound." 
 
 Giving the dog a threatening toss, which effectually 
 impressed him with the seriousness of the case, Dick 
 crept cautiously forward. They were close to 9, small 
 but massive stone building in which had been formerly 
 kept a grizzly bear which a misguided friend of his 
 uncle's had sent him when the bear was a roly-poly cub. 
 As the bear was approaching maturity, Dick's faculty 
 for original research resulted in the escape of the bear, 
 and when he was finally recaptured it was considered 
 to the best interest of all concerned that he take up 
 his future residence in the Bronx Zoo. The openings 
 in the den through which the cub had passage to a 
 small steel-barred yard, had been bricked so that the 
 mushrooms which at one time Dick thought he would 
 enjoy cultivating might have suitable darkness; and 
 it was the creaking of the rusty hinges on the door to
 
 1 78 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 this stone building which had attracted Dick's atten- 
 tion. 
 
 He stole cautiously forward and 'from a dense 
 shadow he saw one of the keepers locking the ponder- 
 ous lock, while the other keeper stood near. This 
 aroused Dick's curiosity, but the next moment an 
 emotion was aroused which hardened all his muscles 
 and made him take an involuntary step forward. He 
 distinctly heard the voice of the girl, the one girl, 
 coming from the inside of the den, and pleading for 
 freedom. 
 
 For one brief moment an angry shout rose to 
 Dick's lips, and then he became strangely cool, un- 
 naturally deliberate. The shout did not escape his lips. 
 He seemed to be sitting comfortably in a large office 
 while plan after plan presented itself, argued its cause, 
 was refused, and passed on to give place to the next 
 plan. He must free the girl without disclosing her 
 identity. In order to do this, he must not appear in 
 the case himself until after she had plenty of time to 
 reach her own home. The keepers were Austrians of 
 large size and obstinate tempers : these interesting facts 
 he had learned from Ivan on his return, and he rightly 
 suspected that his abuse of the day keepers had 
 been communicated to those who had the night shift 
 and was not very likely to increase his popularity with 
 them. 
 
 It required some time for all the prompt plans to 
 pass a given point; and in the meantime the keepers 
 had separated and gone in opposite directions. He 
 could not quite decide on future strategy, but there was
 
 CUPID PICKS THE PATH 179 
 
 no question as to the next step : he must reassure the 
 girl. 
 
 There were no windows in the den. Light had 
 formerly been admitted through horizontal slits, six 
 inches wide, but these also had been bricked up. The 
 moonlight, which was now fairly strong, filtered in 
 through the branches and fell on one of these slits, 
 showing where several of the bricks had fallen out; 
 but even if all of them were removed, the opening 
 in the stone would have been too narrow to permit 
 escape. Dick crept up to the door and gave a low call. 
 
 Instantly the noise on the inside which had been 
 a species of dry sobbing ceased, and Dick said : 
 "Hush, it is I." 
 
 "I hate you," came the prompt reply. 
 
 "I don't blame you," responded Dick, after recover- 
 ing from the shock and hesitating long enough to 
 look at things as they were, "but first you must " 
 
 "Why did you lure me here?" demanded the girl. 
 
 "Don't be silly," said Dick indignantly. "I did not 
 lure you here. I do not want you here. I have been 
 hunting all over the park for you. Where on earth 
 have you been ?" 
 
 "Oh, this is terrible !" came the irrelevant response. 
 "Aunty became suspicious and insisted on entertain- 
 ing me most of the afternoon and after dinner. I 
 fairly had to steal away for my usual walk, and then I 
 was between two dilemmas " 
 
 "Make it as short as you can," encouraged Dick. 
 
 "Well, I couldn't leave Bayard at home or they 
 would know something unusual was about to happen,
 
 i8o THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 and I couldn't bring him with me because one of the 
 keepers or Mulligan " 
 
 "What the deuce did you do?" asked Dick, who 
 thoroughly appreciated the impossible situation. 
 
 "I tied him to a fence post in the Staunton pasture," 
 answered the girl. 
 
 "He'll gnaw the rope and go home," said Dick pes- 
 simistically. 
 
 "It was a chain," said the girl, but without en- 
 thusiasm. "I think their cow is in the pasture and if 
 it comes near, Bayard will make a fuss. Then the 
 whole neighborhood will be aroused." 
 
 "I had better get the dog before I rescue you," said 
 Dick. 
 
 "Don't you dare!" cried the girl. "It is perfectly 
 horrid in here. If they find him, they will think he 
 has been stolen maybe." 
 
 "No, they will think that you have been kidnapped," 
 answered Dick, who was still without a plan of his 
 own and therefore refused a ray of hope to penetrate 
 their gloom. 
 
 "Why don't you let me out?" asked the girl. Dick 
 was thinking and the question did not seem of sufficient 
 importance to interrupt his train of thought. "Oh, 
 \vhere are you?" cried the girl. 
 
 "Not so loud," cautioned Dick sternly, "you are not 
 on a golf links !" A plan had flashed into his head and 
 the clouds had lifted. "I must leave you for a while 
 now and you must remain perfectly quiet. It will be 
 all right if you do just what I say." 
 
 "Oh, I shall die, if you leave me alone in here," ob-
 
 CUPID PICKS THE PATH 181 
 
 jected the girl. "It was doing just what you said that 
 brought me here. I knew all the time it was perfectly 
 silly, but you " 
 
 "The past is beyond our control," suggested Dick 
 sagely. "The only way that I can get you out is to 
 take one of my friends into my confidence and then it 
 will be simple." 
 
 "Yes, and then somebody else will know about it," 
 protested the girl. 
 
 "Well, if I stay on the outside, and you on the 
 inside until morning, everybody else will know about 
 it, won't they?" demanded Dick, sinking to logic. 
 
 "I don't want to be left alone," responded the girl. 
 
 "I am going now," said Dick firmly. "It is the only 
 way. I have faith in you. Don't make me lose it." 
 
 "I had faith in you, too," began the girl; but he 
 was gone, running toward the house, almost without 
 caution. Mulligan followed close at heel, hoping that 
 he would eventually get a clue to the protracted in- 
 sanity of his master. 
 
 Upon reaching the house, Dick first procured two 
 pieces of light, fine rope, and then stole cautiously up 
 to the cook's bedroom. He knew it was her evening 
 out, but he especially dreaded a meeting with Gladys. 
 He reached the room in safety, found a light burn- 
 ing, selected a dark, one-piece dress, and stole down 
 the stairs and out the side door again. 
 
 After hiding the dress, he carefully raised himself 
 on the sill, and peered through a dining-room window. 
 Emil, with upraised finger, was enlarging on the 
 effect of Caesar's assassination, while Ivan shook his
 
 1 82 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 head in. negation. With a sigh of relief, Dick dropped 
 to the ground and gave a low whistle. In response to 
 the signal, Ivan came to the window, and Dick beck- 
 oned to him while he kept one finger on his lips. Ivan 
 understood and telling Emil to remember his argument 
 until his return, he hastened to join Dick. 
 
 As he came down the steps Dick placed his hand on 
 his shoulder, and said impressively : "Ivan, I have need 
 of you."
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 IVAN CRAWLS UNDER THE MACHINE 
 
 A GLAD thrill shot through the Russian at the 
 ** words. He noted Dick's suppressed excitement 
 and his heart was glad. At last the hour had come, at 
 last a great blow was to be struck for the cause, and 
 with his whole heart in it, he gave his hand to his 
 friend in a mighty grip. He asked no questions, the 
 fervor of his grasp indicated that he was content to 
 await developments, and would then do his part, let 
 that part be what it might. 
 
 Dick felt this and a new confidence welled up in his 
 breast. He turned toward the spot where he had 
 hidden the dress, and in turning, stumbled against 
 Mulligan, who felt sure that the mysterious disclosure 
 was soon to be made. % "First," said Dick, "we must 
 dispose of the dog." 
 
 Mulligan could not understand and so he offered no 
 objection when Dick opened the cellar door and un- 
 ceremoniously thrust him inside, but when the door 
 was closed between himself and his master he could 
 not restrain a whine of protest. 
 
 "Silence," whispered Dick. "Go down the stairs 
 and go to sleep. Now, come along, Ivan." 
 
 As Ivan caught step with him, after he had picked 
 up the bundle, Dick proceeded to unfold the part which 
 
 183
 
 184 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 his ally was to take. "You must be as silent and care- 
 ful as possible, Ivan," he said. Ivan nodded. "We 
 are to rescue a girl whom my uncle has imprisoned." 
 
 It came as a surprise to the Russian. He was aware 
 that American freedom was largely an ideal, but 
 still, he had never heard of a private individual impris- 
 oning girls, except in the slums, and the situation sur- 
 prised him. "A girl whom your uncle has impris- 
 oned?" he repeated. 
 
 "Yes," replied Dick. "It is necessary to rescue her 
 without disclosing her identity, or letting it be known 
 that I took any part in it." 
 
 "Certainly," responded Ivan. "Is she a socialist ?" 
 
 "Not exactly," answered Dick, "but she will be some 
 time." 
 
 "Then why did he imprison her?" asked Ivan, who 
 was prepared to sacrifice himself gladly for a political 
 outlaw, but who had a deep-seated aversion to the 
 ordinary criminal. 
 
 "Oh, hang it, Ivan, he's a crank, a fanatic. First 
 he's childish and then he's a monstrous old tyrant. He 
 built that heathen fence and hired those pagan guards, 
 and now he has a girl imprisoned, and we're going 
 to rescue her. Now don't talk. I have everything 
 figured out and all you have to do is to assist me. 
 Keep your eyes and ears open for the keepers. I'll 
 do the rest." 
 
 Silently as painted warriors, they stole through the 
 park until they reached the little clearing in which 
 stood the bear den. Here Dick paused and pointing 
 toward it he said : "He's got her in there."
 
 IVAN UNDER THE MACHINE 185 
 
 Ivan folded his arms, shook his head, and remarked : 
 "I have thought it over. I do not approve of it." 
 
 "That's all right," said Dick heartily. "You don't 
 have to. All you have to do is to help." 
 
 "Yes," protested Ivan, "but I do not like to help 
 when I can not approve. It seems all wrong, every- 
 thing. In the first place to build this fence in free ' 
 America seems wrong, in the second place, to go 
 against your uncle seems wrong, in the third place " 
 
 "Look here, Ivan," said Dick, tapping him on the 
 shoulder with a stiff forefinger, "if I have to stand here 
 and listen while you put a numeral to all the wrongs of 
 the present age, I may as well go back and get Emil. 
 He's quicker at figures than you." 
 
 "That is true," admitted Ivan, "but do you not, your- 
 self, wish to be sure that you are right before you " 
 
 "Oh, damn!" ejaculated Dick, too irritated to use 
 care in the selection of his profanity. "This isn't a 
 case like the next revolution something to be done in 
 the indefinite future. This has to be done now." 
 
 "I can not see why he imprisoned her," replied Ivan 
 with anxious sincerity. "She must have done some- 
 thing ; because it is not customary to " 
 
 "Customary," moaned Dick. "Customary! Listen, 
 for any sake, listen : I had a date here with a " 
 
 "A date?" asked the puzzled Ivan. 
 
 "It's slang, you know," explained Dick. "In Arabia 
 they eat dates, in your beloved country they use them 
 to recall the moments at which czars have been blown 
 up; but here at home, they merely signify an engage- 
 ment with an attractive young lady."
 
 1 86 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "You said she was a prisoner." 
 
 "Well, Great Scott, didn't you have to excuse your- 
 self from Russia because you were caught trying to de- 
 prive Siberia of some favorite guest?" 
 
 "That was in a great cause, not merely for a com- 
 mon trespasser." 
 
 "Common trespasser! Well, you have the nerve! 
 Wait until you have seen her. Now, then, I have one 
 of the cook's dresses in this bundle, and I want you to 
 put it on and " 
 
 "Put it on?" cried the astonished Ivan. "Why 
 should I put on the dress of a cook?" 
 
 "Ivan, confound you!" said Dick, who was nearly 
 at the end of his patience. "I shall be glad to give you 
 all the details your heart can wish, to-morrow, but this 
 is the time for action." He let the dress unfold and 
 held it invitingly toward his ally. "Come, now, get 
 into this and then " 
 
 "I refuse," said Ivan stiffly. "I am willing to do all 
 that a friend should, but I refuse to be made ridiculous 
 for no reason. Why must I look like a female cook ?" 
 
 "Don't flatter yourself," returned Dick, "you won't 
 look like her. She'd pull the hair off any one who 
 suggested it. But she is the only one of sufficient size 
 whose dress I could get. Now, hop into it." 
 
 Ivan took the dress gingerly and looked at it intently 
 while his face wrinkled with conflicting emotions. 
 Presently, as though turning his back on a drowning 
 friend, he handed back the dress, saying sadly : "No, 
 I can not. Never in all my life have I hopped into 
 a dress. Even when I escaped from Russia, I came
 
 IVAN UNDER THE MACHINE 187 
 
 dressed as a man. Was it for this I came to America? 
 No, it was for suffering humanity." 
 
 "Oh," Dick swallowed "forget suffering human- 
 ity. Humanity is so hardened to suffering by this time, 
 that it won't mind keeping it up the little time that this 
 is going to take you. I can't bother with you any 
 longer. You insisted on coming, you were wild for 
 the chance, now if you are going to have cold feet, why 
 go on back, and I'll risk my life alone. After I am " 
 
 "I am willing to risk my life anywhere, any time, 
 if it will help the cause, but why must I look like a 
 cook ? My feet are not cold, I am willing, but it seems 
 all foolishness. If you want to practise at making 
 love" 
 
 "Don't go too far with your infernal stupidity!" 
 threatened Dick, and then recalling the nature of the 
 subject before him, resumed frankly: "This is the 
 idea, Ivan. The guards are armed. If they saw 
 two men prowling about they would shoot, but you 
 dress up like a woman, decoy one of them past this old 
 building, I shall hide in the shadow, throw him, tie 
 him up, we'll do the same with the other one, fling 
 them both into the prison, rescue the girl, and there you 
 are. It is strategy." Dick had been illustrating the 
 various steps in pantomime, and he finished with an 
 impressive gesture, but still Ivan was unconvinced. 
 
 "I don't like it," he said. "Why do you not make 
 love in the established form of your country?" 
 
 "Well, you are the Marathon arguer, all right! 
 There is no established form in this country. We are 
 an original people and we each make love in a different
 
 i88 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 manner. And besides," as an inspiration arrived 
 "this is a poor girl, and my uncle insists that I marry a 
 rich one." 
 
 "Then will I help the poor girl," cried Ivan, a glad 
 light springing into his face, "and my friend, I honor 
 you for making love superior to riches." 
 
 "At last," murmured the relieved Dick, thrusting 
 the dress into Ivan's arms. "Now hurry, old sport. No, 
 no, it goes on over your head good! Now belt it 
 down. Say, you make a regular wood nymph. Now, 
 sneak down this path and lure the guard after you. 
 When he passes this building, I'll throw him and you 
 jump on his head and hold him while I tie him." 
 
 "Suppose he chases me the other way?" 
 
 "I don't believe you ever helped a man out of Si- 
 beria," said the disgusted Dick. "I doubt if you could 
 get a canary bird out of a cage. If he comes from the 
 wrong way, hide until he goes by, then cough and run. 
 Cough like a woman, though." 
 
 The dress only reached a little below Ivan's knees, 
 and as he stalked into the woods, striving to maintain 
 as much dignity as possible, Dick was forced to 
 smother a laugh ; but the next moment, he remembered 
 the girl and hurried to the stone building where he gave 
 a low call. The answering call was very plaintive, and 
 Dick was thoroughly in earnest once more. "We'll get 
 you out in a few minutes, fairy princess. Is there any- 
 thing inside you can stand on to look out of that little 
 hole?" he asked cheerily. 
 
 "There isn't a single thing," came the reply in ac- 
 cusing tones. "It is the dreariest place in the world. I
 
 IVAN UNDER THE MACHINE 189 
 
 have only managed to exist by looking at the ray of 
 moonlight which comes in at that hole. Where am I ?" 
 
 "Now, don't worry," answered Dick, with the ex- 
 aggerated confidence with which one soothes a child. 
 "We'll have you out in a jiffy. You are in the bear 
 den." A startled scream came from the inside. "Hush, 
 don't do that. There is no bear there now. I kept a 
 cub when I was a kid. I wish I could see you, 
 princess." 
 
 "I wish I could get out of here," was the rather pro- 
 saic response. 
 
 "Are you sure there is nothing to stand on ?" 
 
 "Of course I am. Can't you get me out at once?" 
 
 "No, we have to hive the two keepers first. What 
 are you sitting on ?" 
 
 "I'm not sitting at all. There is nothing in here to 
 sit on." 
 
 "What ! Does my heartless uncle expect his captives 
 to stand up all night in the dark ? He's a regular vil- 
 lain ! Never mind, it won't be long now. This is lots of 
 fun anyway, don't you think so?" 
 
 "No, I don't. I think it's horrid." 
 
 "Oh, you'll see the other side after it's all over. 
 This '11 be a good yarn to tell the children when you're , 
 a gray-haired grandmother, won't it?" chuckled Dick, 
 whose wayward fancy had gone far afield. He waited 
 in vain for an answer, and then said : "Can't you hear 
 what I say?" 
 
 "I can hear part of it ; but why don't you do some- 
 thing to get me out ? I " 
 
 "Hush," cautioned Dick, "some one is coming up
 
 190 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the path. Now keep quiet, and be ready to obey or- 
 ders." 
 
 He dropped behind some bushes which clustered 
 about the corner of the den, and carefully leaned for- 
 ward until his view commanded the path. The figure 
 which he had seen dimly at some distance, had passed 
 through the open space and was now in the dense 
 shadow. As it drew closer, he saw that it was dressed 
 as a woman, but was walking without caution. As it 
 drew near to the den, Dick sprang out angrily, demand- 
 ing : "What the deuce did you come back for ? I told 
 you" 
 
 Dick paused in astonishment, it was not Ivan, it was 
 Miss Burton. "That will do," she replied with dignity. 
 "You call yourself the Inspector of Grounds but I 
 have" 
 
 "I beg your pardon for being so abrupt," said Dick, 
 "but I never expected to see you here at this time of 
 night. Still my orders are explicit, and you must leave 
 at once or " 
 
 "That will do," repeated Miss Burton sternly. "I do 
 not permit impertinence from a hireling. Your master 
 has given me permission to come here as much as I 
 please." 
 
 "He has, huh?" questioned Dick. 
 
 "Certainly. If you doubt my word, call your under- 
 lings, who took me before him early this very evening. 
 Have you seen the young girl who was walking here 
 with her dog on the occasion when " 
 
 "Yes that is, no, but I expect to. I mean I hope 
 I shall not, but if I do "
 
 IVAN UNDER THE MACHINE 191 
 
 "It is evident that you are trying to tell an untruth. 
 Something has happened to her and if any of this 
 household are responsible for it, the law in its most 
 retributive form shall be used on them." 
 
 "I sympathize with you," said Dick, who wished her 
 at the bottom of the Red Sea, "but I can not help you. 
 You must leave at once, or I shall lock you up in this 
 building. I am sorry, but these are my orders." 
 
 Miss Burton stepped back and looked at him. His 
 face was firm in the moonlight, but still it was not a 
 naturally hard face and she concluded to make an ap- 
 peal. "You have a good face," she said frankly, "and 
 I am sure that some misfortune has forced you to ac- 
 cept such a mean position. I am going to throw myself 
 on your mercy, and if you have any kindly feelings left 
 for your own mother or sister, I am sure that you will 
 not betray my confidence. This young girl is under my 
 care, she is wayward and headstrong, but until lately 
 she has been perfectly docile." The girl inside stamped 
 her foot at the word docile. She did not care for ad- 
 jectives usually applied to the domestic animals. "But 
 lately, she has been acting strangely, and to-night she 
 went for a walk against my will. Her mother is not 
 living and if her father, who is a stern and exacting 
 man were to " 
 
 "Yes, but perhaps she is home already. Why don't 
 you return and search your own grounds ?" asked Dick, 
 who expected Ivan and the keeper at any moment and 
 had no plan for dealing with the new complication. 
 
 "I have just come from there. She went up the road, 
 I know that much; but you see if she has come to no
 
 192 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 harm, I should hate to expose what may only be a 
 slight indiscretion on her part ; while at the same time 
 I am haunted by all these black-hand stories in the 
 newspapers and feel that perhaps I should telegraph 
 her father. You see " 
 
 "That would be utter folly," said Dick sweepingly. 
 "She is all right, she has probably " 
 
 "You know absolutely nothing about it, and there- 
 fore" 
 
 "Yes, I do know something about it," said Dick 
 sharply. He was becoming desperate and had decided 
 to change his tactics. "She and that shepherd dog did 
 come on these grounds a while ago. I set my bulldog 
 on them and they ran through the hedge on to the 
 Staunton place." 
 
 "You told me your dog would not bite a human be- 
 ing. I prayed for fifteen minutes before I gained the 
 strength to come here in the dark, and it was what you 
 said that finally convinced me that if I did my duty, 
 I should come to no harm. Building that horrible 
 fence has aroused her resentment and I fear that the 
 spirit of mischief or adventure or " 
 
 "The dog wouldn't attack a human being unless I 
 set him on," said Dick; but as an expression of relief 
 came into Miss Burton's face, he hastened to say : "but 
 he was bitten by a shepherd dog a few days ago, and 
 I fear he is going mad." 
 
 For a moment Miss Burton faced him with staring 
 eyes and then she took a step toward him. "Good 
 heavens, there is no knowing what may have happened 
 to that poor child!" she exclaimed. "You must help
 
 IVAN UNDER THE MACHINE 193 
 
 me find her. You must save her. It is your fault. 
 You" 
 
 Dick folded his arms and put on an utterly reckless 
 expression. "It is not my fault," he said coldly. "I 
 am under orders. Whatever happens 
 
 Miss Burton put her hand pleadingly on his arm. 
 "Oh, you can't be so cruel," she said. "Think" 
 
 "Listen!" cried Dick, casting her roughly off and 
 putting his hand to his ear. "One of the keepers just 
 fired. It may have been at the dog. If he should come 
 this way, I can't be bothered with you. It may have 
 been only another trespasser" he threw in for good 
 measure "but I think it was the dog. Now a mad dog 
 will not go near water, you know. You run down this 
 path toward the house. There is a fountain in front 
 of the house. Run around the house and out the front 
 gate. Hurry!" 
 
 He started with her, gave her a gentle shove after 
 she had fairly entered the path, and as he watched her 
 running nervously in the direction of the house, he 
 gave a long sigh of relief. 
 
 Pulling himself together, he returned to the den and 
 called : "Did you hear what we said, fairy princess ?" 
 
 "Don't call me fairy princess any more," answered 
 a tearful voice. "I feel perfectly hopeless. We can 
 never straighten out this terrible tangle now and it is 
 all your fault." 
 
 "If you think there is any danger of your forgetting 
 that part of it, I shall write it on a leaf of my note- 
 book and throw it in to you," said Dick dryly- "You 
 may imagine that I planned just such an evening as
 
 194 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 this; but I assure you that your enjoyment is only a 
 very slight shade less than my own." 
 
 "Why don't you get me out?" she asked. 
 
 "You have to set up the pins before you can knock 
 them down," answered Dick. 
 
 "I don't know what you mean; but I want to get 
 home before word is sent to my father. I know my 
 hair is turning gray." 
 
 "Hush," cautioned Dick again. "I think it is all 
 right this time. Now, not a word." 
 
 He dropped into the shadow behind the clump of 
 trees, and fastened his gaze upon the path. He saw 
 two figures approaching, one of them wearing a dress, 
 and a few feet in advance of the other but walking very 
 slowly. Just before entering the small glade, they 
 paused in the heavy shadow and seemed to be em- 
 bracing. 
 
 "He must be crazy," muttered Dick.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 CLASHES AND CRASHES 
 
 ~*HE count was not a nice man. He was extremely 
 -* careless as to methods, and he was so supremely 
 selfish that unpleasant results to others were of no 
 importance. When he wanted his own way, he endeav- 
 ored to get it and used whatever tools were most avail- 
 able. 
 
 When Gladys had answered his signal earlier in the 
 evening, he had kissed her, very daintily; and had 
 instructed her to find out as much as possible of the 
 conversation which was taking place between Mr. Ban- 
 nington and his private secretary, promising to go 
 deeper into the love motif as soon as she delivered her 
 report. Gladys did not crave such a commission; but 
 she was fascinated by Lorrain's manner his haughty 
 disdain interspersed with an occasional caress and 
 even his selfishness seemed the seal of his noble origin. 
 
 So she had played the eavesdropper for him (as she 
 had often done in a less degree for her own entertain- 
 ment), and when she had brought him her report, he 
 had so far condescended as to take a short walk in the 
 park with her. He did not do this as payment for serv- 
 ice. Not at all; he never wasted his favors. He did 
 this to prepare for the possibility of needing her serv- 
 ices at some future time. He deserved to be a count 
 
 195
 
 196 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 even though his line did happen to be the wrong branch" 
 of the family. 
 
 Gladys had a good head for styles, but a poor one 
 for figures; and her information was almost too ab- 
 stract to be valuable. She could merely tell him that 
 there was a large government contract for steel to be 
 used on the Panama construction, steel for three new 
 battle-ships, and steel for all the different railroads in 
 the world, she admitted after some questioning that the 
 railroads had been enumerated, but could not recall 
 them. She said that the amount of the Panama con- 
 tract was to be exactly two million, three hundred and 
 sixty-five thousand dollars. She was sure of the fig- 
 ures because they were the same as those of the tele- 
 phone number of her best friend in New York. Lor- 
 rain had chided her for not being sure of the amount 
 of the battle-ship contracts, or even if they were gov- 
 ernment contracts; but still he was elated and recipro- 
 cated by being unusually affectionate. 
 
 Poor Lorrain was artistic and he detested making 
 love to a common creature. Gladys wore on him ter- 
 ribly, and he was trying to induce her to return home ; 
 while she was trying to induce him to "speak some 
 more poetry, it went so well with the moonlight." 
 
 As they lingered in the shadow, Dick was consumed 
 with a desire to rush forth and wring Ivan's neck, for 
 he still thought that Gladys was his ally, but at last 
 the figure wearing the dress came rapidly toward where 
 he was hiding, while the man followed after. As he 
 passed close to Dick, Dick tackled him savagely. Lor- 
 rain uttered a startled imprecation, and Dick rolled off
 
 197 
 
 and dove into the bushes, hoping that he had not been 
 recognized. For the same reason, Lorrain sprang to 
 his feet and ran toward the house. 
 
 Dick leaned against a tree. "Lorrain and Gladys, 
 Great Scott!" he exclaimed beneath his breath. "Oh, 
 this is only a dream. Nothing like this could really 
 happen. I suppose my respected uncle and the cook 
 will next appear!" 
 
 He walked over to the den, wondering as to the fate 
 of Ivan, and deciding that if he did not appear shortly 
 he would go and get Emil. "But if I leave here and 
 he comes back and is captured with that dress on, he'll 
 commit murder," he said, stopping short and throwing 
 out his arm as though inviting controversy. "But," he 
 added, "if I delay much longer, Miss Burton will reach 
 home and call out the militia." 
 
 He composed himself with an effort and approached 
 the den. "Did you hear a scuffle?" he called. 
 
 "Yes, I did ; and I can't stand this another minute. 
 If you do not get me out at once, I shall go hysterical 
 and scream, or else I shall faint." 
 
 "No, no, you mustn't!" cried Dick in alarm. "It 
 would spoil everything. If you are calm enough to 
 make choice between two such perfectly silly perform- 
 ances, I don't see why you can't cut them both out 
 altogether." 
 
 "Of course you can't see!" angrily, "you're a man, 
 and a man can never see anything except something to 
 eat or drink. What kind of nerves do you think I 
 have? Here I am, locked up in a bear den, my family 
 searching the neighborhood for me, and I just heard
 
 198 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 you fighting with some one. Who was he? Did you 
 injure him?" 
 
 "You poor little thing," comforted Dick. "I don't 
 blame you a bit. It was only a fool boy flirting with 
 the maid. No, I did not injure him. Merely fright- 
 ened him. I never injure a man unless it is absolutely 
 necessary." 
 
 "Will you please tell me why you do not try to get 
 me out? It must be nearly morning." 
 
 "It isn't nine o'clock. I thought it was late, myself; 
 until I heard the clock strike down in Minster." 
 
 "What did it strike?" 
 
 "It struck one, for half-past eight," answered Dick 
 promptly. 
 
 "Or half past anything else, or really one, and I am 
 sure it will strike two next. Why don't you do some- 
 thing?" 
 
 "I have done a lot of things. You're unreasonable," 
 replied Dick. "I have laid plans which would make 
 Napoleon green with envy, and in a few minutes I 
 shall Hist! I think it is about to happen." 
 
 Dick dropped into his shadow, and the next instant 
 Ivan burst from the path, running high and holding his 
 skirts nearly to his waist. Close behind him was the 
 smaller keeper, running low, and gaining at every step. 
 Just as he was passing Dick, he reached forth to seize 
 his quarry, Dick tackled as four years' coaching had 
 taught him how, shut the keeper's knees together as 
 with a vise ; and the next moment they were struggling 
 on the ground, Dick uppermost, and the keeper breath- 
 less from shock, mental and physical. Ivan tried to
 
 CLASHES AND CRASHES 199 
 
 assist, became tangled in his skirts, and fell in a heap 
 on the keeper's head, which had a tendency further to 
 delay the man's recovery. As soon as Ivan had seized 
 the keeper's wrists, Dick took one of the ropes and 
 bound him securely. 
 
 "Where- is the key to this building?" he asked in a 
 gruff, muffled voice. 
 
 "I haff id nod," answered the Austrian thickly. 
 
 "Where is it?" demanded Dick. 
 
 "Te other keeper haff id," growled the man. 
 
 "Just for that, Willie, youse gits a gag in your 
 mouth," said Dick, suiting the action to the word. 
 "Now, Belinda, just a little lift on the feet." Ivan 
 sulkily lifted the feet of the tightly bound man, and 
 after they had carried him a short distance into the 
 bushes and had started to return, Dick threw his arm 
 about his friend's shoulder, and exclaimed : "'Gee, old 
 sport, I haven't had so much fun since I sophomored 
 the freshmen." 
 
 Ivan made no reply, but started to remove his dis- 
 guise. Dick, who had failed to notice this, continued 
 after a moment's pleasant recollection: "Now, Ivan, 
 just pike out in the other direction and trail the re- 
 maining sleuth to his doom. He ought to be heading 
 this way by now, if they have any plan to work by at 
 all." 
 
 Ivan sat down on the grass, elbows on knees, chin 
 in hands. "I go not forth again," he stated. "I was 
 taken by surprise and twice was I nearly captured. 
 See my robe is ripped crossways and also up and 
 down."
 
 200 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "What do you care ?" argued Dick. "It don't belong 
 to you." 
 
 "I care not for the robe !" returned Ivan angrily. "I 
 say damn to the robe ! But think of my shame if found 
 in the garb of a woman of a cook." 
 
 "That is true, Ivan," said Dick in a low sad tone, 
 affecting to give up all hope. "I do not ask you to risk 
 yourself further and I fully appreciate the noble sacri- 
 fice you have already made. I should never have asked 
 you in the first place if I could have seen any other 
 way. No, not even in the holy cause of friendship, 
 would I have asked you; but it was to save the good 
 name of an unfortunate girl whose only crime is pov- 
 erty and " 
 
 "I shall do it, no matter what happens !" cried Ivan, 
 springing to his feet. 
 
 "Nobly spoken," said Dick, lifting his hat rever- 
 ently. "Ivan, you are a true hero, you have conquered 
 yourself. He who conquers himself is I've forgot- 
 ten the rest, but it just fits the occasion. Now, while 
 you are recovering your breath, I have one small favor 
 to ask of you. This poor girl inside is nearly distracted. 
 It would comfort her a lot if she could hold my hand, 
 just for a minute. You see how high that small open- 
 ing is. Would you mind kneeling under it for a sec- 
 ond; while I stand on your back and reach my arm 
 through ?" 
 
 "This is too much! I have stooped to become a 
 woman for you; but I refuse to put myself beneath the 
 heel of any man." 
 
 "As a figure of speech, this phrase has a most hu-
 
 CLASHES AND CRASHES 201 
 
 miliating significance ; but literally, there is nothing to 
 it. I have myself been beneath the heels of eleven men 
 at the same time, and they were applied with emphasis, 
 and not with the loving care that I shall use or I'll 
 stand on my toes, just to please you." 
 
 "There is no sense in it. Think of it me in a wom- 
 an's garb, beneath the heel of a man!" 
 
 "Great guns, you have told me a hundred times that 
 for countless generations your line has been ground 
 beneath the heel of tyranny. Look what grand training 
 this was ; and anyway, there is nothing in this to wound 
 your dignity. I would gladly kneel and let you stand 
 on me and put your hand in; but it wouldn't answer 
 the purpose. Even in the dark, hands are purely indi- 
 vidualistic and she wouldn't get any comfort out of 
 your hand. Haven't you ever been in love ?" 
 
 "No, I have never stooped to selfish love. My love 
 is for the entire human race." 
 
 "This is the age of specialists, Ivan, and if you 
 would concentrate your love on just one woman, it 
 would pay a heap sight bigger dividends. But this is 
 only a bit of sentiment, and I shall not urge you. You 
 have already proven your friendship. Go and decoy 
 the other " 
 
 "I have put my hand to the plow," sighed Ivan, "an 
 extra furrow will not matter." 
 
 Holding his skirt bunched in front of him, Ivan 
 stalked to the den and, as though preparing for the 
 guillotine, knelt beneath the opening. "I am ready," 
 he said bravely. 
 
 Dick had been forced to bite his lips at Ivan's prep-
 
 202 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 arations ; but as the fullness of his sacrifice came over 
 him, he patted Ivan on the head and said with sincere 
 feeling: "I'll square up for this, old boy, if we both 
 get out alive." 
 
 He placed one foot gently on Ivan's shoulder and 
 the other on his hips, and reached his hand through the 
 opening. "Can you reach my hand, dearie?" he asked. 
 
 A few hours earlier the girl would have vehemently 
 denied having the slightest desire to hold his hand; 
 but great changes had taken place during her brief 
 term of imprisonment, and Dick was playing a much 
 larger trump than he was aware of. "Yes," she an- 
 swered with a little catch in her voice. "Oh, Dick" 
 this was the first time she had ever called him Dick, 
 and yet he did not notice it "Oh, Dick, this is such a 
 comfort. You won't leave me again until you get me 
 out will you?" 
 
 Ivan twisted his neck and looked up anxiously. 
 
 "You know that I never wish to leave you again," 
 answered Dick, and Ivan's expression of anxiety deep- 
 ened ; "but I'll have to let go in a minute to capture the 
 other keeper." 
 
 Ivan's head drooped in relief. 
 
 "You must be careful not to be hurt," cautioned the 
 girl. 
 
 "Don't worry," scoffed Dick. "I can take care of 
 myself. We have one guard safely tied and you will 
 be out again on the next down. I wish you could climb 
 up and look out. It's great sport." 
 
 Ivan was anxious to bring things to a close and be- 
 gan to squirm.
 
 CLASHES AND CRASHES 203 
 
 "Oh, I do want to be out ; but I shall be wretched 
 again as soon as you let go my hand." 
 
 "Do you smoke?" asked Dick. "That's a heap of 
 comfort." 
 
 "Of course I don't," she replied indignantly. 
 
 "Don't get cross about it; I once knew a Sunday- 
 school teacher that did. Here, cut that out !" to Ivan 
 who had begun to jostle up and down. 
 
 "What did ycu say ?" she asked. 
 
 "I shall have to go now sweetheart." The word 
 came falteringly, and Dick waited with apprehension. 
 
 "No, don't go yet," and Dick's heart gave a leap of 
 gladness ; but just then Ivan's patience reached its limit, 
 and he rolled over, leaving Dick suspended by the arm. 
 He gave a last, hasty squeeze, and dropped to the 
 ground. 
 
 Ivan had risen to his feet, and Dick grasped his hand 
 warmly, slapped him on the shoulder, and said dra- 
 matically : "Forth, Ivan, forth to glory !" 
 
 Ivan started forth to glory but it was evident that 
 his armor was composed mostly of resignation. 
 
 "Are you still there ?" asked the girl. 
 
 "You can count on me being here until you are 
 rescued," promised Dick. 
 
 "Can't you find something else to stand on?" was 
 the next question. 
 
 "There isn't a single thing here," he replied; "but 
 keep a stout heart. It will soon be over." 
 
 After a short silence she asked : "Why did you want 
 to see me to-night ?" 
 
 "To say good-by," answered Dick soberly.
 
 204 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Good-by?" 
 
 "Yes, I am going to leave home for good to-night." 
 
 Alaska, Africa, the headwaters of the Amazon, 
 flashed before the girl's vision. "Where are you go- 
 ing?" she asked in a low tone. 
 
 "To New York," he replied somberly. 
 
 "Oh," she responded with a rising inflection. 
 
 "I am going to work," he continued as though work 
 was an adventure which few had undertaken and none 
 survived. 
 
 "Work?" she questioned in amazement. 
 
 "Yes, I shall start in poverty and rise to wealth. I 
 don't mind the work; but I can't bear to leave you. 
 We've had bully times, playing boy and girl, haven't 
 we?" 
 
 The girl was forced to swallow. Even New York 
 seemed a long, long way off, now. "Yes," she an- 
 swered. 
 
 "Well, I, at least, won't forget them," he said. 
 
 She waited a moment and the darkness seemed very 
 empty and the wall very thick. "Dick," she called, 
 "can't you give me a cigar, just to hold for company ?" 
 
 Did he laugh? He did not, he winked his eyes rap- 
 i idly and tossed a cigar at the small opening. At the 
 third attempt it slipped in, and he asked : "Did you get 
 it?" 
 
 "Yes, it fell right at my feet. It is awfully damp in 
 here." 
 
 "Mushrooms need dampness," he replied, with what 
 she considered inexcusable irrelevance; but the next 
 moment, he whispered, "Silence some one is coming."
 
 CLASHES AND CRASHES 205 
 
 He dropped into the shadow and soon the vague out- 
 line of a man approached, walking slowly and hum- 
 ming a foreign air. Dick had dropped so suddenly that 
 the man had passed through the patch of bright moon- 
 light and reentered the heavy shadow before he had 
 time to examine him ; and as he arrived at the proper 
 distance, Dick tackled, threw him to the ground, 
 placed his hand over his mouth, and instantly rose. 
 
 "Great Scott, Emil," he exclaimed, as he helped the 
 prostrate man to rise, "I didn't know it was you. I 
 beg your pardon, old man." 
 
 "Pardon ?" the German exploded. "It is not a cause 
 for pardon. This is nicht a way a guest to treat. For 
 you, I haff always the deepest affection and respect 
 had ; but this, I can not forgive id !" 
 
 "Now, listen, old chap," said Dick soothingly, as he 
 placed his hand on Emil's shoulder. "I don't want you 
 to say anything you'll be sorry for. I am in a peck of 
 trouble, and I took you for an enemy. There is a girl 
 in this, I shall explain all ; but Here get in here and 
 don't breathe until I tell you to." 
 
 He seized Emil without ceremony, jerked him into 
 the clump of bushes and forced him to the grass, just 
 as Ivan crossed the patch of moonlight, taking long 
 walking strides. Immediately after him came the 
 keeper on a run and for the fourth time, Dick made a 
 grand-stand tackle. 
 
 As they rolled on the grass, Emil sprang out to lend 
 his forgiven friend assistance. Ivan, who had turned, 
 saw him, and thinking him one of the opposing force, 
 rushed at him. Emil took Ivan for the "girl in the
 
 206 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 case" and thought she had gone insane. They grappled 
 fiercely and became so engrossed in their private war, 
 that Dick, who had caught a Tartar, nearly lost his 
 campaign. The keeper was large and powerful, and 
 had seized Dick by the throat in a grip which he could 
 not throw off. Dick struggled skilfully, struck his ad- 
 versary in the shprt ribs, and sought to twist himself 
 free; but the gray was turning to black by the time 
 that Ivan recognized Emil, and they rushed to Dick's 
 relief. 
 
 In a trice the man was tied hand and foot, and Dick, 
 finding little difficulty in making his ill-used vocal 
 cords rough and coarse, demanded the key. 
 
 "I trew id avay," growled the man. 
 
 Dick searched him in vain, searched the other man, 
 also without success, put a gag in the mouth of the new 
 captive, dragged him into the bushes close to his com- 
 panion, returned to the den and stood gazing up at the 
 small opening. 
 
 "Now, we are up against it," he said gloomily to his 
 allies.
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 THE MACHINE RUNS OVER IVAN AND EMIL 
 
 IT is probable that no previous statement had ever 
 been made in that group without calling forth an 
 attempt to overthrow it; but this one was received in 
 silent acquiescence. Ivan was absent-mindedly engaged 
 in tucking his frayed skirts into the top of his trousers, 
 and Emil was stroking the beard which twice that 
 evening had revealed his identity. 
 
 As this supine acceptance of their desperate condi- 
 tion became apparent to Dick, he aroused himself and 
 surveyed the den intently. 
 
 "Pshaw, this is an easy one," he remarked after a 
 minute. "There is a trap-door in the roof. Here, give 
 me a boost." 
 
 With their assistance, Dick found no difficulty in 
 clambering to the flat roof, and in a moment, he had 
 the trap-door open. "Are you all ready, princess ?" he 
 called gaily. 
 
 "Goodness, yes," she answered promptly; "but how 
 can I ever get up ?" 
 
 "That's another one," answered Dick, studying a 
 moment. 
 
 He rose, walked to the edge of the roof, and said : 
 "Here, Ivan, you're the taller. Help Emil up." 
 
 207
 
 208 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Emil did not wish to go. His physical proportions 
 denoted strength rather than agility, and he was per- 
 fectly content to remain on solid ground; but Dick 
 had the magnetic gift of stirring another to action be- 
 fore that other had time to form his own will on the 
 subject. In college games and college pranks this gift 
 had been exercised and developed until Dick had 
 formed the habit of speaking as one having authority; 
 and while he was still arguing in his mind the wisdom 
 of the move, Emil found Ivan pushing at him from 
 below, Dick pulling at him from above, and himself 
 climbing to the roof to take an active part in some 
 transaction, of every premise of which he was utterly 
 ignorant. 
 
 Dick escorted him to the open hatchway, and called 
 down cheerily: "Look out below. Now then, Emil, 
 take my hand and I'll lower you." 
 
 "No," said Emil, recovering himself. "I go not into 
 a hole, when I know not what it on the bottom has." 
 
 Dick drew back a pace, placed his arms akimbo, and 
 eyed his friend scornfully. "And so I have nourished a 
 coward in my bosom," he said in hurt surprise. "Do 
 you mean to say that after all Ivan and I have done 
 this night, you are going to flunk and spoil every- 
 thing?" 
 
 "I am not a coward," said Emil. "I do not at any 
 time flunk ; but such a thing as this, it is not the duty 
 of any man to do." 
 
 "Then I would suggest that you get down from the 
 roof at once, return to the library, get a book on sta- 
 tistics, and find out the exact number of brave men who
 
 OVER IVAN AND EMIL 209 
 
 have deserted their comrades in the moment of their 
 peril." 
 
 "I am not deserting my comrades," protested Emil. 
 "I do not wish to. I wish only to remain with them, 
 and not to descend into a hole on to I know not what." 
 
 "Will you kindly inform me why you insisted on 
 coming along?" asked Dick with polite hauteur. 
 
 "I did not insist," earnestly explained the bewildered 
 Emil. "Merely a quiet stroll in the moonlight I was 
 taking, suddenly one whom I thought my friend leaped 
 on me from ambush and hurled me to the ground, 
 while another friend in the guise of a woman, at- 
 tempted to tear out from my face my beard. Then 
 
 "It is unnecessary to give your unabridged biog- 
 raphy," interrupted Dick. "Will you, or will you not 
 assist me?" 
 
 Emil looked into the murk of the den and hesitated. 
 "Yes, I will go," he said, "but I know it will be injury." 
 
 Without waiting for reconsideration, Dick hurried 
 him through the hatch. "Spoken like a man," he said 
 approvingly. "Now clasp hands with me and seize my 
 wrist with your other hand." With his left arm stiffly 
 bracing him, Dick lowered Emil into the gloom as far 
 as he could reach. "Now, let go let go ! It is only a 
 foot to drop. Let go !" 
 
 "I can nothing with my toes feel," cried Emil, whose 
 mental processes were logical, even in moments of 
 stress. "Pull me up again, there may be a pit here or 
 an old well." 
 
 "If I pull you up again, it will be to bite your nose," 
 said Dick angrily. "Let go! Do you think I'm a der-
 
 210 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 rick?" Emil dropped, and Dick asked kindly. "Did 
 you land all right ?" 
 
 "Yes," replied Emil; "but I strained my nerves. It 
 was an awful moment before I " 
 
 "Now then, princess," hurried Dick; "put your 
 hands on his shoulder. Emil, you take her foot and lift 
 her, as if to mount a horse. That's right, now 
 straighten up. Take a firm grip on my wrist." A quick 
 lift placed her on the roof beside him. "There you are. 
 Now then we're ready for the descent." 
 
 He hurried her to the edge of the roof. "Here you 
 go! Ivan, take her in your arms." 
 
 "Oh, Dick," she hesitated, "I'm afraid my skirt will 
 catch." 
 
 "Pshaw," said Dick impatiently. "Well, then, take 
 it off ; but I shouldn't think you'd worry about tearing 
 a skirt at such a time as this." 
 
 "You stupid thing! I'm not afraid of tearing it; 
 I'm afraid it will catch on the edge of the roof." 
 
 "I'll fix that you just sit down and I'll push it over. 
 Now then, don't mind Ivan. He's half woman-hater, 
 and half cook. Come now." 
 
 He lowered her carefully, Ivan received her as 
 though she were of fragile glass, and as soon as he had 
 placed her on the ground, Dick swung himself beside 
 them, saying: "Hurry now, it is getting late." 
 
 As they started along the path which led to the Bur- 
 ton grounds, a howl came from the bear den : "Here, 
 here ; come and let me out !" 
 
 Dick was a commander about to consummate a coup. 
 Individuals were no longer of moment to him save as
 
 OVER IVAN AND EMIL 211 
 
 they furthered his plan. "We can't bother with you 
 now," he answered with lofty abruptness. 
 
 "Oh, this is an outrage," moaned Emil. "I will in 
 the morning in this olt bear den be found. I will be 
 disgraced. I will be and you said you were my 
 frient!" 
 
 Dick saw that something was due Emil, and going 
 close to the den, he said slowly and distinctly : "Emil, 
 be sensible. In order to get you out, it would be neces- 
 sary for one of us to go in. Whoever went in would 
 have to stay. It requires two to finish my plan. Ivan 
 is perfectly willing to assist without argument. If you 
 did not intend to do my bidding in this matter, you had 
 no business to force yourself 'on me. I shall rescue you 
 as soon as I get time. This entire evening, outsiders 
 have been begging me to rescue them until my patience 
 is exhausted." 
 
 "But it is damp in here, and there is nothing to sit 
 on." 
 
 "It is not customary in this country to fit up bear 
 dens with Morris chairs and cozy corners," rejoined 
 Dick. "Now, I can't waste any more time. Be a 
 sport!" 
 
 Dick turned away; but Emil was not yet resigned. 
 "Here," he called, "wait ; I refuse in this vile spot to 
 remain." 
 
 "All right, then," answered Dick stoically, "come on 
 out. I don't want you to remain." 
 
 They hurried along the path until they reached the 
 high fence at the point where an opening in the hedge 
 had formerly served the girl as a wicket.
 
 212 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "I never in the world can get over that fence!" ex- 
 claimed the girl. 
 
 "You will have to," answered Dick shortly. "There 
 is no knowing what your aunt has started by this time. 
 Men may be watching or searching the front and back 
 roads. They would never think of watching here. 
 Therefore here is where we must enter." 
 
 "Oh, I don't know what to do," cried the girl. "Fa- 
 ther will never forgive me if he discovers where I have 
 been or whom I have been with." 
 
 "Then climb this fence at once, and keep him from 
 finding out." 
 
 "He was to go to some kind of banquet to-night; 
 but I am sure that it is terribly late and " 
 
 "Well, he don't live here anyway, does he ?" 
 
 "Of course he does." 
 
 "Your aunt said she might telegraph him. I thought 
 well, who is your father, anyway?" 
 
 "I suppose I shall have to tell you now. William 
 Burton is my father. I only pretended to be " 
 
 "Well, then, who is the old party who is always trail- 
 ing you?" 
 
 "Why, she is my father's cousin. I call her aunt and 
 she is awfully good to me ; but " 
 
 "Will somebody please stroke my ears!" cried Dick. 
 "Why, it's as plain as this fence. It always was plain, 
 only I was so taken up with you that I didn't care a 
 rap who you really were. Oh, this is rich this is a 
 joke on every one! And to think that uncle " 
 
 "It is not a joke," protested the girl. "It is terrible.
 
 OVER IVAN AND EMIL 213 
 
 I am ready to go insane, and in just one more minute, I 
 shall cry!" 
 
 "None of that," cried Dick in alarm. "You can't 
 afford to do that until after the rush is over. When 
 you get safe in your own room, just let* everything go, 
 have a good cry, then a good laugh, and you'll sleep 
 like a top. Have auntie in and tell her the whole story. 
 I'll wager my life, she's game. I like her the limit; but 
 let's get over the fence now." 
 
 He studied the fence for a moment. "Confound 
 those spikes," he said, referring to a row which lined 
 the top. "Hunt me a stone, Ivan. Now, a little boost." 
 He reached the top of the fence, pounded down the 
 spikes, and said merrily: "Uncle must have thought 
 your clan traveled in air-ships. Now, then, Ivan, pass 
 her up." 
 
 As soon as the girl had been helped to the top of the 
 fence, and had looked down on the opposite side, she 
 shook her head. "It is no use," she said. "I can't get 
 down on the other side." 
 
 "Oh, ye of little faith!" murmured Dick. "Here, 
 you sit steady while Ivan makes his ascension." 
 
 With Dick's help, Ivan climbed up by means of the 
 horizontal pieces to which the boards were nailed, and 
 was then lowered on the Burton side. 
 
 "Just stalk off a little way to make sure that no one 
 is watching," whispered Dick craftily, and then leaning 
 close to the girl, he said : "I hate to say good night. 
 Are you sure you can get into the house?" 
 
 "Oh, yes, I shan't have the slightest trouble about
 
 214 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 that." A quick change came into her face. "What shall 
 I do about Bayard ?" she gasped. 
 
 "As soon as Emil is rescued, he comes next on the 
 list," said Dick without hesitation. 
 
 "If you only will, I shall thank you all my life," she 
 said. 
 
 "And the rest of it is, that I shall stick around so 
 close that you won't have to use long distance," he 
 added. Then his face sobered and he said: "I want 
 you to tell me one thing before you go. I have told you 
 I loved you and have asked you a dozen times to marry 
 me ; but you have never paid the slightest attention. I 
 want" 
 
 "This is no time to talk nonsense," answered the girl 
 in a low tone, which refused to be light. "I scarcely 
 know you, you know." 
 
 "You do, too : you knew me at first sight, and after 
 all we have been through to-night, you know me better 
 than any one else in the world ; but," he suddenly said 
 as a new thought struck him, "how did you know that 
 my name was Dick?" 
 
 "Why, I found out all about you the very day we 
 met. You don't suppose that I should have trusted you 
 the way I have if I had known no more of you than 
 you told me yourself, do you ?" 
 
 "All I knew of you, you told me yourself; but I 
 should have loved you if I had only seen you through 
 a telescope. What is your first name? Honest, now." 
 
 "Kate, or rather Katherine." 
 
 "I might have known that also, it was always my 
 favorite," and he slipped an arm about her. She drew
 
 OVER IVAN AND EMIL 215 
 
 away from him, and they nearly fell from their nar- 
 row perch. 
 
 "This is preposterous," she said when he had 
 steadied her. "To think of sitting on top a high fence 
 at midnight and and " 
 
 At this juncture Ivan returned and reported that all 
 was well ; so Dick was forced to bring his venture to a 
 triumphant ending, even if that ending meant a painful 
 separation. He stood on the upper cross piece, and 
 made her put an arm about his neck; then he put his 
 arm about her waist and lowered her until her hands 
 grasped the fence. During the operation their lips met, 
 moist and warm; but neither spoke of it, and soon Ivan 
 had placed her on the ground once more. 
 
 "Such a night !" she exclaimed. 
 
 "Such a beautiful, beautiful night," echoed Dick, 
 and then sighed. "Good night, sweetheart, good night," 
 he called softly after her as she disappeared in the 
 shadows. 
 
 "Now help me up quickly/' said Ivan. 
 
 "Ah, Ivan, this is ever the way with life. Just as we 
 get a peep into Heaven, some one grabs us by the coat- 
 tail and jerks us back. Now, I shall lower my leg and 
 you climb up on it you can't get a good grip without 
 jumping. Can't you hang on to it? That's it. Now 
 climb until I can reach your hand. Oh, rats !" as Ivan 
 slipped back. 
 
 "What shall I do?" asked Ivan in distress. "I can 
 not climb back." 
 
 "After to-night," said Dick philosophically, "I per- 
 ceive that it is possible to be a great scholar without
 
 216 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 knowing what to do at the right time, or how to do it 
 when pointed out.". 
 
 "But what shall I do?" repeated Ivan, who coveted 
 no new theories at that moment. "I can not climb 
 back." 
 
 "Then you will either have to stay there or go 
 around." 
 
 "But I may be seen and discovered." 
 
 "It is not a bad bet," admitted Dick; "but life is all 
 a chance, anyhow." 
 
 "Why are there no cleats on this side of the fence?" 
 demanded Ivan. "If I had known that I should not 
 have descended. Oh, why are there no cleats ?" 
 
 Dick was contented with his night's work, and he an- 
 swered calmly : "Doubtless in building this fence, my 
 uncle overlooked your present requirements. The fence 
 was erected, you know, to keep people out, not in. 
 Cleats, as you call them, are only necessary on one side 
 of the fence. Therefore their absence on your side is 
 in no way remarkable. They were probably put on this 
 side in order to make it more difficult to remove a board 
 from the other side. From this side, you perceive, a 
 board could be knocked off easily ' 
 
 "This is terrible," said Ivan wildly. "Think of my 
 position. I refuse to remain here. You must " 
 
 "My dear Ivan, this is not a case for argument or 
 debate. It is beyond my power to produce cleats 
 through force of desire. It would be foolish for me 
 to join you as we should then be in the same boat; 
 while now I am in a position to rescue you as soon as 
 Emil and the dog are attended to. I shall get a rope,
 
 
 
 Then he lowered her until her hands grasped the fence
 
 217 
 
 free Emil, send him here with the rope, while I turn 
 the dog loose. Then I shall return and if " 
 
 "Do not leave me," begged Ivan. "Consider my po- 
 sition I am on the domain of your enemy. He has 
 guards patrolling it, and maybe dogs! What shall I 
 do?" 
 
 "You have several good plans," said Dick reassur- 
 ingly. "You could either follow this fence until you 
 reach the street; or curl up right where you are and 
 wait until I return. Taking the possibility of spies into 
 consideration, I should remain here if I were you at 
 least until later. As soon as it is discovered that the 
 girl has returned, the watchers will be recalled." 
 "But what if I am discovered?" 
 "You are still wearing the cook's dress: tell them 
 that you are crazy ; and in the morning I shall call at 
 the station and release you. Good-by, I won't be long." 
 Dick dropped to the ground and Ivan said bitterly : 
 "This is called a free country ; but it is damnable ! I 
 hate it ! Sooner would I live a thousand years in Rus- 
 sia, than one year here. I shall never again have any- 
 thing to do with women !" 
 
 "Now everything is all right," said Dick. "As soon 
 as the blame can be laid on a woman, the sky begins 
 to clear. Honestly, I'm sorry to the quick, old boy, 
 and I shall return as soon as possible. Keep a stiff 
 upper lip, and it won't seem long." 
 
 Dick really did feel sorry for Ivan ; but with all that 
 had happened to cheer him, tugging at his heart, and 
 with much still to be done, he was forced to tear him- 
 self away, which he did at a brisk trot.
 
 218 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Under a blue light all is blue, under a red light all 
 is red, and so each little human of us sees a different 
 world, lighted by the light of his own nature. Dick 
 and Ivan had taken part in the same series of events, 
 and yet how different they had appeared. To Dick, 
 like the beautiful movements in a fairy game; to Ivan 
 like the somber action of a deepening tragedy. 
 
 The same moon which made Bannington Park a 
 magic isle to Dick made the orderly Burton grounds 
 a ghastly wilderness to Ivan, and furnished Kate with 
 a clear soft illumination, as she opened the side door 
 and entered the house unseen. 
 
 Is life after all but a game, and are we always only 
 children? Will the time ever come when we shall 
 look back to the joys and sorrows which seemed so 
 wonderful or so terrible, and smile half wistfully at 
 the innocence with which we accepted the semblance 
 for reality?
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 THE ROVERS RETURN 
 
 I" T was now eleven o'clock : Richard Bannington 
 -* had concluded his interview with his private secre- 
 tary, and Higgins had just assisted him to the library, 
 his intellect receiving its customary amount of blame 
 because there was still some pain in Mr. Bannington's 
 foot. 
 
 "Higgins, I wish it were cold enough to have a fire," 
 complained Mr. Bannington, fanning himself. 
 
 "Yes, sir, it would be pleasanter," acquiesced the 
 butler. 
 
 "But it would be damned unnatural and probably 
 cause a lot of sickness," said Bannington shortly, inti- 
 mating that the butler purposed using underhanded 
 means to produce such a condition. "I wish my nephew 
 had as much sense and steadiness as young Lorrimer," 
 continued the old man. 
 
 "Yes, sir," said Higgins in a mild, injured tone. 
 
 "What ! What do you mean by such impertinence ?" 
 demanded Bannington, who used the same voice in 
 talking to himself as he did when addressing one of his 
 servants, and scolding the servant who failed to answer 
 when spoken to, or who answered when he was merely 
 thinking aloud. 
 
 "I merely meant that by the time that Mr. Dick 
 219
 
 220 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 begins to settle down and goes into business with you 
 it will take a lot of worry off your mind and " 
 
 "A lot you know about business or worry either, 
 for that matter," interrupted Bannington. "As soon as 
 Dick comes in, I want to see him. It doesn't matter 
 what time it is, I want to see him. Do you hear?" 
 
 "Certainly, sir. Yes, sir, I shall tell him." 
 
 "Seems to me as if he ought to be in by now." 
 
 "Yes, sir, I should think so." 
 
 "You should think so! What business have you 
 to think about my nephew's actions? I wish you would 
 learn your place before you get too old to be of any 
 service at all." 
 
 At this moment the door-bell rang violently. Hig- 
 gins stood in surprised inaction. "Why don't you 
 answer the bell ?" cried Bannington. "Do you intend to 
 keep them waiting all night ? Hurry !" 
 
 The old man continued sitting erect in his chair with 
 his eyes turned anxiously toward the door until the 
 two Austrian keepers entered, leading Emil, whose 
 raiment was sadly disarrayed. 
 
 "Sir," he cried indignantly, "I protest me against 
 such treatment! Never was I like this before treated! 
 I come with your nephew to his native land as a guest 
 of him at his invitation, to assist him in the propaga- 
 tion of the scientific laws of " 
 
 "Careful, careful," cautioned Bannington ; "you are 
 getting among the breakers. Now go slow and don't 
 sputter so." 
 
 "I have behaved myself with decorum while in this 
 house, but this evening yet, while I was walking in
 
 THE ROVERS RETURN 221 
 
 the park' for a stroll, I was set on and thrown to the 
 ground, hurled into the den of an absent bear, dragged 
 forth by these two ruffians " 
 
 "You are discharged. You haven't sense enough to 
 be hanged for murder," said Bannington to the guards, 
 who stood in stupid silence, 
 
 "But we only obeyed orders," ventured the larger 
 keeper. 
 
 "Orders !" scoffed Bannington. "I told you to cap- 
 ture any women you found on the grounds and drive 
 off all men who looked like tramps or socialists." 
 
 "Yes, sir," said the keeper, "but ve did cabture one 
 voman and shut her into the builting; and then a 
 strange female of large probortions did race through 
 the bark, and ven ve chased her to a certain spod, a 
 man leaped on us from ampush and she turned and 
 sat on our heats and " 
 
 "It must have been Miss Burton !" exclaimed the old 
 man with a grin. 
 
 "Ve were tied and bound fast, and into our mouts 
 was a gag shoved and ve were trown indo te bushes " 
 
 "Who did all this?" demanded Bannington. 
 
 "Ve can not say. It was done wit great swiftness, 
 but dis one helped. Ve heart him talk. Then te large 
 female and one of te men took te girl from te prison 
 and put dis one dere, and vent avay." 
 
 "Oh, this is all nonsense," said Bannington. "You 
 are just making up a story." 
 
 "No, it is te druth. After a vhile ve rolled over pack 
 to pack and untied each te other's tongs and escaped,
 
 222 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 and brought dis one to see vat you vould make wit 
 him." 
 
 "Higgins," called Bannington, "pay these men a 
 week's extra wages, and turn them loose. I don't believe 
 a word they say, but they've been put to some trouble." 
 
 As soon as the men had left, Emil, who was still 
 smarting, began : "It was not intentional that I entered 
 into this, but your nephew " 
 
 "Sir," interrupted the old man, with a grave polite- 
 ness, which entirely concealed the amusement he felt at 
 Emil's plight, "believe me, there has been a great mis- 
 take. It was impossible to find Americans who would 
 accept the kind of work I wanted these fellows to 
 do, and it is evident that they did not understand my 
 instructions. I realize that under the circumstances 
 apologies . are entirely inadequate, but as that is the 
 best I can do, I offer my most abject apology." 
 
 Bannington held out his hand and Emil grasped it, 
 bowing low, as his habitual good humor returned. "Sir, 
 he said, "I hasten to accept it, and to assure you that 
 you have done all that a gentleman could. Now, with 
 your permission, I shall retire myself and put in order 
 my attire." 
 
 Emil started to leave the room, but Bannington, who 
 was nervous because of Dick's absence, suddenly had 
 a whim for company, and said: "If there isn't any 
 God, how can there be any sin?" 
 
 "Sin?" repeated Emil, taken by surprise. "Oh, well, 
 now, sin is merely a term which for convenience we use 
 to call an action which is not at present a proper one. 
 What is for you a sin, is not always for me a sin. Sins
 
 THE ROVERS RETURN 223 
 
 differ with times and places. Murder is still looked on 
 among the savages as a great virtue. Suicide, even 
 among so civilized a people as the ancient Romans, was 
 as a heroic act regarded. The Spartan boys were en- 
 couraged in the killing of slaves in order to do away 
 with the inborn prejudice against taking a fellow- 
 human's life. The czarevitch of Russia is yet to-day 
 taught to indulge always his own desires, none about 
 him being permitted to controvert him. Sin is now 
 my idea of sin is doing something to harm another. 
 What I am able to do entirely as an individual can 
 not be a sin. Providing I have none at present in me 
 interested, and guard against having any offspring, I 
 can abuse my own body as much as I please, even to 
 the taking of my own life; but as long as my act is 
 a part, even a small part, of the social life, then I am 
 not to consult myself only, but society. Judged by this 
 rule" 
 
 "You'll have to own up that without God, good 
 would be unthinkable." 
 
 "Not so. Without experience, good would be un- 
 thinkable." 
 
 "Don't let me keep you up," said Bannington a little 
 testily. 
 
 "That's right, I have yet some packing to do. I wish 
 you good night." 
 
 "Good night," said Bannington, frowning slightly. 
 
 Emil left the room, refreshed and contented. His 
 little talk had brought back his familiar poise and the 
 evening's incidents were as remote as the early Greek 
 tragedies. Bannington sat brooding: "Still has got some
 
 224 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 packing to do," he muttered after a few moments' 
 silence. "Then the boy really intends to go. Oh, I 
 can talk him out of it yet. If boys were to begin 
 doing the things they intend to do, the globe would 
 crack in the center. It seems to me that the older I 
 get the more I feel like a boy. 'Twould cause a panic 
 if they only knew what I was thinking of sometimes." 
 He chuckled. "They think that all I think of is money. 
 I don't want that German to go, either. He amuses 
 me, takes me out of myself with his fool nonsense. 
 Only started him talking this evening to make him feel 
 better after his handling and he went away purring 
 like a cat, and I got so interested that I lost my temper 
 a little without putting it on. Humph, he's as firm a 
 believer as any one else but that's not saying much." 
 
 The old man looked at his watch and sighed. "I 
 wonder what Dick really did to him," he said with 
 another chuckle. "Confound that boy, I won't stand 
 for his bringing all manner of women on to this place. 
 Those fool keepers spoke of a young one and a large 
 one, besides Miss Burton. I'll wager Dick had nothing 
 to do with enticing her here. That Burton blood is 
 mighty poor stuff! How a mother as beautiful as 
 hers could have so homely a daughter is more than I 
 can say. I'm getting old, I'm getting in my dotage ! I 
 wish Dick would come in, I want to tell him he don't 
 have to marry that frump." 
 
 A loud, angry rapping came at the door. He gave 
 a start, composed himself and said sternly: "Come 
 in." 
 
 The door swung back and Ivan, wild-eyed and with
 
 THE ROVERS RETURN 225 
 
 his dress torn to ribbons, burst into the room. "Sir," 
 he cried, "I am not crazy." 
 
 Bannington examined him skeptically : "Well, maybe 
 you're not I don't like to contradict any man point 
 blank, but I must say you put up an awful good bluff 
 at it. What are you pretending to be ?" 
 
 "I shall tell you. This evening your nephew came to 
 me and said " 
 
 "Don't tell tales, don't tell tales," broke in Banning- 
 ton. "That's one great trouble with all you laborless 
 labor leaders; you are everlastingly reviling one an- 
 other. You don't really want conditions to be any bet- 
 ter, the more you can stir things up the more graft 
 there is in it for you." 
 
 "But this was not for the cause," expostulated Ivan. 
 "He came just as I had caught Emil in a weak argu- 
 ment " 
 
 "He couldn't come at any other time, the boy is 
 not to be blamed for that," interrupted the old man 
 with unappreciated humor. 
 
 "Yes," continued Ivan, "and he said he had need for 
 me. I went, willing to sacrifice my life if need be. He 
 made me put on this garment, through the woods was I 
 chased, with men was I forced to combat ! Oh, you can 
 not understand it was terrible!" 
 
 "So that's the kind that you are, huh ? Well, I don't 
 approve of practical jokes, but I never could bear any 
 one who got the worst of it and squealed about it after- 
 ward. Why don't you settle this with Dick, himself?" 
 
 "But this is not a joke, and I can not find him." 
 
 "What did you come to this country fpr, anyway?"
 
 226 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Ivan drew himself up proudly. "I came to this 
 country, not to be disguised like a cook and chased 
 through strange yards with dogs. I came to fight for 
 liberty." 
 
 "Humph, that reminds me of something I once heard 
 concerning Newcastle's demand for coals. If nothing 
 will calm you but war, why don't you go to some ' 
 country which is not free already?" 
 
 "You do not understand. This country has religious 
 freedom, it has political freedom, but industrial free- 
 dom" 
 
 "You needn't list them on my account. There is 
 too much freedom already to suit me. Now, if I 
 were you and remember, this is only a suggestion 
 but if I were you, I should either get my dress repaired, 
 or else take it off altogether." 
 
 Ivan had forgotten his appearance entirely. He 
 looked at his tattered skirt and made for the door. As 
 he opened it, he turned and said : "I shall go to your 
 nephew's room and wait for him. When he returns, 
 will you send him to me at once?" 
 
 "I have a little business with him myself, first," 
 replied Bannington, "but I shall let him know that you 
 wish to see him." 
 
 Ivan withdrew and Bannington shrugged his shoul- 
 ders. "I should like to have that fool doctor live in this 
 house, himself, and see how he would manage to have 
 quiet. I wonder what the deuce Dick has been up to. 
 That boy wastes enough executive ability to run the 
 government. I'll find out about these women he's 
 been having in the park as soon as he gets here."
 
 THE ROVERS RETURN 227 
 
 At this moment he heard the voice of his nephew 
 asking a question in the hall. He could not catch Hig- 
 gins' reply, but heard Dick walking rapidly and firmly 
 toward him. "Now," said the old man, softly but 
 firmly, "now."
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 
 
 <T WANT to ask you," began Bannington as soon as 
 Dick was fairly inside, "why it is that artists, 
 actors, and especially social reformers, are always so 
 loose with women?" 
 
 Dick looked at his uncle in surprise. He was burst- 
 ing with a confession, and at no time would he have 
 expected such a question to come from his uncle. 
 "Actors and artists, being of the artistic temperament," 
 he replied, after collecting himself, "may properly be 
 grouped in the same class, but social reformers are, as 
 a rule, narrow-minded men with good intentions, who 
 get stung with one particular social wrong, and swell 
 up until they think that this one wrong, which is 
 always merely a symptom, is the root of all evil." 
 
 "Aren't you a social reformer?" asked Bannington 
 in surprise. 
 
 "I am a revolutionist," replied Dick with dignity. 
 
 "I beg your pardon," responded his uncle, with 
 satirical obsequiousness, "but as I understand it, they 
 are troubled a good deal the same way." 
 
 "The way of it is this," said Dick, settling to the 
 subject. "We were all primitively free in everything so 
 far as we possessed the physical capacity. As we 
 evolved further from the purely natural, artificial con- 
 
 228
 
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 229 
 
 ventions sprang up. These protect a certain class at 
 the expense of another class I am speaking now of 
 temperamental, rather than economic classes " 
 
 "Pray continue, they are all one to me," interposed 
 his uncle, his face grave, his eyes beginning to twinkle. 
 
 "The emotional characters who imagine an ideal 
 attempt to reach this ideal without taking into account 
 their fixed position in society. They ignore criticism, 
 they attempt to breast the waters of public opinion, 
 they do the things openly which those who manufacture 
 public opinion do secretly, and when the rabble turns 
 and barks at them, they at first refuse to notice it, but 
 gradually their sensitive natures become bitter and they 
 rush into defiant excess. In the end, they trample on 
 their ideals and attempt to harden themselves with un- 
 restrained bestiality. In a word, they do not sin against 
 the highest good in frank rebellion ; they begin by op- 
 posing hypocrisy, but in the end they sink back to 
 the lowest, going to the very slime of an age which had 
 no conception of culture, and this is their undoing. 
 Their appetites are no longer strong and discriminat- 
 ing; but erratic and degenerate. The beauty which 
 they once sought with true devotion, remains like a 
 ghastly specter to haunt them, and while it is impos- 
 sible for human features to express the hell in which 
 they live, their tortured eyes and sagging lips blaze 
 forth like the red lamps of danger. They have taken 
 up their own misery, but at the same time, society, 
 itself" 
 
 "I guess that's enough," said the old man soberly. 
 "You're nearly as bad as the German. A man can't
 
 230 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 ask you a civil question without having the human race 
 or suffering humanity or society dragged into the an- 
 swer. I suppose if a farmer were to stop you in a 
 bridge crush and ask you why apples were wormy, 
 you'd talk to him about society until you were both 
 trampled to death." 
 
 "If trees are properly sprayed, fruit will not become 
 wormy, but the individual is too careless. Apples are a 
 social product, therefore society should guard her own 
 by seeing that the trees are properly sprayed." 
 
 "I should hate to be as old, as you are," said Ban- 
 nington, shaking his head. "If I was sure that I knew 
 everything, it seems to me that I'd be sort of weary of 
 sticking around here any longer. I'd want to go to 
 some new planet, and see if I couldn't hunt up some- 
 thing to wonder about. 
 
 "But, Dick, you've been out pretty late to-night, and 
 I've something I want to say to you." The old man 
 paused. His voice had become gentle and sincere, and 
 his face showed signs of embarrassment. "It isn't 
 so easy to say, but I was wrong in what I tried to make 
 you do." 
 
 "No, you weren't, Uncle. I was wrong in refusing to 
 obey your slightest wish." 
 
 Richard Bannington stared at him. "Well, it don't 
 make any difference, now, you don't have to marry 
 Miss Burton." 
 
 "But I intend to marry her," broke in Dick impetu- 
 ously. "I want to marry her. I will marry her." 
 
 "What? You intend to marry that fright? the 
 daughter of my bitterest enemy! I forbid it."
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 2311 
 
 "You can forbid all you want to," retorted Dick', 
 forgetting his contrite statement of a moment before. 
 "I intend to marry her, and I shall thank you if you 
 refrain from speaking disrespectfully of the girl I 
 intend to make my wife, and whom you have never 
 seen." 
 
 "I have seen her," said Bannington. "She is in no 
 way suitable. She is one of these strong-minded 
 creatures who will fuss a week to have their own 
 way " 
 
 "That will do," said Dick. "If you are merely 
 seeking to stimulate me by opposition, it is useless, for 
 my mind is already made up. I shall marry Miss 
 Burton if it lies within my power to do so, and if you 
 say another word against her, I shall simply walk away 
 and leave you." 
 
 "You obstinate beggar, you! You take advantage 
 of my weakness. I suppose you lured her into the park 
 this evening?" recalling the capture of Miss Burton 
 and her subsequent release at his hands. "I know more 
 of your pranks than you think I do" Dick imme- 
 diately thought that his friends had betrayed him 
 "but let that go for the present. Dick, you mustn't do 
 anything hasty. I have told you exactly the shape we're 
 in, and I hate to tackle the next few months alone. 
 You're young, you have imagination and hope, and 
 even if things go to smash, it won't be so bad if you 
 are in with me. Thirty years ago, twenty years ago, 
 even ten years ago, I should have welcomed a scrap like 
 this; but if they get me down now, there is no come- 
 back for me, and I hate to own up that I'm whipped.
 
 232 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 If we land this Panama contract, it means a hundred 
 millions worth of other business. 
 
 "You can't stand on the outside and realize how it 
 all hangs together. It's like tenpins; you hit the head 
 pin just right and you get them all; but if your ball 
 starts a quarter of an inch out of line, you roll into the 
 alley and don't get anything. They're watching us like 
 crows watching a dying horse. If we bid too low it 
 will show our hand, if we bid one dollar too high, we 
 don't get a look-in. I have figured this bid at exactly 
 two million, three hundred and sixty-five thousand 
 dollars, and that's to the hair-line. Are you going to 
 come in and make a last fight for it, or are you going to 
 read of our failure in the newspapers? This is a man's 
 game, Dick ; will you come in and take a hand, or will 
 you stand outside and chatter?" 
 
 There was magnetism in the old man's voice. Dick 
 saw the situation in a new light. It was a man's game, 
 he was tired of dealing with theories and longed to be 
 in the midst of a fierce struggle. The quick move- 
 ments of the evening, the matching of his wits and his 
 strength against those of other men and against adverse 
 circumstances, had entered his veins like rare wine, and 
 he felt in every fiber of his being the call of his uncle's 
 words the call of class, the call of clan, the call of 
 blood. He slowly kicked his toe into the thick rug, 
 keeping his eyes on the process as though it was the 
 one important consideration confronting him. 
 
 "Uncle," he said at last, "I'm all torn up. I want to 
 go in with you ; but I know we can never pull together. 
 You'd treat me as if I were still a boy, and I can't
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 233 
 
 stand your overbearing ways and I can't forgive the 
 way you have spoken of Miss Burton. It makes no 
 difference anyway. My plans are all laid, and I leave 
 this house to-night." 
 
 "Yes, and in two weeks you will be back, begging 
 for a new chance ! I don't mean that, Dick. I know 
 you are too infernally proud to own up that you were 
 hungry until you had starved to death. And if you did 
 go away and would ever need assistance, and I could 
 give it, why, I'd want you to come back, and I'd make 
 The Prodigal Son sound like a hard-luck story. We'd 
 get along better than you think. I'm a cranky old 
 fellow, I know, but I'm not so bad as I seem. You've 
 formed your opinion of me from the papers, but you'd 
 find me a lot different. Why, hang it, boy, I've 
 chummed with you all the time you've been at school. 
 I've kept track of your games I've got a lot of fool 
 rule-books locked in my desk now I've even studied 
 slang, so I'd know what you were talking about. I'm 
 not a leech or a clam, I'm a human being, and I've had 
 more fun out of your boyhood than I did out of 
 my own. Marry this woman if you insist on it, marry 
 the cook if you want to! but get into the harness, get 
 into the harness, and it won't take long for work to 
 knock the nonsense out of you." 
 
 There was a friendliness in the old man's voice, a 
 frankness, a genuineness, that appealed to the boy, and 
 he had to harden his heart. "My mind is made up," 
 he replied, without looking his uncle in the face. "I 
 told you ten days ago what I should do, and I don't 
 change my mind without mighty good cause."
 
 234 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "What are you going to do for a living ? You can't 
 live on nine hundred a year." 
 
 The implication was stimulating. "You must re- 
 member that I am a mechanical engineer," said Dick, 
 "and and I also have a patent, and hang it, I can 
 live on nine hundred a year." 
 
 "A mechanical engineer sounds grand," said Ban- 
 nington dryly, "but it takes some little time to reach the 
 ripe fruit. What kind of a patent have you, a hygienic 
 pipe or a skirt hanger?" 
 
 "I have patented a nut-lock," replied Dick crisply, 
 as he unfastened a small trinket from his watch chain. 
 "I patented this thing two years ago, but while waiting 
 to get my patent, I became interested in sociology and 
 forgot all about it." 
 
 "That's your usual way," was Bannington's caustic 
 comment, as he examined the miniature bolt with 
 growing interest. "This thing has some good points," 
 he said after a moment. "Did you take out foreign pat- 
 ents, too?" 
 
 "Of course I did. I don't often do things by 
 halves." 
 
 "That's true enough," admitted Bannington, "but 
 you often burn them up trying to get them cooked. To 
 be perfectly frank with you, Dick, this contrivance is 
 clever ; but there are always two sides to be considered 
 before one gets enthusiastic about a patent. For in- 
 stance, this nut-lock, one way or the other, would 
 probably save the people of this country several mil- 
 lion dollars a year and the manufacturers of bolts 
 and nuts would lose it."
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 235 
 
 "It would also save many lives a loose tap is the 
 cause of some of the worst accidents." 
 
 "Certainly, but I lumped in the lives with the rest, 
 at five thousand apiece. Now the question is, can we 
 jump the price of bolts sufficiently to make more profit 
 off of safe bolts, which are not lost, than we can off of 
 unsafe bolts which will have to be replaced ? Cutting 
 out all sentimental stuff, that is the proposition. That 
 nut-lock won't do you any good alone, but if you will 
 come into the plant, we'll make it our big specialty, and 
 you'll not only start off by making a little easy money 
 on royalty, but you can save as many lives as you 
 want to through the prevention of accidents." 
 
 The old man was trying to be genial. He saw the 
 calm determination in his nephew's face and attempted, 
 by means of a facetious cordiality, to bring Dick back 
 to the boyish simplicity of which the old man was so 
 fond, and in which he found the best temperature at 
 which to mold and temper his nephew. 
 
 Slight as the pretense was, Dick felt it. It had an 
 odd effect : his conscience thoroughly approved of the 
 course he had planned, and yet, in some vague way, it 
 hurt him to have the old man use diplomacy when 
 power was the only force that appealed to him. "Don't 
 ask me again, Uncle," he said soberly. "It is undigni- 
 fied on your part, and it hurts me to refuse. I can not 
 accept. Come, let us shake hands and part friends. I 
 feel nothing but good-will toward you and as soon 
 as I get a good start, I'll come back and we'll hold a 
 regular reunion." 
 
 A sudden storm of sorrow and pain swept over the
 
 236 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 old man. For years all the softness and tenderness of 
 his nature had flowed out in secret to the boy, and he 
 had expected to give it a wider vent as soon as they 
 were bound together by a mutual purpose. This was 
 the spring of youth at which he had hoped to drink, 
 so that even in his age, a strong, rich current of life 
 might surge through his veins. After the long years 
 of repression he had experienced an awkwardness in 
 opening his heart to the boy, and yet he yearned toward 
 him with a great love which, now that it was dammed 
 by Dick's self-confidence, rose up in his heart with un- 
 expected strength, choking him, and making his hands 
 tremble. 
 
 For years he had dreamed of having Dick as a chum, 
 working with him, playing billiards with him, taking 
 long walks with him, having a little real fun to crown 
 his hard life, as the dainty mistletoe nestles to the 
 rugged oak and now the boy was going away again. 
 Age can never understand why youth always longs for 
 the lonely quest; youth can never understand why 
 age still craves the close, warm touch of true com- 
 panionship, and yet nature, whether her steps be taken 
 blindly or at the dictation of a divine purpose, makes 
 no mistakes ; and though the path leads through wilder- 
 ness and desert and along frowning cliffs, yet does it 
 wind ever upward toward the unseen country of under- 
 standing love. 
 
 Richard Bannington clenched the hands that trem- 
 bled against his will, and when he tried to speak, his 
 voice was broken and husky. "Dick, you're you're 
 not going away? You're not actually going to leave
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 237 
 
 me? Why, Dick, you were named after me, and if 
 you were my own son, I couldn't love you more. 
 .When your mother died, your father couldn't seem to 
 bear the sight of you for a while, and I why, Dick, 
 you can't imagine how I used to pet and fondle you 
 when no one else was about. I know I have a rough 
 tongue, I've had to be rough, but not with you no, I 
 haven't been rough with you. Why, Dick, I love you 
 like a father." 
 
 "And if you were my father, it is too late for me to 
 change now," replied the boy, still true to the hauteur 
 of his years. 
 
 "Why?" asked the old man. 
 
 "Well," answered Dick, fading it easier to control 
 himself by looking at the flour instead of at his uncle, 
 "I have rented an office and fitted it up this was what 
 I've been doing the last few days. I have engaged 
 a bookkeeper and a general office man ; I have had my 
 stationery printed, my card put in the different trade 
 papers, my plan of " 
 
 "Why in hell didn't you incorporate yourself and be 
 done with it?" flashed the old man, catching the first 
 wave of his reaction. "You don't take an overly 
 modest view of your own worth, at any rate," he con- 
 tinued sarcastically, and then the wave having passed 
 on, his voice softened again. "But all this don't 
 amount to anything you can swing all this into the 
 plant. Why, this one government contract will mean 
 more than twenty years hard labor on your own hook. 
 There will be millions of bolts used, and you can have 
 all the opportunity you want to test your patent."
 
 238 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "It is tested it is perfect, and I shall push it myself. 
 I am in earnest, Uncle," holding out a steady hand; 
 "good-by." 
 
 "And so this is really the end of all my plans for 
 you?" said Bannington in a level voice, but refusing to 
 see the hand which Dick held out. "When your father 
 died and turned you over to me, I swore I'd do my best, 
 and I have kept my oath. You haven't been a bad boy, 
 Dick, but hanged if you've been a restful one. I doubt 
 if I ever made a plan for you that you didn't kick 
 down, jump over, or crawl through. I don't want you 
 to go, Dick. Can't you say something better than 
 good-by? Haven't you a single kindly thought for 
 the business your father started and worked for?" 
 
 Dick hung his head for a moment, then straightened 
 up and said in a friendly tone, but with a trace of 
 pride: "Yes, I have. Now listen, this nut-lock of 
 mine is all right. I have tested it under water, on a 
 jerk movement, and under alternating pressure, and it 
 is perfect. You specify it in your bid, and I'll give you 
 the right to make it without royalty. It is the Dickie 
 Nut-Lock and the name is copyrighted. It will get you 
 the contract ; and and God bless you, Uncle, and the 
 plant, too. Good-by." 
 
 He grasped the old man's hand and shook it rapidly. 
 Tears were welling up in his eyes, but he turned and 
 hastened from the room before they had a chance to 
 moisten his cheeks. 
 
 The old man sank back in his chair, his hands clasped 
 tightly across his breast, and his breath coming in 
 quick catches, closely akin to sobs. For many minutes
 
 DICK LEAVES THE TRACK 239 
 
 he sat thus, fighting a battle of the soul. Had some 
 of the many who used his name so familiarly and so 
 disrespectfully, seen him at this moment well, prob- 
 ably they would have taken it as an exceptional example 
 of fitting punishment. They also have missions to per- 
 form. 
 
 "Foolish, impulsive boy!" murmured Richard Ban- 
 nington; "he has taken my heart with him. Oh, he'll 
 soon get enough of this fighting alone ! No, he won't ; 
 it's not in the breed. Confound those tramps who led 
 him astray!" A grim, proud smile crossed his lips. 
 "From the appearance they made this evening, though, 
 it doesn't look as if they did much of the leading. 
 
 "He had no right to turn down the old plant this 
 way it bears his father's name. That is a good patent 
 of his, too. Hanged if I don't specify it in the bid! 
 I can't root the boy out of my heart, and I'm not going 
 to try. I'll specify it in the bid and then when he gets 
 tired of fighting alone, I'll tell him it was his nut-lock 
 that secured the contract, and he can come back without 
 pocketing his pride. The Bannington pride is a 
 damned bothersome asset. Poor old Dick; I was like 
 him, myself, once. Lord, it seems a hundred years 
 ago!" ' 
 
 For a few minutes he sat in reverie, old thoughts 
 blending with new, and then he shrugged his shoulders 
 as if to cast off a load. The Bannington blood was, 
 in truth, fighting blood, and the old man had won 
 another battle. Already his private war was laid aside, 
 and the great struggle, on which depended the life of 
 the plant, was beginning to attract his attention. He
 
 240 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 knew there would be many a lonely hour for him, but 
 he also knew the lonely hours which he had conquered 
 in the past. "Higgins !" he called with incredible fierce- 
 ness. "Higgins, Higgins, Higgins! I want to go to 
 bed." 
 
 As the startled butler entered the door, the old man 
 rose and tested his foot on the floor. "Higgins," he 
 said in a friendly tone, "my foot is very much better. 
 I think that to-morrow will be the last day of your 
 tyranny over me." 
 
 And Higgins, who had again sunk to the comfortable 
 level where it was not necessary for him to think, 
 replied respectfully : "Yes, sir, I 'ope so, sir."
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 COMRADES STILL 
 
 FT is not to be supposed that Dick would go about 
 -*- the selection of an office in a conventional or 
 orthodox way. Neither is it to be supposed that he 
 would go about it in a slipshod or haphazard manner. 
 Certainly not. The most natural supposition is that 
 his selection would be the working out of a private 
 theory, and this would end the supposing, for no one 
 who knew him would ever waste time in guessing 
 about one of his unvoiced theories. 
 
 Dick had several things to take into account, and 
 the first was that he was under obligations to provide 
 for the comfort and welfare of the three friends who 
 had enlisted under his banner. He had guaranteed 
 nothing, but there was an understanding all around 
 that his money was to be freely used in propagating 
 the principles for which they stood, and now that he 
 had come on dry times, through no fault of theirs, 
 he made it a point of honor to include them in his 
 new arrangements. 
 
 When he had gone up to his room after the inter- 
 view with his uncle, he had found Ivan sitting bolt 
 upright on its most uncomfortable chair, his feet rest- 
 ing on the tattered remains of the cook's gown, and 
 his arms folded across his breast. Dick's heart had 
 
 241
 
 242 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 been very full as he had hurried up the stairs to the 
 old room where so many of his boyish pranks had been 
 planned, and he paused on the threshold, his eyes 
 winking so rapidly that at first he did not see the rigid 
 figure of his former ally. 
 
 When he did see him, his face lighted and he crossed 
 the room rapidly, holding out his hand. "Ivan," he 
 said feelingly, "I am rejoiced to see you safe and 
 sound. How did you escape from the Burton yard ?" 
 
 "I was chased out by a dog, a shepherd dog," re- 
 plied Ivan, without changing a line in his somber face. 
 "Our friendship is over." 
 
 "Oh, Ivan," said Dick sorrowfully, "I can't give up 
 any more friends to-night. I don't blame you for feel- 
 ing cut up at the way things turned out ; but I had no 
 expectation of it, and I did the best I could." 
 
 "You untied the very dog which chased me from 
 the yard. It was that same shepherd dog." 
 
 "Collie," murmured Dick. "Did he bite j-u?" 
 
 "No, he would run at me, snarling in a low voice, 
 act as though he was going to spring, and then turn 
 aside. There was not one stone on the ground. I kept 
 my eyes on the dog and fell into three rose bushes. 
 That was the ending. You led me into danger and 
 then deserted me uncaring, to turn loose on me a dog." 
 
 "And even worse was I treated," said Emil, who, 
 having heard the voices, had come in without attract- 
 ing attention. He had his hat on his head and his 
 battered traveling case in his hand. "I was left in the 
 filthy den of a bear, where I remained until the
 
 COMRADES STILL 243 
 
 brutal keepers had untied themselves. They refused 
 to free me until I cursed them in German, telling them 
 that I intended to blow up with dynamite the house. 
 They could not find the key, and lowered to me a rope. 
 I put it under my arms, the noose slipped and I was 
 nearly strangled. When we all reached the ground, 
 I tried to escape with dignity, but they caught me the 
 second time I tripped, and dragged me before your 
 uncle. He is of great sincerity. He apologized. Now 
 I leave." 
 
 Dick's trunk was already packed, and as Emil talked, 
 he had been hastily changing his clothes. His attire 
 was in too extreme negligee to give proper effect to the 
 pain which evidenced itself in his boyish face, but when 
 Emil had finished he smiled sadly, and said: "Even 
 the rats know when to leave a sinking ship, and so I 
 do not blame you. I shall not ask you to follow me 
 into the new venture which I am about to undertake. 
 The chances are about ten to one against me, and you 
 have already put up with a lot of disappointment on 
 my account." 
 
 Dick paused and his two listeners looked troubled. 
 They were accustomed to his quick temper, but were 
 unprepared for this frank admission of weakness, or 
 the sorrowful undertone in his voice. "I want to tell 
 you, though," continued Dick, "that I did the best 
 I could for you. I hurried to the den and found Emil 
 and the keepers both gone, then I went to unfasten the 
 dog. As soon as he started for home, I hurried back 
 to Ivan, remembered that I should need a rope, and
 
 244 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 ran around to the den to get it. When I returned to 
 the fence, Ivan was gone. 
 
 "I don't ask your forgiveness, but I do say that 
 I'm mighty sorry that things turned out as they did, 
 and that what you have helped me do to-night is one of 
 the greatest acts of my life, and I shall never forget 
 it. Any time or any place that I can do you a service, 
 just let me know and you will see whether or not I 
 am ungrateful. I am leaving here to-night to start 
 in a little business of my own. It will probably be 
 slim eating for a long time, and I am glad that you do 
 not feel called on to share it with me; although I did 
 make preparations for you." 
 
 "Pouf, pouf, pouf!" exclaimed Emil, waving his 
 hands in front of him and pursing out his lips. "What 
 is a little thing like being dropped into an empty bear 
 den ? It is but a choke ! Wherever you- are willing 
 to go, I am willing to follow, and I am fat; I can 
 starve a long time. Pouf !" 
 
 Ivan held out his hand. "It was not your fault; 
 you did what you could, I forgive you freely, and will 
 not desert you as long as I have life. When do we 
 start?" 
 
 Now Dick was mightily cheered at the simple loy- 
 alty of his two friends, and it was after this that he 
 remembered the count, and looked into the hall and see- 
 ing that there was a light in his room, had knocked on 
 the door. The interview was short and unpleasant: 
 the supercilious smile of the count, which did not 
 appear on the surface, but seemed to lurk behind his 
 polite expression, peering out at each little corner
 
 COMRADES STILL 245 
 
 to sneer spitefully, was much in evidence, and Dick 
 was glad when it was over. But he told Lorrain that 
 while he was at present in no position to be of assist- 
 ance to any one, he would be at his service the very 
 moment he was capable of rendering any. He begged 
 Lorrain to send him his address, as soon as he was 
 settled, and gave him his new business card. As Lor- 
 rain read, "Mr. Richard E. Bannington, Mechanical 
 Engineer, President of The Dickie Nut-Lock Company, 
 Suite Three, 96 Nathan Street, New York City," his 
 supercilious smile removed its veil and seemed to swag- 
 ger. But only for a moment, after which he bowed, 
 thanked Dick, said he would guard the card carefully, 
 and they shook hands. Lorrain told him that his 
 arrangements for leaving the next morning were com- 
 pleted, and as Dick joined his other two friends, he 
 gave a sigh of relief. 
 
 Nathan was an odd little street, finished long ago, 
 tossed into a vacant nook on the East Side, and forgot- 
 ten. It had originally been intended for a residence 
 street ; but was now used for anything that pleased the 
 fancy of him who happened to find, and decide to 
 make use of it. It was of all things heterogeneous, and 
 therefore quite adapted to the mind of Dick Banning- 
 ton. 
 
 He had furnished his offices rather hastily, and he 
 and his staff found much to do when they took pos- 
 session at seven o'clock the next morning without hav- 
 ing tasted sleep for twenty-four hours. But what was 
 sleep with a new project, only awaiting a few finish- 
 ing touches for its launching? They turned to with
 
 246 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 a will ; but it required a week's steady labor to arrange 
 the two-room suite to the satisfaction of the cautious 
 president of the Dickie Nut-Lock Company. 
 
 Dick was much changed : his lips were set, with the 
 lower one protruding a little in fixed determination, 
 his eyes appeared to gaze into empty space, but the 
 drawn brows above them denoted concentrated 
 thought; and Emil and Ivan had found it necessary 
 to adjust themselves a little to fit in with the new or- 
 der. Their questions were usually ignored, and when 
 Dick conveyed a request to them it was put into the 
 form of an order, a brief, comprehensive command, 
 and they felt instinctively that much was staked on 
 this new venture, and gradually adapted themselves to 
 its requirements. 
 
 The requirements were boring rather than wearing. 
 As soon as the offices were arranged, there was nothing 
 to do but sit in the outer office behind a brass netting 
 and look intelligent and busy. As no one ever came, 
 this occupation soon lost its novelty, and while Emil 
 improved his opportunity by reading heavy books, 
 Ivan was forced to ease his mind by frequent sigh- 
 ings. Dick spent his time in his private office, and, as 
 much of it was devoted to pacing up and down, his re- 
 tainers found much mental exercise in speculating on 
 his ultimate intentions. 
 
 They ate breakfast and supper in the outer office, 
 where Emil and Ivan also slept, Dick and the faith- 
 ful Mulligan sleeping in his private office. The great 
 wall safe in the outer office with "The Dickie Nut- 
 Lock Company" artistically painted on it, was in real-
 
 COMRADES STILL 247 
 
 ity an ice-box; an expensive letter-filing cabinet was 
 arranged to hold table furniture; while comfortable 
 bunks were arranged beneath the counter which 
 formed the lower portion of the partition which sep- 
 arated the office force from possible clients. They 
 were really quite cozy as far as their material bodies 
 were concerned. Generally they studied East-side con- 
 ditions during the evening, or took part in some meet- 
 ing held for the elevation of the submerged tenth, 
 which takes such an impersonal and complacent view 
 of its own condition. 
 
 But with the second week came a great yearning in 
 Dick's heart to see the girl again. They had made no 
 plans for a future meeting, for young love, being eter- 
 nal, deals only with the present; and one of Dick's 
 knotty problems was the discovering of a way to meet 
 her, which would be apt to have no disastrous compli- 
 cations. He had every reason to believe that her fa- 
 ther and her aunt would offer strenuous objections, and 
 he felt a justifiable hesitation in suggesting another 
 clandestine meeting, even if he had had any safe 
 method of conveying a message. 
 
 But even when one is worried and in addition to 
 this, wills it with all his might, one does not thoroughly 
 age in a single fortnight, and so the Saturday night of 
 the second week found Dick en route for Minster. He 
 went alone and he went with an open heart, trusting 
 that the gods would provide him with an op^o tunity, 
 if only he place himself in the best position to take ad- 
 vantage of it. 
 
 From Minster, he hastened to the little road which
 
 248 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 ran past the rear of Bannington Park. He hurried up 
 this until he found the oak tree post-office, knelt with 
 a beating heart, ran his hand through the hedge, and 
 with much effort into the hole near the base. His 
 heart stopped still and then gave a mighty leap his 
 hand had touched a note. 
 
 Hastily drawing it forth, he tried to read it in the 
 darkness; but strain his eyes as he would, it was im- 
 possible to make out a single word, and he dared not 
 strike a match, for fear of attracting attention. He 
 hurried up the road until back of the Staunton place, 
 and then struck the match. A light, fitful breeze was 
 blowing, and the match went out. The second, third, 
 and fourth did likewise. Then he used care and was 
 able to read the heading. The words, "My Dearest," 
 in Kate's well-known writing affected him like the 
 touch of a live wire, and the fifth match went out. It 
 mattered but little, the words continued to dance be- 
 fore him, filling the world with wondrous beauty and 
 surpassing joy. 
 
 After reveling in this glorious sensation for a time, 
 he had a curiosity to see if the note contained other 
 items of importance or interest. He searched pocket 
 after pocket, but did not have a single remaining match, 
 and fell to cursing his luck in truly melodramatic style 
 because he had not carried the note toward Minster 
 instead of away from it. 
 
 He did not waste much time at this; but thrusting 
 the note into the pocket over his heart, he retraced his 
 steps at a brisk run. When he reached the Burton 
 place, he stopped, went up close to the hedge and took
 
 COMRADES STILL 249 
 
 a careful survey. The note seemed his commission to 
 storm the castle and take his lady away by force ; but 
 a little reflection showed him the wisdom of reading 
 the remainder of the note first, and he continued to 
 run until he reached the first street lamp. 
 
 Here the president of the Dickie Nut-Lock Company 
 paused and taking the note from his pocket, he read it 
 with the light falling on a face whose beaming fairly 
 put it to shame : 
 
 "My DEAREST A full week has passed and I have 
 not heard from you and do not know where you are. 
 Oh, I want so much to see you ! I have such loads and 
 loads of things to say. I reached home safely, and 
 went to bed without meeting auntie. When she came 
 in a little later, she gave a gasp of surprise but I pre- 
 tended to be asleep, and she did not say anything until 
 after father had left the next morning. Then she told 
 me that I had frightened her terribly; but did not go 
 into details concerning her own misadventures of the 
 preceding evening, nor question me beyond reason; 
 and she still thinks I merely took a terribly long walk 
 with Bayard. She told me that if I ever went walking 
 after dark again it would be without her consent, and 
 I was so glad to escape without a confession, that I 
 gave her my promise. 
 
 "Every morning I have put a note in our post-office, 
 and every afternoon I have come and found it unan- 
 swered; and have taken it out and have pretended an 
 answer ; but it is no fun. At first I scolded you ; but 
 as the days passed and I became more lonesome, my 
 notes have become more frank; until now I feel no 
 embarrassment in writing that I want to see you more 
 than any one else in the whole world. 
 
 "Perhaps, if I really thought you would read this,
 
 250 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 I should not dare to write it ; but this is the last note I 
 shall write until I get an answer. I shall leave it here 
 and come every day, but I shall 'not take out the note 
 until I hear from you in some other way. I scarcely 
 know whether I am writing to you or to myself. I 
 wonder where you are and what you are doing. 
 "Yours truly, 
 
 "K." 
 
 "P. S. What a perfectly nonsensical ending ! 
 
 "And yet I fear it fits the note." 
 
 After reviling himself at his lack of forethought in 
 not having provided himself with suitable stationery, 
 Dick tore a leaf from his note-book, filled both sides 
 with glowing sentiments, and on a fresh leaf gave her 
 a few details of his new career, ending up with the 
 simple statement that while it was against his will or 
 intention, yet the concern of which he was president 
 would probably be antagonistic to both her father and 
 his uncle an item which might have added to the 
 amusement of these gentlemen and therefore he sug- 
 gested that she arrange to meet him without causing 
 any uneasiness on their part. He offered the plan of 
 her pretending to mope until her aunt noticed it, and 
 then to affirm that it was owing to the discontinuance 
 of her evening walks. 
 
 In justice, it must be confessed that Dick was pre- 
 pared to evince a noble submission to this state of af- 
 fairs, provided the girl saw as he did. Just they two on 
 the little back road, with the soft shadows all around 
 and the soft starlight above, was a much more attrac- 
 tive conception than a formal call in a formal drawing- 
 room, with a formal auntie always within earshot ; and
 
 COMRADES STILL 25 r' 
 
 if circumstances compelled them to resort to the ro- 
 mantic, rather than the conventional, why he was pre- 
 pared to be resigned in his heart, even if he did feel 
 called on to express verbal regret. 
 
 He hurried back to the oak tree, pressed his lips to 
 the note in place of a stamp, thrust it into the open- 
 ing, and returned to New York very much uplifted in 
 spirit. 
 
 There was no answer to the note on the next night, 
 or the next, or the next ; but on Wednesday evening, 
 he found an answer which he read at once by the elec- 
 tric torch with which he had provided himself. 
 
 There was no heading to the note and its tone was 
 a little chilling. It began by saying that if she had 
 ever supposed that he would read it, she most certainly 
 should not have written so silly a note, and that she 
 could not understand how he could have taken it seri- 
 ously. She next informed him that she did not feel 
 justified in doing anything of which her father, who 
 had always indulged her, did not approve; and that 
 it was totally unnecessary for her to pretend to mope, 
 as she had really been ill and her aunt had suggested 
 that she resume her romps with Bayard, which would 
 undoubtedly include a short walk in tne twilight. She 
 ended by saying that she hoped he would succeed in 
 business; but did not fear his competition with her 
 father. There was no signature, not even an initial, 
 and Dick turned off his torch and sat down dejectedly 
 at the side of the road. 
 
 He sat there for over an hour and he was very dole- 
 ful, until at last his pride asserted itself and he turned
 
 252 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 on the torch once more, shading its rays with his coat. 
 He wrote across the bottom of the note : "I hope you 
 enjoy your evening walks with Bayard;" folded it 
 roughly, and returned it to the opening. 
 
 As he straightened up, he noted with surprise that 
 the high fence had been removed. 
 
 "There'll be some more high things taken down be- 
 fore I'm through," he said grimly, as he strode off 
 toward Minster. He had no expectation of seeing that 
 location again for a long time; but he took no back- 
 ward look. And this was a mistake, for the branches 
 of the trees made a beautiful arch in the brilliant star- 
 light.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 
 
 I" N the outer office of suite three, ninety-six Nathan 
 *- Street, there was a telephone booth, and in the booth 
 was a private exchange, the single wire of which led to 
 the private office of the president. It was Ivan's duty 
 to answer the calls, and if they were of sufficient im- 
 portance, to connect the inner telephone. It was a task 
 which did not strain his power of endurance. 
 
 On the Saturday following Dick's disappointment, 
 Ivan answered the telephone about ten in the morning, 
 and was told bruskly to put the president on the wire. 
 
 "Who is it that wishes to speak to him?" asked Ivan 
 calmly. 
 
 "Is he there?" the voice asked, ignoring the ques- 
 tion. 
 
 "My instructions are, not to bother him with any un- 
 important matters, and it will save time if you give 
 your name and business," replied Ivan in the same 
 placid voice. 
 
 "I am William Burton of the National Steel Mills, 
 and I want to speak to your president at once," replied 
 the voice with every symptom of assurance. 
 
 Dick was placed on the wire. "Well?" he demanded 
 shortly. 
 
 "I want to know something about these nut-locks." 
 
 253
 
 254 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Who is this talking?" 
 
 "This is William Burton of the National Steel 
 Mills." 
 
 Dick gave a start, but instantly recovered himself. 
 A smile of triumph played about his lips for a second, 
 and then his face took on a keen watchfulness, and 
 he answered easily: "Well, what is it you want to 
 know about the nut-lock?" 
 
 "I want to know all about it." 
 
 Dick laughed. "I'm afraid I haven't time to gratify 
 you to that extent. Have you never seen the Dickie 
 nut-lock?" 
 
 "Never heard of it until yesterday. What is the 
 price of it? How promptly can you deliver? In what 
 quantities, and where are " 
 
 "If you will send a man over, he can see a demon- 
 stration; or, if you prefer, I can send a man to you. 
 We have an appliance which instantly shows the secu- 
 rity of the lock, and " 
 
 "Send him over at once." 
 
 "Whom shall I have him ask for?" 
 
 "Have him ask for me. I want to see what it is. 
 If I decide to take some but I'll wait until I see it. 
 Send him at once, will you?" 
 
 "As soon as possible," replied Dick politely, after 
 which he hung up the receiver, lit a cigar, clasped his 
 hands behind his head and leaned back in his com- 
 fortable office chair. 
 
 "Mulligan, sit on this chair beside me, I want to con- 
 sult with you," he said to the dog who was stretched 
 out at his feet.
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 255 
 
 The dog jumped up on the chair. Dick put his 
 hand on the rugged neck of his four-footed counselor, 
 and proceeded to discuss the subject. "Why does 
 William Burton of the National Steel Mills desire 
 Dickie nut-locks? That's the question, Mulligan. 
 Where did he hear of them, how did he become inter- 
 ested in them, why does he want to know about our 
 ability to deliver? I wish I was more familiar with 
 my own business, Mulligan. I wish I knew how to 
 get some information that I am much in need of. I 
 wish business was more like foot-ball. 
 
 "Now, the only thing that looks reasonable to me, is 
 the most nonsensical thing of all. Which sounds rather 
 paradoxical, does it not, Mulligan? Well, to be brief, 
 so that William B. will not be kept in the stew too long, 
 the only explanation that looks right to me is that my 
 respected uncle did include the Dickie nut-lock in his 
 bid, for some occult purpose of his own; the Burton 
 bid was lower but the far-famed and justly celebrated 
 Dickie nut-lock was not included; and so his bid was 
 turned back to be rearranged with regard to these 
 most important safeguards. 
 
 "Can it be, Mulligan, can it really be, that after all 
 our beloved country is really conscientious once in a 
 while ? Can it be, gentle one, that the pamphlets with 
 which we showered Washington have, some of them, 
 fallen on good ground and are already bearing fruit ? 
 If this be true, Mulligan and do not forget, lest your 
 ready patriotism be too early aroused, that this is 
 merely speculation if this be true, then verily I say 
 unto you, there is hope in Gilead. If the government
 
 256 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 refuses to consider bids which do not include Dickie 
 nut-locks, then I have them by the short hair. Yea, 
 Mulligan, by the short and tender hair, and my grip 
 is what is technically called a peacherino ! Oh, Mulli- 
 gan, if this be true, and you are aware that I am not 
 given to impulsive enthusiasms, then there will be 
 rejoicing among the daughters of men when I lead 
 William B. and my respected uncle around by their 
 noses, making them do fancy little dance steps. 
 
 "You can't do good work without a theory, Mulli- 
 gan, and this is the theory upon which I am going to 
 base my acts. I have nothing to lose but my chains ; 
 which is a thoroughly orthodox position; but I wish, 
 just for a month or so, that I had a little larger capital. 
 I have a wonderfully clear vision, Mulligan, and the 
 funny part of it is, that I never knew it before. I can 
 see way ahead to the point where the two princes of the 
 steel industry throw themselves at my feet and beg for 
 mercy. And they shall have it, my sedate philosopher, 
 they shall have it in large measure but at a price ; yes, 
 oh, yes, at a fair and pleasing price. 
 
 "Remember this, Mulligan, it is Wiliam B. who is 
 anxious about Dickie nut-locks, not I. In case this 
 slips my memory for a moment, I want you to come 
 before me, in ,the spirit of course, and look at me with 
 the same godlike calm which is at present gracing your 
 features. As a bit of a compliment, friend wrinkle- 
 face, permit me to say that you have Buddha and the 
 Sphinx looking like a ballet, and peace of mind is 
 just as contagious as grippe. I'll admit to you at this 
 time, that details were never my long suit. No scheme
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 257 
 
 of mine that I ever handled alone ever went amiss, but 
 as a rule I left the details to supernumeraries and 
 they, in turn, left them to luck. This time I am going 
 to put all my eggs into one omelet and I am going to 
 eat the omelet. Don't forget now ; you are to be a con- 
 stant reminder that William B. is more anxious about 
 Dickie nut-locks than Mr. Richard E. Bannington. 
 
 "But I wish to Heaven I knew exactly why !" 
 
 After studying the matter a few minutes longer, 
 Dick touched the button on his desk, and Ivan entered 
 obsequiously. It had been arranged from the begin- 
 ning that practice being of great importance, all trans- 
 actions during office hours should be carried on with 
 the utmost precision. 
 
 "Mr. Michaelowski," said the president in cold, dis- 
 tant tones, "I want you to take a demonstrator to the 
 offices of the National Steel Mills, and ask for its presi- 
 dent. Show him fully the workings of the lock, point- 
 ing out its great money- and life-saving qualities, but 
 with the most careful tact, avoid disclosing any 
 information concerning our manufacturing plant, the 
 number of men in our employ in fact, any of the 
 private affairs of our business." 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "When you leave them, go to some other house and 
 give, or at least attempt to give a demonstration. Pick 
 out an important house, you have plenty of time before 
 you start. Pick out a good one and it will be well to 
 pretend that you have an appointment. You will 
 probably be watched when you leave the National, and 
 it is advisable to give them to understand that they
 
 258 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 are entitled to only a small part of our time. Don't 
 make a call on Burton, remember; go through the 
 demonstration as briskly as possible, explain why you 
 did not come earlier, and that you have other concerns 
 clamoring for attention. You understand, play the 
 game bravely; the other fellow don't know what you 
 have buried and neither do you, as far as that goes, 
 so swing as wide as you want to." 
 
 "What is their address?" asked Ivan. 
 
 Dick stared at him. "Address?" he repeated. "Do 
 you for one minute suppose that the president of a 
 concern like this has time to hunt up addresses?" 
 
 Dick was a finished actor. During his short life, 
 he had already taken many parts, and he occasionally, 
 took his present one so convincingly that even his 
 satellites were impressed. In the present instance Ivan 
 looked as though he had received a slap. 
 
 Dick's ready sympathy prompted him to a temporary 
 relaxation. "That's all right, Ivan," he said in a 
 kindly, albeit a somewhat patronizing voice, "you 
 can't become perfect in a week. When you return, get 
 a large apple pie, and we'll spread ourselves a little. 
 Remember, it doesn't make the slightest difference 
 whether or not the nut-lock pleases Burton. I don't 
 care a hang if he never buys one; but I do care about 
 his finding out anything about my business. That's 
 all, and good luck to you." 
 
 Mulligan again stretched himself on the rug. Diclc 
 placed his heels on the polished surface of his new 
 desk, and continued to speculate on the probable out- 
 come of his deal with William Burton. It is not
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 259 
 
 asserted that the force of gravity has any influence on 
 the human mind, but the fact is well known that this 
 same mind is much more easily controlled when its 
 owner's body is tilted forward that when it is tilted 
 back. 
 
 Dick suddenly slapped his thigh, dropped his feet to 
 the floor, and sat perfectly erect. "I wonder if she 
 could have meant that as a hint?" he suddenly asked 
 the empty air. 
 
 "She said that her romps with Bayard would cer- 
 tainly include walks in the twilight. What a chump I 
 have been ! I'll go out there early to-night and see if 
 those walks in the twilight are taken on our little back 
 road. Great Scott, I'm so slow I'd get heart failure 
 trying to elude a snail!" 
 
 It was after one before Ivan returned, and as usual, 
 luncheon was eaten in the private office of the presi- 
 dent for fear that the ever-possible customer might 
 arrive at an inopportune time. The closet where they 
 kept their staple groceries opened on the hall and was 
 originally, or at least formerly, used for fuel. It 
 adjoined Dick's office, and he had had a doonvay cut 
 through and fitted with a handsome glazed door upon 
 which was inscribed the dignified words, Vice-Presi- 
 dent. It was arranged that if any one had the poor 
 taste to intrude on their noonday meal, Ivan was to 
 slip out through the closet and inform the adventurer 
 that the president was engaged in private conference 
 and could not be disturbed for an hour. The ruse had 
 heretofore been unnecessary, but the feeling of security 
 gave an added zest to their meals.
 
 260 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 During these meals, social barriers were leveled 
 and they discussed matters of general interest, but as 
 soon as this particular luncheon was finished and the 
 dishes washed and put away, Dick said: "Now, Mr. 
 Michaelowski, you may report to me upon your assign- 
 ment." 
 
 "He was pleased with the nut-lock; I could tell by 
 his face," said Ivan. "But he did not ask many ques- 
 tions about it, nor did he order any. He asked the 
 price and I gave him the price up to ten-thousand lots 
 in the common sizes, telling him that at present the 
 price on all larger lots had to be referred to the presi- 
 dent. He asked me all kinds of questions about your- 
 self and the business, but I did not heed them. I 
 merely pointed out additional qualifications of the nut- 
 lock. He is not a patient man. He said he would 
 have you call in person." 
 
 "He did, did he?" asked Dick. "Well, I wonder 
 who he thinks he is. I call in person! Well, his 
 impertinence is certainly refreshing. You did well, 
 Ivan. Now I am called out of town this afternoon 
 to examine sites for tunnel terminals. Make no ap- 
 pointments for me but take names and numbers of all 
 who call. That is all." 
 
 Dick reached Minster before seven o'clock and was 
 soon walking out the back road in the direction of Ban- 
 nington Park. He was feeling very much alive. The 
 fact that the National Steel Mills was nibbling at his 
 bait was joy enough for one day; but in addition, he 
 was by this time convinced that the incidental line in 
 the girl's note was really its mesage, and that he was
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 261 
 
 practically going to an appointment. His heart played 
 a merry march and his springy stride kept pace to it. 
 
 He walked on the side of the road farthest from the 
 park, and by the time he reached the Burton place it 
 was nearly dark. He did not pause, but hurried on, 
 hoping either to overtake the girl or else meet her on 
 her return. 
 
 He had just reached the center of the rear hedge 
 of Bannington Park when he saw Bayard coming 
 toward him in the dusk. He and the dog had estab- 
 lished terms of neutrality, if not actual friendship, and 
 Bayard came up to him without hesitation. Dick patted 
 the dog's head effusively ; but the next moment he saw 
 the girl coming toward them on the opposite side of the 
 road. He was just about to cross when he saw that 
 she was not alone. 
 
 Drawing himself close to the trunk of an adjacent 
 tree, he waited breathlessly until she had passed, but 
 could not identify her companion, except that it was a 
 man and that it was not her father. 
 
 Bayard had resumed his position as advance guard, 
 and Dick stole stealthily after, without questioning the 
 propriety of the action. Dick was healthily primitive. 
 The pair in front walked at a fair pace, while Dick was 
 apprehensive of being discovered, and so did not come 
 close enough to overhear their conversation. 
 
 When they reached the rear gate, he heard the girl- 
 ask a question at which the man laughed. Dick knew 
 the laugh ; it belonged to Claude Lorrain, and as the 
 gate closed behind them, he ground his teeth in the 
 darkness.
 
 262 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 With hands thrust into his pockets and bitter 
 thoughts in his heart, Dick plowed down the road to 
 Minster, a luxurious rage steaming in his heart. Any; 
 one but Lorrain ! a cad, a hypocrite, a libertine Dick 
 had used most of the terms of reproach before he 
 arrived at the first Minster street lamp. 
 
 Associated ideas invariably influenced him, and 
 this lamp recalled the night on which he had read the 
 note which had so uplifted him. Without a pause he 
 countermarched and returned to the oak tree at an 
 increased speed. 
 
 "If that were meant for a message, and I was fool 
 enough to miss it, and she did walk alone expecting to 
 meet me ; why she has a right to flaunt even that para- 
 site in my face!" he exclaimed, his intentions being 
 better than his logic. 
 
 He reached his hand into the opening in the oak, 
 and found a note. He crossed the road and walked 
 a hundred yards to a clump of bushes before reading it. 
 It was the same note at which he had become incensed 
 on his previous call. Across the bottom, he read his 
 own message : "I hope you enjoy your evening walks 
 with Bayard;" and beneath this in the girl's hand, 
 were the inscrutable words : "Thank you." 
 
 He turned off his torch and sat down to think, but 
 found himself in no mood for it. The supercilious 
 face of the count insisted on intruding; and at last, he 
 turned on the flash and scribbled : "I regret that one 
 dog did not prove sufficient escort." 
 
 Slipping the note into its former resting-place, Dick 
 started toward Minster. The crude barbarity of his
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 263 
 
 message was exactly the caustic balsam he needed and 
 by the time he had reached Minster, his face was com- 
 pletely turned to the future once more. He very rarely 
 protracted the wake over a dead past. 
 
 As the lamp again impressed itself on his vision, he 
 stopped short and raised his right fist. "It was an evil 
 day for old William Burton when his daughter threw 
 me over for such a creature as that," he said solemnly. 
 "If I get him where I want him, I shall crush him as 
 I would an egg." 
 
 As the National Steel Mills was rather a large egg 
 for the Dickie Nut-Lock Company to crush, this 
 speech, made on a lonely back road, may be looked on 
 as one of those boyish threats of a strictly private 
 nature, which will ever and anon burst from the oldest 
 of us. Still Dick brought his right fist down on his 
 left palm as though he fully meant it. 
 
 When he reached the station, he considered the 
 advisability of making a call on his uncle. The 
 fact that this would take him by the front gate of the 
 Burton place was offered in the general argument ; but 
 in the end he shook his head and continued on his way 
 to ninety-six Nathan Street. 
 
 Entering his private office, he found among the fic- 
 titious entries with which his desk bulletin was daily 
 covered, the bona fide announcement that William 
 Burton had rung him up, had expressed dissatisfaction 
 at his absence, and had requested a personal interview 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 "I should like to have it now, Willie, right this 
 minute," he said disrespectfully, as he gave the demon-
 
 264 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 strative Mulligan a rough fondling; "but I guess you 
 will have to wait until day after to-morrow. I am just 
 as anxious for this meeting as you are; but I have 
 better self-control. I'd give a six-wheeled buggy to 
 know just how to hook you, Willie." 
 
 He laid the bulletin down on his desk and looked 
 severely at the bulldog, who continued to wiggle his 
 stumpy screw tail expectantly. "I suppose you think 
 that in addition to the multitudinous cares of my pub- 
 lic and private life, I can still find time to take you for 
 a nightly walk ?" he indignantly asked the dog. 
 
 Mulligan licked his lips to signify that this was his 
 firm conviction, and Dick resumed in the same accus- 
 ing voice : "For the life of me, I can not see where you 
 get your assurance from. You toil not and neither do 
 you make a bluff at it, and yet you expect your meals 
 at the very minute, which is nerve enough ; but in ad- 
 dition you require personal service from the president 
 of the Dickie Nut-Lock Company which is the limit 
 of all things! 
 
 "Remember, now," he said as he picked up his heavy 
 stick and held it at a threatening angle, "if you chase 
 any cats or fight any dogs without my permission, I 
 shall write a copy of the general orders across your 
 back with this wand of my authority. Now, come 
 on." 
 
 The unassumed sincerity of the dog's welcome and 
 his unshakable faith in him had fully restored Dick's 
 poise, and they set forth on their nightly ramble very 
 jauntily. 
 
 A dog has no place in the present social economy,
 
 LEARNING THE LEVERS 265 
 
 and many there are who wonder at the tenacity with 
 which the dog-lover continues to exist, but this is the 
 whole secret : he, himself, knows he is a four-flusher, 
 many others know it and use it to their personal ad- 
 vantage ; but his dog refuses to believe it unto the very 
 end. He can slip down the ladder of life knocking off 
 a bit of cuticle at every round, but there at the bottom 
 sits his dog, wagging his tail in laudatory greeting, 
 and eager to lick every sore spot and make it well again. 
 That is the whyfore of modern dogs. They don't 
 really pay dividends, but they are about the only intelli- 
 gent creatures left who do not spend half their time 
 preaching. We don't want to be preached at, we want 
 to do the preaching ourselves ; and so the wisest of us 
 keep dogs. Dogs can listen the vocabulary out of a 
 lodge member, and continue to maintain every appear- 
 ance of interest. It is not asserted that there is any 
 connection between the two facts ; but it is certain that 
 when every one kept dogs real dogs there were very 
 few divorces.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 
 
 r I ^HE next morning at eleven, Dick called up Mr. 
 -*- Burton and told him that he could see him, or his 
 representative, on the following afternoon. 
 
 "I want to arrange this at once," replied Mr. Burton 
 in a peremptory voice. 
 
 "I am sorry, but my entire afternoon will be taken 
 up, and to-morrow from three to four will be all the 
 time I can give you for several days." 
 
 "Do you know to whom you are speaking?" 
 
 "I supposed I was speaking to the president of the 
 National Steel Mills," answered Dick angrily. "Who 
 is this?" 
 
 "This is the president," replied Burton, "but I 
 thought that if you knew the importance of interesting 
 a concern like ours, you would " 
 
 "My dear sir," interrupted Dick condescendingly, 
 "I am not seeking to arouse a demand for the Dickie 
 nut-lock among the manufacturers, but among the 
 actual users, of bolts, and have already convinced the 
 government of their positive necessity. Will you 
 call to-morrow?" 
 
 Dick waited a moment with a grin on his face. This 
 was certainly fun. 
 
 266
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 267 
 
 "I shall let you know later," said Burton, hanging 
 up his receiver with a bang. 
 
 Dick touched his bell. "The next time Mr. Burton 
 calls," he said to Ivan, "tell him that I have been unex- 
 pectedly called to Washington to consult with the secre- 
 tary of war. Use the formula for being frank, and use 
 as much of it as he will listen to." 
 
 Dick had arranged a complicated set of formulas 
 for Ivan to use and much of their time was given to 
 the practice of it. 
 
 At three o'clock, Burton called again, and Dick had 
 the satisfaction of hearing over his own telephone the 
 dialogue which took place. Burton did not have Ivan's 
 unswerving placidity, and the contrast was sharp and 
 also amusing to Dick. 
 
 Dick discovered that afternoon that the secretary of 
 war was not in Washington, and it bothered him con- 
 siderably, but the next morning his joy was excessive 
 when the morning paper said that the secretary had 
 been hastily recalled to the capital ; while in another and 
 less conspicuous column, mention was made of Mr. 
 Richard E. Bannington, of the Dickie Nut-Lock Com- 
 pany, having also been called to Washington on urgent 
 business. 
 
 An old college friend of Dick's was now a reporter 
 on one of the leading papers. In common with many 
 other old college friends, this chap still owed Dick a 
 little money and was glad to become a modest publicity 
 bureau in order to square accounts. 
 
 "Talk about your wizards!" exclaimed Dick in de- 
 light. "I guess that will make Willie B. understand
 
 268 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 that he is not playing the scrubs, all right, all right. 
 Be composed, dear friends, be composed. As long as 
 your humble servant has his hand on the steering 
 wheel you will ride as safely as though seated in a 
 church." 
 
 Dick continued to gloat for a few minutes and then 
 remarked to Mulligan: "That was what we term a 
 coup, Mully, my son; but in the future we shall not 
 consult with public officials unless we know where they 
 are. We do not want to get beyond the bounds of 
 commercial honesty. Now, that Milton chap is all to 
 the good. I knew he was honest when I lent him that 
 money which suggests a new idea. A lot of fellows 
 owe me money and the chances are that most of them 
 are honest but do not suspect that I am down among 
 the needy. The first leisure I get, I shall try to re- 
 member who some of them are and give them an op- 
 portunity to contribute a little something to my 
 working capital. I shouldn't be surprised, Mulligan, 
 if we wouldn't have to invent something new in the 
 way of kiting before we have the steel people actually 
 screaming for mercy." 
 
 The telephone bell rang. Ivan answered it and 
 soon came in to Dick, who had whirled around to his 
 desk and was examining some papers. "Mr. William 
 Burton wishes to know if you have returned yet?" 
 asked Ivan deferentially. 
 
 "That Burton is becoming the public nuisance !" ex- 
 claimed Dick, looking up from his papers. "Tell him 
 that I am expected every minute, but that I have a 
 large number of appointments for to-day. If he be-
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 269 
 
 comes profane, hang up your receiver gently. Don't 
 answer the next call promptly, and when you do, beg 
 his pardon and inform him that we are very much 
 rushed." 
 
 About three that afternoon, Dick called Mr. Burton 
 and said in the most amiable voice possible, and as 
 though it were thoroughly understood that an appoint- 
 ment for a meeting that afternoon had been made : "I 
 am very sorry, Mr. Burton, but I was called to Wash- 
 ington unexpectedly yesterday afternoon, and have 
 been rushed to death since my return, so that it will be 
 impossible for me to see you now, although I have 
 tried to arrange it. Could you call the day after to- 
 morrow, at three-thirty?" 
 
 "I don't intend to call at all," replied Burton ex- 
 plosively. "The matter is of slight importance, but 
 just at this time, I was interested " 
 
 "Oh, well, then," broke in Dick in a relieved voice, 
 "if that is the case we can arrange things at some fu- 
 ture time without any bother at all. I thought that per- 
 haps your anxiety for a meeting had something to do 
 with one of these government contracts. That's all. 
 Good-by." 
 
 Dick hung up his receiver, touched his bell, and held 
 a paper in his hand as though vexed at being disturbed 
 in the study of it. "If Mr. Burton calls up again," he 
 said briskly, "use the delay formula. The special facts 
 are, that I am conferring with three men at present and 
 that I expect to leave as soon as this interview is fin- 
 ished. Hold him as long as you can, but don't let him 
 go until you put him on my wire. That is all."
 
 270 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Dick gave a sigh and leaned back in his chair. "I 
 am beginning to see what there is about business that 
 gradually absorbs a man. I have handed friend Bur- 
 ton a bunch this time which will soon let me know 
 whether or not my original theory was the correct one. 
 If he don't call me up within twenty minutes, I have 
 missed the target. If he does, I have hit the bull's-eye 
 and I have a deep-rooted suspicion that if this is the 
 case" 
 
 The telephone bell rang with shrill insistence, and 
 Dick put his own receiver to his ear and listened 
 eagerly. As Burton displayed impatience which rolled 
 harmlessly from Ivan, Dick's joy increased and by the 
 time Ivan was forced to put him on the wire, Dick was 
 certain that he knew Burton's hand. 
 
 "Who is this?" he asked sharply. 
 
 "This is Mr. Burton," came the answer. "I am tired 
 of fooling about this paltry matter and I want to settle 
 it to-day." 
 
 "Impossible," answered Dick blandly. "I regret 
 exceedingly to disappoint you, but my time will be 
 taken up until six o'clock. Can't you make the ap- 
 pointment for day after to-morrow?" 
 
 "What are you going to do this evening?" 
 
 "I have an engagement at nine-thirty," answered 
 Dick. 
 
 "Could you take dinner with me and talk this over 
 then?" 
 
 "Why, I suppose I could" Dick hesitated "Yes, 
 if you really wish it. Where shall I meet you? 
 
 "The Astor House, six-thirty."
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 271 
 
 "The Astor House? Why, that is so out of the 
 way," objected Dick. 
 
 "I mean the Hotel Astor, of course, forty-fifth 
 and" 
 
 "Oh, yes, that's all right ; but we had better make it 
 seven." 
 
 "Very well, then seven sharp. That's all." 
 
 "He has swallowed the hook!" exclaimed Dick. "He 
 is all fussed up because he had to give in a little. He 
 will be in a cold, nasty temper. I shall have to watch 
 him closely. I wish it were foot-ball, Mulligan; but 
 I'm going to play a crafty game. I am so. Now he 
 has to sign my contract, and I have to make him think 
 that I am a good-natured young man, ambitious to suc- 
 ceed, guileless as a dove, and rather easy-going. You 
 have no idea how this is running along my nerves. I 
 always used to feel like this before a game, you re- 
 member, but I never showed it and I won't show it 
 this time." 
 
 Dick rose and took a turn about the room. "I've 
 got to have a lawyer on that contract and here it is 
 after four. The old ones will charge too much and 
 be too careless. The young ones will all be gone home 
 or else they'll be the drudgey kind without imagina- 
 tion. I have to have a corking contract and it has to 
 be drawn up by a lawyer I can trust and who will trust 
 me. Surely there must be a lawyer in this little village 
 who is under obligations of some kind to me. Wait, 
 wait; I'm getting warm! That thin fellow with the 
 ruddy hair that I met at the mission on Avenue C 
 He's the boy Terrence Mulchaey. He claims to be
 
 272 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Irish, the Irish claim to be witty. Now, where can I 
 find him ? He gave me a card, I put it into my pocket, 
 and I gave that suit to a tramp printer." Dick flew to 
 the door. "Emil, do you remember the printer who 
 came here from Seattle to get a job?" 
 
 Emil raised his eyes from The Modern Trend of 
 Pragmaticism, squinted them a time or two, and re- 
 plied: "I do." 
 
 "Then go to him as fast as you can, get the card he 
 found in the upper left-hand vest pocket of the gray 
 suit I gave him J. T. Mulchaey telephone the ad- 
 dress to me on the instant. Hurry !" 
 
 Emil's mouth opened to ask a question, but Dick had 
 already rushed into his own office. Ivan's eyes held the 
 light of suppressed excitement, it was plain that his 
 sensitive nature was responding to Dick's nervous 
 eagerness ; but Emil had been engrossed in an intensely 
 interesting passage, and was impatient at being dis- 
 turbed. "What nonsense!" he muttered as he picked 
 up his hat. 
 
 "Hurry !" cried Ivan. 
 
 "This is no kind of work for a man," growled Emil 
 as he slammed the door. 
 
 Dick had hurried into his private office and pulled 
 out a type-written paper which had been corrected and 
 re-corrected until it presented a badly abused appear- 
 ance. He ran his hand through his hair after having 
 read it again, and said : "This is exactly what I want to 
 get into the contract; this covers everything, and if 
 Terry can just put it into legal form, I shall take great 
 pleasure in making William Steel Mills Burton admit
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 273 
 
 that the way of the transgressor is hard. I hope Emil 
 does not have to pass a book stand." 
 
 He turned and twisted in his chair, he walked to the 
 window, he became so restless that Mulligan was finally 
 disturbed and rose with a yawn to see if what was 
 evidently a human crisis offered any opportunities to 
 a rather bored canine. 
 
 "Mulligan," said Dick, seating himself and taking 
 the dog's head on his knee, "we often speculate on hell. 
 Suspense, that is what hell is. An eternity of suspense, 
 an endless waiting in the dark, a thousand torturing 
 questions, and no answer. That is hell and I wish to 
 goodness that Emil would hurry." 
 
 At the first tinkle of the bell, Dick put the receiver 
 to his ear, and when he heard Emil's voice, he cut in 
 without waiting for Ivan. Mulchaey was with a large 
 firm with offices at Chambers and Broadway, and Dick 
 immediately had Ivan call him. When Ivan announced 
 that Mr. Mulchaey was on the wire, Dick gave a sigh 
 of relief, and soon had things settled. Mulchaey 
 agreed to be at his desk at nine- forty and to work all 
 night if necessary, and to make no mention of the 
 matter to his firm. 
 
 It was now six o'clock, Ivan was beginning supper, 
 and Dick, having run the full circle, now found himself 
 perfectly cool and looking forward with pleasure to 
 his coming meeting with Mr. Burton. 
 
 "I wonder whether I'd better make this engagement 
 at nine-thirty a business or a social one," he mused. 
 In entering business, Dick had decided that it was 
 war, and therefore entitled to no ethical considerations.
 
 274 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 This candid attitude at the very start prevented his con- 
 science from interfering with expediency, and left him 
 free to plan his campaigns unhampered. He finally 
 decided that he looked better in evening clothes and 
 so chose a social engagement. 
 
 "I suppose the old cuss is a cold-blooded amphibian," 
 he remarked genially to Mulligan, as he adjusted his 
 tie, "but even at that I shan't keep him waiting but 
 twenty minutes or so." 
 
 In evening clothes, Dick did not look like a member 
 in good standing of the proletariat, but in spite of this, 
 he felt a kindly approval of his reflection as he sur- 
 veyed himself in the glass. "I trust the time will 
 come when I won't have to keep my raiment in a fire- 
 proof safe and an office desk; but you don't look like 
 a hall-roomer, Dickie boy, not yet. And now, friend 
 Burton, I shall seek to do ample justice to thy fair 
 repast. Mulligan, I regret exceedingly that I can not 
 take you with me, but owing to the present financial 
 depression, the Dickie Nut-Lock Company is unable 
 to afford a human watchman, and the rest of it is that 
 I'll take you a nice long walk when I return. ''Au re- 
 voir." 
 
 "Now, boys, "said the debonair Dick, as he paused 
 at the table where Emil and Ivan were enjoying their 
 frugal repast, adding the sauce of philosophical dis- 
 course to the more material viands, "I want you to 
 remember that in spite of appearances, I am making the 
 economic fight of the age against the steel pirates. It 
 is probable that in the future we shall be watched by 
 detectives; therefore, be ye wise as serpents and in-
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 275 
 
 nocent as doves. See if you can locate any socialists 
 who belong to the office forces of either William Bur- 
 ton or my uncle, and extract as much information as 
 possible. Good night." 
 
 Upon arriving at the Astor, Dick was immediately 
 conducted to a private dining-room, where he found a 
 man with piercing eyes waiting for him. The man was 
 of medium height, masterful hands, self-contained ex- 
 pression, and lips which appeared to be the trusty 
 guardians of a strictly private entrance. 
 
 "You are late," said Mr. Burton, as soon as they had 
 exchanged names and shaken hands. 
 
 "I beg your pardon," said Dick easily, "but you can 
 readily understand the difficulties of starting a new 
 business on small capital. I began in my own way, 
 creating a demand for my services and product before 
 opening offices. Now I find my organization inade- 
 quate to handle the office business, while actual orders 
 come in too slow to keep my plant running." 
 
 "You are younger than I supposed," said Burton. 
 
 "People have been telling me that for years," 
 laughed Dick. 
 
 "Well, let's get started," said Burton. 
 
 They seated themselves, and it was evident that Mr. 
 Burton understood the arrangements for a conference 
 at which food was to be incidental. He tried to make' 
 it entirely incidental. Each course was cleared away 
 and the next brought in promptly, and then the waiters 
 retired until summoned. 
 
 Dick, however, was instantly able to perceive that 
 there was an art surpassing Ivan's in the preparation
 
 276 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 of these courses, and as he was honestly hungry, he 
 commended them cordially. In fact, he played cordi- 
 ality as his longest and strongest suit, answered all 
 questions frankly, but never seemed anxious about the 
 sales of his nut-lock. He seemed to look on its future 
 as assured, and confided to Mr. Burton, with pleasing 
 naivete, his intention to make his income as a mechani- 
 cal engineer pay the expenses of establishing the nut- 
 lock business. He unfolded so many plans, intimated so 
 much already done in the creating of a demand, and ap- 
 peared so youthful, hopeful, cheerful, and unsophisti- 
 cated, that Mr. Burton was gradually disarmed. 
 
 Dick avoided final decisions as much as possible, 
 but managed to give the impression that he was eager 
 to land the National Steel Mills, if it would not with- 
 draw him from the general field. He seemed to desire 
 the control of his invention more than anything else, 
 and Mr. Burton was very well satisfied with the result 
 of their interview. 
 
 At last Dick looked at his watch and rose to his 
 feet, saying: "Well, I have to be going. I'm afraid 
 I'll be late as it is." 
 
 "But we haven't settled definitely as to our terms," 
 protested Mr. Burton good-humoredly. 
 
 "Why, I thought we had," replied Dick in surprise. 
 
 "Oh, we have arrived at a mutually agreeable under- 
 standing; but in business, you know, especially my kind 
 of business, a contract is regarded as the only thing 
 binding. Shall I have contracts prepared ?" 
 
 "Oh, you need not go to the bother," said Dick. "I'll 
 slap one together to-morrow, and bring it to your office
 
 JOCKEYING AN EXPERT 277 
 
 about four-thirty. Now, I must hurry. I am very 
 glad to have met you, Mr. Burton, and have enjoyed 
 your dinner thoroughly. Good night." 
 
 "Seems like a bright young fellow ; but too careless, 
 too careless," thought Mr. Burton, as he also prepared 
 to leave. 
 
 "Rather a decent old crustacean," thought Dick com- 
 placently, "but he wears too heavy armor. It hampers 
 him ; might do all right in a heavy fight, but in fencing 
 it makes him too slow. Well, I think I have his future 
 in my pocket ; but first, we'll see how the attorney ex- 
 traordinary for the Dickie Nut-Lock Company decides 
 on the possibilities of my contract." 
 
 He found Mulchaey in and eager. "I am only doing 
 assignments on a commission here, and have a right 
 to handle as much business of my own on the side as 
 I can," he explained. 
 
 "You make a pleasant noise to me," said Dick. 
 "Now, I want this kept secret, and, to make it easier 
 for you, I am going to pretend that it is merely a 
 supposititious case. I want you to draw up a contract 
 that would hold the imps of darkness, be written in 
 simple language, and contain the stipulations found 
 in this crude outline. Furthermore, this contract 
 must be in my office by to-morrow noon." 
 
 Mulchaey was a young man, but he had an old face. 
 His face did not light up, it clouded over. He adjusted 
 his glasses and read Dick's draft. Then he re-read 
 it, his brows drawn together. He folded it carefully 
 and held it in his hand, looking at it a few moments. 
 Then he opened it and read it again.
 
 2;3 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "I can do it," he said calmly, "but there are a lot of 
 things left out that would make it stronger " 
 
 "You leave them out of yours, too," said Dick. 
 
 "Yes, but they are necessary for definiteness." 
 
 "You don't say!" exclaimed Dick smiling. "Well, 
 you understand that this outline contains exactly what 
 I want and if you knock together a contract that will 
 stick, it means that you have done the best day's work 
 of your life, and you have a nice, long night to do it 
 in." 
 
 "All right, I'll make it stick, but I warn you in ad- 
 vance that the other party will not accept it." 
 
 "The other party thinks that I am weak-minded and 
 that I am drawing up the contract without legal advice 
 and what is more important, the other party is in a 
 sweat to get action. Perhaps you have not heard of the 
 panic, but we are in the midst of one, and whenever I 
 find a panic out alone this way, I capture it and make it 
 work for me. I won't bother you any longer as I 
 have another important matter to attend to. So long." 
 
 The other important matter was Mulligan's consti- 
 tutional, and Dick attended to it without delay and to 
 the complete satisfaction of himself and the redoubt- 
 able Mulligan, who had the pleasure of being insulted 
 by a dog larger than himself and of being permitted 
 to demonstrate his ability to achieve satisfaction 
 although not to the extent that, in his judgment, the 
 case demanded.
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 
 
 " I ^HE contract arrived before noon the next day, 
 * and after studying it for an hour, Dick decided 
 that the only thing it lacked was signatures, and had 
 Emil make two copies of it on his own stationery. 
 Promptly at four-thirty he took them around to Mr. 
 Burton and that gentleman read it carefully, touched 
 his bell to have it sent to the legal department, looked 
 into Dick's smiling face, and instead of having it re- 
 ported, he signed and sealed it with the corporation 
 stamp of the National Steel Mills. 
 
 "You will start your plant full force at once, will 
 you?" he asked. 
 
 "To-morrow," replied Dick promptly. "All my men 
 have had experience, and as the contract says, I shall 
 run a day and a night shift." 
 
 "All right," said Mr. Burton. "And now to en- 
 courage you, I'll tell you that this is a hurry-up job 
 on the Panama Canal. It has to be delivered by 
 October fifteenth, and if you will continue to supply 
 these nut-locks at the present price to ourselves, and 
 four times this price to all others, I think I can guar- 
 antee to take your entire output." 
 
 "That is mighty kind of you," said Dick heartily, 
 "and now I'll not bother you any longer." 
 
 279
 
 280 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 After Dick left, Mr. Burton re-read the contract. 
 "A queer article," he thought, "but it's typical of the 
 boy, himself. After he goes to the wall, I think I'll 
 offer him an opening, myself. He has the right stuff, 
 but lacks training. I wonder what turned him against 
 his uncle? I guess the old man froze him out all 
 right." 
 
 Dick's face was rather grim after leaving Burton's 
 office, and his fists were tightly clenched. "This is no 
 longer a joke," he was thinking. "Unless I'm a fool, I 
 have this situation on its own goal line and it's my 
 ball. Burton is in shallow water himself, or he would 
 not be so anxious about so small a contract, figured 
 down to the roots, too. Now, there's a man with a na- 
 tional reputation for astuteness, and yet he hasn't good 
 common sense. His own office boy ought to see that 
 there is mighty little profit in making nut-locks at the 
 price I named him an article which is sure to be in 
 universal demand and yet he meekly offers to take 
 my entire output at the same figure. Well, who's 
 next?" 
 
 Dick was in a thoughtful mood, which continued 
 after reaching his office, where Ivan was beginning his 
 preparations for supper. He put the contract into his 
 private safe, along with a jumbled assortment of cloth- 
 ing, and sat studying the situation until Ivan called him 
 to supper. 
 
 During the meal Dick was silent. Now that he had 
 accomplished the first step in his plan, the immensity of 
 his task took on a more distinct outline ; and he doubted 
 his ability to carry it through. But from thinking o
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 281 
 
 the father, he very naturally recalled the daughter, and, 
 hastily finishing his meal, he crossed the town and took 
 a ferry on his way to Minster. 
 
 He would have liked to have a talk with his uncle, 
 and took a turn about the boat ; but without meeting 
 any one he knew. All the way to Minster, his face was 
 grave ; but when he started up the back road, business 
 was thrown aside, and the rosy flag of romance was 
 run up. 
 
 He found the note in the oak tree and walked on to 
 his accustomed clump of bushes before reading it. By 
 a young moon he was able to see that still another line 
 had been added, and turned on his flash eagerly. 
 
 The line was : "I always did despise your judgment 
 on dogs, you know." 
 
 Dick turned off the current and pondered. This had 
 gone far enough, and he refused to continue firing off 
 blank epigrams ; but, after giving free rein to his out- 
 raged pride, he was forced to admit that he was ex- 
 tremely anxious to know the exact state of Kate's 
 mind. It was ages since he had seen her, and dark 
 ages, at that. 
 
 He could hardly bring himself to ask for a cessation 
 of hostilities, for the very good reason that it was him- 
 self who had commenced them. With a sigh denoting 
 undeserved ill-treatment, Dick rose in time to draw a 
 low, sharp bark from the opposite side of the road. 
 
 The next moment a voice said: "Hush, Bayard," 
 and the next found Dick crossing the road to the side 
 of the girl. 
 
 "How you frightened me!" she said.
 
 282 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "I am truly sorry," said Dick a little stiffly. 
 
 "What were you doing," she asked, "studying some 
 new bit of stupid impertinence ?" 
 
 Dicked wished that she was again in need of a 
 knightly rescuer. She always seemed at such an ad- 
 vantage in the piping times of peace ; while he flattered 
 himself that she had rather relied on him on that one 
 night of action. 
 
 "No," he answered portentiously, "I had just de- 
 cided that I would no longer engage in such nonsense." 
 
 " quoth the very old philosopher to the giddy young 
 thing," added the girl mockingly. "I don't think that 
 living in New York has improved you. When you were 
 a foolish boy I found you rather amusing ; but now that 
 premature old age has set her seal " 
 
 "I want to have a serious talk with you," interrupted 
 Dick, apparently determined to put himself in the worst 
 light possible. 
 
 "If we all had the same wants it would result in a 
 depressing stagnation," chanted the girl. "Do you sup- 
 pose that I came out in this glorious moonlight to be 
 bored?" 
 
 They had reached an open space, and the girl turned 
 so that the setting crescent shone on her face. Dick 
 looked at the face, and there were certain faint lines 
 which did not correspond to the lightness of her voice. 
 
 "You have missed me !" he cried in frank surprise. 
 
 "Rather often, I should judge, from the notes," re- 
 plied the girl, trying to turn it off. 
 
 "But why did you write such a mean note, after such 
 a bully one ?" asked the persistent Richard.
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 283 
 
 No comment was made, but strangely enough in the 
 excitement of their unexpected meeting, they had 
 turned about and were walking away from the Burton 
 gateway. 
 
 "For pity's sake, don't catechize !" exclaimed Kate. 
 "Why do men insist on asking the most impossible 
 questions, when a modicum of analysis would give the 
 correct answer?" 
 
 "Not this time," protested Dick. "If I were to ana- 
 lyze my head into a shredded biscuit it would not ex- 
 plain the inconsistency between the two notes." 
 
 "Oh, can't you see how it was?" 
 
 "Perfectly unreasonable any way you look at it," in- 
 sisted Dick. "One note, either one, might have been 
 sincere. Both could not be, and I had done nothing in 
 the meantime to cause any change in your feelings." 
 
 "Yes, you had you had read the first note." 
 
 "But you had written it to me, and had put it where 
 you knew I should get it." 
 
 "No, I feared that is, I was sure that you would 
 not look there any more. You had not looked for a 
 long time, you know. I hardly know why I did write 
 it; I enjoyed our boy and girl make-believe, and when 
 you went away I missed it; and, just as we pretend to 
 care for people in books, I pretended to care very much 
 for the one who had gone away and left me. It wasn't 
 really you : it was just a vague sort of ideal who looked 
 something like you." 
 
 "And then the second note was addressed to the real 
 me, and represented your real state of mind ?" 
 
 "Well, not exactly that, either. You see, I was pro-
 
 284 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 voked that you had read something that was scarcely 
 intended for you, and " 
 
 "And you didn't really want to see me again ?" 
 
 "It seems perfectly plain to me. I did want to see 
 you, but I did not want you to see the note and yet if 
 you were never coming back at all I should have want- 
 ed you to see the note; but it was entirely different 
 when you took it for granted that I should have writ- 
 ten that kind of note if I had known that you would 
 read it. Don't you see ?" 
 
 "Oh, let it go," said Dick. "I always was stupid; 
 let's begin again now But what was Lorrain doing 
 here?" 
 
 "If you were truly respectable, you would be heartily 
 ashamed of yourself for speaking of him as you did. 
 He is one of your friends, too." 
 
 "He is a thoughtful friend of himself, but of no one 
 else. Where on earth did you meet him ?" 
 
 "You don't have to pretend to be a boy; you are 
 one," said Kate. "But he is not a friend of mine, so 
 you might have done worse. Father met him in connec- 
 tion with business, and he came out here to see father, 
 and I met him incidentally. This was the very night 
 after you left. He always speaks kindly of you " 
 
 "Kindly humph !" broke in Dick. 
 
 "Yes, he says that you are good-natured and warm- 
 hearted and well-meaning; but that you are so im- 
 pulsive that your uncle could no longer put up with it." 
 
 "Cad!" said Dick explosively. "And this is your 
 new friend?" 
 
 "It is just lots of fun to tease you; no wonder I
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 285 
 
 miss you. Still, to be perfectly frank, he is not my 
 friend. He merely overtook me the night you saw us 
 together, and I have not seen him since. Father does 
 not like him either." 
 
 "I am glad you added that 'either.' Does your fa- 
 ther's estimate of a young man outweigh your own?" 
 Dick was wondering if he had not better let the Na- 
 tional Steel Mills off with nothing worse than a good 
 shaking. 
 
 "They have never clashed yet," answered Kate with 
 circumspection. "But I must turn back now. Auntie 
 and I are on the best of terms, and it is best to con- 
 tinue thus." 
 
 "How often may I come and see you?" asked Dick, 
 after they had started to return. 
 
 "I suppose I had better consult with father." 
 
 This remark producing no reply, she added : "We 
 couldn't possibly resume the boy and girl attitude, you 
 know." 
 
 "I don't want to," said Dick decisively. 
 
 "Do you mean to come right to the door and call 
 on me?" asked Kate stopping to look at him. They 
 looked into each other's eyes and then broke into merry 
 laughter. 
 
 "I am not the only child in this group," said Dick ; 
 "but honestly, I hate to flutter down to every-day, com- 
 monplace conventionality. I guess I must be part 
 
 Gipsy." 
 
 "I'm afraid I'm a good deal that way myself," ad- 
 mitted Kate; "but surely the adventure of the bear 
 den should have cured us both."
 
 286 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Oh, but that was a complication, the like of which 
 could never again occur. It was terrible while it lasted ; 
 but now that it is all over, won't you own up that it was 
 more fun than any stately affair you have ever par- 
 ticipated in ?" 
 
 "It really is funny to look back to; but I wouldn't 
 go through with it again for worlds." 
 
 They were very close to the gate now. The moon 
 was just visible, and they paused once more and looked 
 into each other's eyes, dim and soft and misty in the 
 thin light. 
 
 "But it never could happen again," said Dick assur- 
 ingly. 
 
 "But something else might." 
 
 "Nonsense," scoffed Dick. 
 
 "Kate, is that you?" asked a low, firm voice. 
 
 They stood in startled surprise, and so lightly does 
 civilization rest on us that their first impulse was to 
 run ; but Dick, being more the practised outlaw, was the 
 first to recover. 
 
 "Answer," he whispered, nudging her. 
 
 "Yes, Auntie," she answered, in a voice so composed 
 that it was unnaturally formal. 
 
 "Who is that with you?" 
 
 Again there was silence. Dick belonged to that 
 cheerful band of free-booters who bluff persistently 
 and hopefully, until they get caught at it ; and then cut 
 everything behind them and stake all on making their 
 bluff a reality. As it is a resourceful crew, it requires 
 ready tact if it is to be properly controlled. 
 
 "Tell her," he whispered commandingly.
 
 rl 
 
 
 
 Their first impulse was to run
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 287 
 
 "It is Mr. Bannington," replied Kate with sinking 
 heart and voice. 
 
 "What?" exclaimed Miss Burton, trying to see him 
 in the gloom, for the moon being young had been 
 forced to retire early. 
 
 The reaction had set in with rollicking force. Dick 
 walked up to the gate, turned on his flash and held it 
 with the bright disk shining on his face. "Don't you 
 remember me ?" he effused pleasantly, as though sight 
 of his face were sure to recall happy experiences. 
 
 Miss Burton was astonished; the face which stood 
 out so clearly before her was that of the inspector of 
 Bannington Park to whom she had once given a tip. It 
 was a frank, boyish face, and the eyes were dancing 
 merrily. There was something about the face, glowing 
 with the eternal youth of to-day, and yesterday, and 
 long, long ago, which sent strange, warm rays through 
 the crust of years which shielded her, lighting the in- 
 most recess of her heart and showing the little trinkets 
 of girlish sentiment, which, all unknown to herself, 
 were still kept and guarded as the great treasures of 
 her life. 
 
 The merry eyes, gentle and fearless, looked into hers 
 with good-humored challenge, the smiling lips seemed 
 ready to frame an answer in kind to any question she 
 might ask, to controvert any statement she might make. 
 So taken by surprise was she, and so curiously affected, 
 that she found difficulty in recovering her self-posses- 
 sion, usually so reliable. 
 
 "Certainly," she answered with reserve, which she 
 instinctively felt he would regard as affectation; and
 
 2S8 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 then she turned to the girl. "Katherine" her voice 
 had the true ring now "I think it time for you to 
 come in." 
 
 "Does that include me?" asked Dick brazenly. 
 
 "It was not intended to," answered Miss Burton, en- 
 joying the touch of her returned dignity. 
 
 "Then I wish to offer an amendment." 
 
 "You told me that you were the inspector of Ban- 
 nington Park," said Miss Burton accusingly. 
 
 "This is always the way the world uses me. I tried 
 to save you embarrassment, and you class it in as ordi- 
 nary subterfuge. I am Dick Bannington, nephew of 
 Richard, and an outcast on the face of the whole earth. 
 Let me come in and we'll talk it all over and decide on 
 what's to be done." 
 
 "I think it would be more agreeable to talk it over 
 privately," said Miss Burton. 
 
 "More agreeable, certainly," acquiesced Dick with 
 ponderous gravity; "but are we justified in permitting 
 agreeableness to be the determining point in the selec- 
 tion of our duties? No, no indeed." 
 
 Miss Burton was really very perturbed at Kate's 
 peculiar conduct, and, as the poise which requires years 
 to produce is not to be overturned utterly by the sight 
 of a boy's face smiling out at one from a circle of 
 white light, she again felt an unlimited capacity for the 
 giving of final decisions from which there was expected 
 to be no appeal. 
 
 Although it was too dark to have been detected, she 
 did not even smile. It was a firm conviction with her 
 that levity out of place was entitled to absolutely no
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 289 
 
 consideration. "I think, Mr. Bannington, that the 
 proper course would be for you to withdraw for the 
 present," she said rather distantly. "If the acquaint- 
 ance is to be resumed it must be on a more formal 
 basis." 
 
 "Yes, but I don't like that way," said Dick with sin- 
 cere seriousness this time. Now it was perfectly dark, 
 and a faint smile was allowed to curl Miss Burton's 
 lips at this speech : it was so boyishly boyish. "Kath- 
 erine as you are also Miss Burton, this is the simplest 
 way to distinguish you " 
 
 "You could say Miss Katherine, and even the use of 
 Miss Burton would not be likely to lead to complica- 
 tions," suggested Miss Burton with genteel satire. 
 
 "That's so, too," admitted Dick. "Well, Miss Kath- 
 erine knows plenty of reasons why our informal ac- 
 quaintance just at this time was more agreeable than 
 a strictly conventional acquaintance would have been. 
 I am just starting into business for myself and in a 
 sense it is competition with her father and my uncle 
 who do not evince that genial cordiality which is a dis- 
 tinctive by-product of the true neighborly spirit. So 
 you see how it is yourself." 
 
 Dick had talked himself into feeling perfectly at 
 home with Miss Burton, and saw no reason why she 
 should not have made similar advancement; but she 
 did not lightly change her attitude toward a subject, 
 and said without a flaw in her reserve: "Of course, if 
 you feel that an open acquaintance might lead to em- 
 barrassment, the only thing to do is to postpone the es- 
 tablishment of any acquaintance until this condition
 
 290 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 no longer exists. I must request that you will be good 
 enough to avoid meeting Miss Burton until you are 
 willing to call at her home in accordance with the rules 
 of propriety." 
 
 "Well, that suits me, all right," responded Dick. 
 "May I call to-morrow night?" 
 
 "I think that at least a week should elapse before 
 you call again, and in the meantime, you had better 
 consider carefully whether or not the call would be 
 pleasant for any of us. Good evening." 
 
 "Good evening," said Dick, taking off his hat, and 
 wishing that it were Miss Burton's head. Kate and 
 her aunt walked up the path to the house, and Dick 
 walked very slowly along the back road toward Min- 
 ster. 
 
 "She's as generous as a spider!" he exclaimed after 
 having walked a short distance. "She impresses me as 
 having been preserved in alcohol since the Middle 
 Ages, so that even a hasty comparison will convince the 
 skeptical that the world is surely getting better. She 
 evidently imagines that it is as necessary to guard and 
 protect an American girl of to-day, as it was to hover 
 about one of those animated dolls of the Romantic 
 Age. I wish auntie had taken her vacation, beginning 
 this afternoon. I can see where she is going to be a 
 disturbing element." 
 
 It was a fine, brisk night ; all the world seemed filled 
 with motion and little waves of energy kept entering 
 Dick's body until it was impossible for him to be down- 
 cast. He stepped out with a full, easy stride and his 
 next remark clearly indicated that an earthly existence
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 291 
 
 was again beginning to find favor in his sight. "I 
 wish old Mulligan was along," he said. 
 
 As the first street lamp in Minster, by this time a 
 familiar friend, rounded the curve, Dick paused, 
 looked up at the stars and back at the misty road. 
 "Where every prospect pleases, and only aunts are 
 vile," he said fervently, and pleased with his state of 
 mind, he whistled an inspiring march until the approach 
 of other wayfarers suggested the propriety of drawing 
 the modern veil across his joyous exuberance. 
 
 Dick was now following the markets, keeping close 
 watch over the affairs at Washington, and getting him- 
 self thoroughly into the spirit of genuine commercial- 
 ism. A week seemed beyond his patience, and he found 
 it impossible to keep his mind from speculating on the 
 outcome of Miss Burton's unsolicited administration 
 of his affairs. It was not hard for him to convince 
 himself that he had made a good impression on Mr. 
 Burton, but he greatly preferred to be under no obliga- 
 tions to that gentleman, and felt much aggrieved that 
 he could not continue his love-making according to the 
 established custom of the offspring of warring factions. 
 
 At the expiration of four days, he decided to strain 
 his forbearance no longer, and about nine o'clock in 
 the evening he started for the oak tree post-office. 
 He found a note and gleefully hurried up the road to 
 read it. By the aid of his electric torch, he read : "He 
 who fights and runs away, may live to run another 
 day; while he who stays may lose the fight and have 
 his sorrows double, for might is right and aunts are 
 bright and life is full of trouble."
 
 292 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "I wish she would write simple sense," he exclaimed 
 impatiently. "I suppose I ought to see exactly what 
 she means, but I don't. The way it looks to me is, 
 that she has tried to put over a clever tale which was 
 not plausible enough for auntie to swallow, auntie 
 came down with the heel of oppression, and henceforth 
 Richard is not considered essential to Katherine's hap- 
 piness. Well, peace to his ashes, I don't intend to give 
 up as long as I'm conscious. 
 
 "I haven't time to make a rhyme, for rhyming's 
 not my way ; but have no care, I'll sure be there, when 
 auntie gets too gay," he wrote beneath her lines and 
 remarked: "I call that rather neat, and this will let 
 her know that I am going to call a week to the minute 
 from the date that auntie herself set." 
 
 Slipping the note into the tree he walked back to 
 Minster, satisfied that his affairs were progressing 
 nicely. He knew it was going to be a strain on his 
 will power to keep his attention under control until 
 the remainder of the week had expired; but he had 
 an entirely new set of formulas, prepared especially 
 for Mr. Burton's benefit, and decided to spend most 
 of his time in practising Ivan on them. 
 
 This useful labor kept him employed until the night 
 of his call arrived. After deliberation, he decided to 
 wear a dinner coat, and his spirits rose prodigiously as 
 he dressed. Dressing always had a peculiar stimula- 
 tion for him; he recited fragments of poetry, he sang 
 fragments of song, and during the intervals he carried 
 on a conversation with Mulligan, one-sided, to be sure,
 
 STOPPED ON A COUNTRY ROAD 293 
 
 but learned and versatile, without being in any sense 
 a mental strain. 
 
 During the entire period consumed in dressing and 
 the period was a long one, not from any difficulty in 
 adjusting his raiment, but because he found it neces- 
 sary to gesture fluently well, during all this time, 
 Mulligan's mingled features were wreathed in a hide- 
 ously happy smile, and his twisted tail vibrated in 
 joyous unison with the waves of happiness which 
 emanated from his master. 
 
 Without the dog, all the sunny sweetness of Dick's 
 nature would have been confined until fermentation set 
 in, but as it was, it was gathered at the floodtide of 
 ripening, and he ran no risk of becoming a cynic at 
 heart. He longed for the dawning of the new social 
 orc'er, he thirsted for the moment when, stripped to the 
 waist, he should enter the ring to do battle with the 
 steel industry, but in spite of all this he was still im- 
 pulsive Dick Bannington, and it was lucky for him that 
 just at this time he had Mulligan as a safety-valve. 
 
 When all was finished, when the last little shrug- 
 gings to make his coat set gracefully had been given, 
 and the tie had received its final pat; when he had 
 shaken hands with himself before the mirror in con- 
 gratulation that what he called his "boundaries" were 
 still clear-cut and unbroken, then his face sobered for 
 the inevitable wrench. 
 
 "Mulligan," he said, seating himself and taking the 
 dog's head between his hands, "you know you can't 
 go, and there's no use turning that martyred, pleading
 
 294 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 light into those good brown eyes of yours. If you 
 were not sorry at all, I'd drop you out the window as 
 an ingrate, but you don't have to look heartbroken 
 when you know I am coming back sometime to-night 
 and that I'll take you for a walk. I wish you weren't 
 such an aristocrat. I wish you would look on Ivan and 
 Emil as equals and treat them as comrades, so that 
 they could take you for a jaunt now and again, but 
 just as you are, old chap, you are you ; and when every 
 paper in the country has a cartoon of your old pal 
 standing on the prostrate form of the steel monster, 
 I'll buy you the best porterhouse steak in this village, 
 and then we'll go into the woods on a little vacation 
 of our own. Good night, old scout."
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 
 
 IPvICK ran up the steps of the Burton mansion with 
 -*-' that pleasant feeling of solidarity which an active 
 circulation brings. Every little nerve was sending in 
 messages to say that all was well in its neighborhood, 
 and not to feel any hesitation about calling out the 
 reserve. This feeling was especially noticeable in his 
 eyes and was an infallible indication that he was 
 roundly fit. 
 
 Dick was only dimly conscious of this, he was busy 
 examining different openings to make his future wel- 
 come a certainty, but it cheered him to know that all 
 his enemies were on the outside. He was ready to meet 
 whatever fate had in store, and so he rang the bell 
 with vigor and assurance. 
 
 After having been shown into the drawing-room 
 he first examined his surroundings and was pleased to 
 find them tasty and restful. But it was not in the 
 nature of furnishings to occupy his attention long, and 
 he fell to wondering how many of the family he was 
 to meet and what their order of arrival would be. 
 
 He had not long to wonder, however, for Miss 
 Burton presently entered. She was dressed in dove 
 gray, and looked very correct, formidably correct. She 
 held her head at an angle which seemed to whisper 
 
 295
 
 296 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 warningly : "This is the final authority upon all mun- 
 dane subjects." 
 
 Dick was impressed, but not overawed. He had an 
 active intuition which was so often correct that he 
 placed great reliance upon its judgment, and as Miss 
 Burton entered, he rose and hastened to meet her, 
 keeping his eyes on hers. She gave him her hand 
 coldly but correctly and asked him to be seated. They 
 took seats some distance apart, and Dick continued to 
 give free play to his intuition. He was sure that she 
 was disposed to like him, and that the part which 
 most appealed to her was his jaunty rebellion against 
 the conventional. 
 
 Nothing but intuition could have brought such a 
 perfectly bizarre idea to a sane mind ; for as has already 
 been stated, Miss Burton was this evening correct, to 
 even a finer degree than her usual high standard. She 
 looked at Dick with that delicate indignation which 
 indicated that she was surprised at an intruder dis- 
 playing such ease of manner and Dick looked at her 
 in frank and smiling approval. 
 
 "You should wear that shade all the time," he ad- 
 vised, "it is wonderfully becoming." 
 
 She had expected he would immediately ask for 
 Kate and was prepared to smother with unwavering 
 promptness any intentions he might hold regarding her 
 ward. 
 
 "Thank you," she replied, smoothing her sleeve, "I 
 nearly always wear gray." 
 
 "Can you hear colors?" asked Dick. 
 
 "Hear colors?" she repeated with a little flush of
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 297 
 
 interest, which was immediately snuffed. "No, I can 
 not hear colors." 
 
 "Well, I can. Now, the sound of your dress is like 
 birds at dawn, not one bird but all of them, not singing, 
 you know, but twittering and cheeping and murmuring 
 together, the way birds do when the sun is beginning 
 to send the little breezes ahead to fan the haze away. 
 Are you fond of the outdoors?" 
 
 Miss Burton's astonishment grew; this young man 
 was not merely being polite to her, he paid all his at- 
 tention to her without glancing at the door or listening 
 for a footstep, and he was not talking to avoid an 
 embarrassing silence or a possibly disappointing sub- 
 ject. He was talking of things which interested him- 
 self and he had a companionable way of inviting her 
 to inspect the shells and bright pebbles which he had 
 picked up along the great shore of life. 
 
 "I am not quite so fond of it as I used to be. When 
 I was young, I was almost passionately fond of it." 
 
 "If you choose to look on yourself as old, I shall not 
 disagree with you, but I think it's foolish to grow old. 
 It shows such a narrow, selfish avoidance of humanity 
 as a race." 
 
 "I don't think I understand you." 
 "Well, if you no, I'll say if one, spends part of 
 each day in examining one's material body, one is sure 
 to note changes in it and get filled with this age 
 heresy, but if one keeps looking out for new inventions, 
 new lines of thought, and especially new social growth, 
 one sees that the race itself is just emerging from child- 
 hood, loses oneself in the great future of the race, for-
 
 298 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 gets one's own body entirely, until first thing one knows 
 one has to spank one's own grandchildren for think- 
 ing one isn't as up to date as they are." 
 
 "I presume there is a grain of truth in your philoso- 
 phy," admitted Miss Burton, smiling at Dick's closing 
 phrase delivered in the tone of serious argument. 
 
 "You try it as a prescription and see if there isn't 
 more than a grain of truth in it. Are you interested 
 in evolution?" 
 
 "Well, not deeply interested." 
 
 "You're the loser; it's great fun. Most people ob- 
 ject even to being closely related to the anthropoid apes, 
 but when you trace their family tree back through the 
 amphibians to the genuine fish, and next, to an indi- 
 vidual with nothing but a skin and a stomach, winding 
 up with a single cell as the original ancestor, they 
 make a noise like an emergency call." 
 
 "I must say that I am thankful that I do not have 
 to accept such a doctrine." 
 
 "Did you ever stop to think that if it were necessary 
 to indorse the natural laws before they would act, 
 we shouldn't be here at all? We affirm and deny and 
 go to war over mysteries, but it doesn't make any 
 difference except to our immediate relatives. The 
 natural forces work right along and if we don't learn 
 anything else during our entire term except that we 
 are nothing but innocent bystanders after all, we've 
 learned a lot" 
 
 "That rather does away with incentive, does it not?" 
 
 "I have a friend who is a Russian. He has a great 
 prejudice against orthodox religion, but his whole
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 299 
 
 life is a religious service. He is a mystic, and has to 
 fight against religion constantly. He has got the fallen 
 angels mixed up in his evolution and it's rather an. 
 interesting complication. He says that when the angels 
 rebelled, they were hurled out of Heaven with only 
 one faculty and the germ of eternal life. This one 
 faculty was a dim, misty memory of perfection. Get 
 it clearly now, just a germ of eternal life and a vague 
 idea of perfection to go with it. In order to make the 
 contrast complete, they were hurled to the very depths 
 of the inky ocean, where never a single ray of light 
 can penetrate ; and there in the slime they gathered to- 
 gether enough matter to make single cells apiece and 
 this gave the germ of life a means of expression, but 
 there was no way to express this idea of perfection, 
 and it is the irrepressible impulse to express ourselves 
 which is life's greatest dynamic. 
 
 "With this powerful yearning they continued to 
 grope about in the sea, moaning with the anguish of 
 their inability to express themselves. No, it was worse 
 than this, for a single cell has nothing to make a moan 
 with. It was as though all was paralyzed except the 
 single brain cell which held the conception of one's 
 strongest desire. They did not even have self-con- 
 sciousness. Well, they tossed about in the water until 
 some of them gathered into clusters. This was a start, 
 and from that on they clustered together until different 
 cells began to perform special functions. But when 
 this was done the newly formed organism had as its 
 true individuality, its control, the stricken soul of a 
 banished angel, while each of the component cells had
 
 300 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 nothing but a galvanic contact, through a nerve, with 
 the true ego. 
 
 "You see, the first lesson learned was interdepend- 
 ence, mutual assistance, and all the succeeding' lessons 
 have been along this line. Up the angels struggled, 
 along the stony path of self -development, until, with 
 the evolving of man, they have a very decent machine 
 to work with. When they help one another, they pro- 
 gress rapidly; when they fight and compete, they sink 
 back. Sooner or later experience will teach them 
 but the enlarging on this phase of it would take a week, 
 and perhaps it would weary you." 
 
 "I should not care for it all in one lesson," replied 
 Miss Burton, who had forgotten her mission, "but 
 really it is very interesting, and I had always supposed 
 evolution to be disgusting." 
 
 "This is not evolution ; it is merely advanced trans- 
 migration, the fitting of a mystery to a science by a 
 man who was cast in the religious mold. Evolution 
 works just the other way. There was no soul to begin 
 with and the development of functions has at the same 
 time produced the mind and soul." 
 
 "Oh, the soul must have come as a gift from above, 
 not as an outgrowth of mere matter ! I like the fallen 
 angel idea the better. There is something fascinatingly 
 grand in the thought of this long struggle back toward 
 their former position." 
 
 "I have done it!" cried Dick, slapping his fingers 
 upon his palm. 
 
 "Done what ?" asked Miss Burton, giving a nervous 
 start.
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 301 
 
 "Made you forget your dignity and all that, and 
 come right out and talk things over with me even if 
 I did have to start a long way from the subject I want 
 to talk about." 
 
 She answered his smile. "What made you think that 
 I would not be willing to come right out and talk 
 things over with you?" 
 
 "You did. You came into this room this evening 
 and looked down on me and said to yourself : 'Young 
 man, it is my duty to prove to you, in as few words as 
 possible, that you are not welcome and I think I 
 shall enjoy putting you back in your proper element 
 as quickly and firmly as possible/ That is what you 
 thought, but I wanted to take you out of yourself first, 
 so that we'd have a fair start. Now I am ready for 
 the verdict." 
 
 Miss Burton looked down at the floor. The shaded 
 lamps threw a soft light over her, and it suddenly oc- 
 curred to Dick that she was not at all bad looking. 
 Miss Burton was one of those women who, having 
 once yielded to their relatives in a matter of moment, 
 devote the balance of their lives silently to holding up 
 this compliance as the cause of all subsequent unhappi- 
 ness, no matter how remote it may be. And for i 
 that the unhappiness would not be sufficiently . 
 spicuous, develop an expression of martyr-like s 
 sion which serves as a perennial accusation agair 
 these unhappy and repentant relatives. 
 
 Even as the intoxicated man is seldom so far 
 the influence of drink that some part of his personality 
 is not aware of his irrational acts, so Miss Burton fully
 
 302 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 understood that her attitude was a species of torture 
 to those about her. Yet having deliberately chosen 
 this plan, consciousness of it only served to instruct her 
 in bringing it to a higher state of perfection. 
 
 But so artificial a warping of human beauty could 
 not endure the strong rays from Dick's normal person- 
 ality, and when Miss Burton let her eyes fall to the 
 floor, all the wasted years of her narrow life seemed 
 to crowd about her to clamor at the starvation with 
 which she had fed them. She could not understand her 
 feelings ; it was nothing he had said, it was not even 
 himself as an individual. It was the spirit of youth 
 which she had denied and which had returned when 
 least expected to taunt and disarm her. 
 
 "Let's go out into the moonlight," suggested Dick 
 after a minute's silence. "The night is beautiful, and 
 no matter what you have to say, it will be easier to 
 say it in the moonlight." 
 
 His voice had grown serious at the thought of all 
 this message might mean to him, for the continued 
 absence of Kate convinced him that the decision had 
 not been in his favor. 
 
 "Katherine's father insisted on her accompanying 
 him to New York to do some shopping, and plan some 
 recreation for the evening," explained Miss Burton. 
 
 She did not know that she was going to say it, and 
 afterward she did not know why she had said it, but 
 w r hen Dick said, "Thank you," very softly, she was 
 surprised to see how glad she was that she had said it. 
 
 "Well, shall we go outdoors?" he asked again. "It 
 is criminal to stay in the house such a night as this."
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 303 
 
 "Yes, I think it would be very enjoyable in the 
 moonlight," replied Miss Burton a little wistfully. "I 
 shall get a wrap at once." 
 
 "I am going bareheaded," announced the primitive 
 Richard. 
 
 "Then I am going bareheaded too," said the sedate 
 Miss Burton with a laugh which differed materially 
 from any which had passed her lips for years. 
 
 She picked up a white knitted scarf as they passed 
 through the hall and soon they were together in the 
 shadows of the trees. It seemed like a dream to her; 
 for so many years she had developed an affectation 
 that it had become a reality to herself and all about 
 her; and now the youth, her own youth, which she 
 had imprisoned long ago, had returned, laughing coyly, 
 thrilling with exhilaration at what was really an ad- 
 venture, and wonderful with the reincarnation of that 
 free girlish shyness which is a mixture of challenge, 
 inexperience, and the secretiveness of the wild thing 
 which watches the hunter from a thicket and half 
 hopes for discovery and the glorious chase afterward 
 with its own life as the prize. 
 
 And Dick was not playing a part either, at least not 
 purposely playing one. Miss Burton was an original 
 character possessing an individuality which interested 
 him, and it always afforded him a wealth of amusement 
 to rout old age and make old folk feel and act like 
 children. He was so fond of companionship that he 
 invariably made companions of those about him, age, 
 sex, nor species being allowed to interfere. 
 
 A stretch of smooth sward, flecked with moonlight,
 
 304 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 spread out before them. "I can beat you to that big 
 oak tree," cried Dick pointing. 
 
 She looked into his face a moment, and then without 
 a word, turned and ran with surprising lightness to- 
 ward the tree. Dick followed, drew alongside and 
 made the race a tie. 
 
 "Dear, dear," she said, catching her breath, "I 
 haven't run that far for it must be twenty years." 
 
 Her face was flushed, her eyes danced, and as Dick 
 noted them with the critical eye of a connoisseur, it 
 occurred to him that twenty years ago he would have 
 been sorely tempted to claim a prize at the end of the 
 race. 
 
 "You don't look much older than that yourself," 
 was what he said. "I'll tell you what I'd like to do, 
 I'd like to put a tick-tack on somebody's window. Are 
 you game?" 
 
 "Not that game," replied Miss Burton laughing it 
 was so easy to laugh this evening. "I never could 
 stand another run, and I am sure we'd be chased if you 
 were the leader." 
 
 "Well, come along, then, and we'll see if there is any 
 mischief to get into on these grounds; and as we walk, 
 I'll tell you something funny. For several days I 
 thought my uncle wanted me to marry you and I 
 was already head over heels in love with your niece." 
 
 "Marry me?" exclaimed Miss Burton, almost re- 
 covering her dignity. 
 
 "Yes, you see it was this way " and Dick swung 
 into a full account of all that had taken place since his 
 return.
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 305 
 
 "It certainly is lots of fun to be young," she said 
 with a sigh when at last he had finished. 
 
 "Yes, and the best of it is that it is the privilege of 
 all free people," added Dick. "Only the slaves of the 
 years get old. Now, for instance, here is a swing," he 
 said, pointing to one which had been erected to enter- 
 tain the Sunday-school class which a friend of Kate's 
 taught, and which had been allowed to remain. "Old 
 folk would pass this swing grunting and grumbling, 
 but we shall get in and take a ride." 
 
 "Oh, no, there is a limit to my folly," protested Miss 
 Burton ; but all the time she was being led toward the 
 swing and soon she was seated in it, and Dick was 
 pushing vigorously until the ropes creaked and Miss 
 Burton, with little gasps and gurgles, found herself 
 soaring up to the branches. 
 
 "Twenty," he counted, "and that's one for each 
 birthday, and you'll have to do your own pumping if 
 you want to ride any more." 
 
 The swing was permitted to wear out its own mo- 
 mentum, and when it at last hung at rest again, Dick's 
 hilarity had left him and he asked soberly: "Are you 
 my for-truly friend?" 
 
 "I am," replied Miss Burton, holding up her right 
 hand with affected solemnity. "I have to be, for if you 
 should tell all that I have done to-night, I should be 
 ashamed to meet people I know." 
 
 "Well, then, tell me the result of the conference." 
 
 "The result of the conference was that you had bet- 
 ter give up Katherine's acquaintance." 
 
 "Was it unanimous ?"
 
 306 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "I believe there was a dissenting opinion, but that 
 was the final verdict." 
 
 "Who conferred?" 
 
 "You ask entirely too many questions. Only Kath- 
 erine and myself conferred." 
 
 "Who gave the dissenting opinion?" 
 
 Miss Burton laughed, her laugh had become very 
 musical. "The one who knew you best," she said. 
 
 "Has anything happened since to modify the ver- 
 dict?" 
 
 Again she laughed. "Yes, the elder conferee has 
 toppled from her pedestal and has found out that she is 
 much like other men." 
 
 "Then I move you that the former verdict be set 
 aside and a new conferee be elected me being it." 
 
 "Well, what do you propose ?" 
 
 "I advise that the acquaintance, instead of being 
 discontinued, be cultivated." 
 
 "Now, I shall be perfectly frank with you," said 
 Miss Burton. "I am going to call you Dick." 
 
 "It has been tried before without fatal results." 
 
 "Well, Dick, Kate convinced me that under the cir- 
 cumstances, it would not be altogether fair to confide 
 in Mr. Burton." 
 
 "She has a wonderful lot of wisdom for a girl!" 
 exclaimed Dick enthusiastically. "Now, I'll tell you 
 why. You see I am only an experiment, I'm starting 
 a new business which is liable to interfere with Mr. 
 Burton's business. I have every reason to believe that 
 he is already prejudiced against the name of Banning- 
 ton, and it would be a square deal all around if Kate
 
 A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT 307 
 
 and I were left to figure it out ourselves, free from any 
 outside interference." 
 
 "A father's natural supervision can scarcely be called 
 outside interference," said Miss Burton with a friendly 
 smile. 
 
 "Well, in this case, a hang-over prejudice makes it 
 even worse." 
 
 "I honestly don't know what my duty is, now," 
 said Miss Burton. 
 
 "Why can't we meet with you for a chaperone? 
 Then there would only be one danger, and we'll have to 
 risk that." 
 
 "What danger ?" asked Miss Burton innocently. 
 
 "Kate is sure to become jealous." 
 
 Any one would have joined in Miss Burton's laugh- 
 ter. It was as silvery as the moonlight, and this in 
 spite of the fact that her little circle had supposed 
 that she had long ago forgotten how to laugh at all. 
 This world is nothing but a huge laboratory ; mix the 
 right chemicals together and the result is sure to be 
 beautiful and orderly, and Dick's personality was the 
 complement which Miss Burton had been lacking. 
 
 "If we try the experiment, I shall be very vigilant 
 *and circumspect," she said warningly. 
 
 "Well, then, that is settled," said Dick. 
 about how many times a week do you think I should 
 call?" 
 
 "Once, just once." 
 
 "Oh, tyranny! Twice, anyway." 
 
 "You may come the fourth night from this, as you 
 have not seen her this time; and now I must go in for
 
 308 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 my good name's sake. I am almost afraid to face 
 the butler as it is." 
 
 "Shall I call at the front or the back door?" asked 
 Dick. 
 
 "Such a question!" exclaimed Miss Burton, as they 
 walked toward the house. 
 
 "Well?" asked Dick after a long silence. 
 
 "If I were you, I should call first at the oak tree 
 post-office," said Miss Burton. 
 
 After Dick had slipped on his coat and was standing 
 hat in hand, he looked gravely into Miss Burton's 
 eyes. "I have enjoyed my first real call immensely. 
 I shall always be indebted to you, but I must say that 
 you have been a terrible hypocrite* If you do not know 
 what I mean, just look in your mirror before your 
 present mood leaves you and see how different you 
 really are from the way you have tried to appear." 
 
 He held her hand in a long, firm clasp at parting; 
 and Miss Burton did look in her mirror that night, and 
 furthermore had a long refreshing cry before she went 
 to sleep which was quite necessary for proper read- 
 justment. The tears were not of sorrow, and still there 
 was also a tinge of sadness in them; not at having 
 been found out, but in having been able to keep the real 
 self of her hidden so long.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 
 
 T TALF-PAST seven on the morning of the fifteenth 
 -- J- of October found Emil and Ivan transforming 
 the outer office at ninety-six Nathan Street from a 
 sleeping-breakfast-room into a neat and orderly com- 
 mercial bastion. The breakfast dishes had been 
 washed and Emil was putting them carefully into the 
 filing cabinet while Ivan folded the bedding and ar- 
 ranged it on the bunks back of the counter. 
 
 "This is but little like I expected," said Ivan, paus- 
 ing for a moment. "Here have I become a janitor, a 
 cook, a general office man, and a chamber maid and 
 I came to this country to fight for liberty." 
 
 "You are fighting for liberty," replied Emil, "but 
 you are one of those who can never learn that the most 
 successful fights are of the greatest silence. You have 
 become a leader among the Russian Jews. If the 
 present system continues long enough they will all the 
 money in the world control. Who the money controls 
 the world controls, but evolution is never enough for 
 you. You must have things come about through an 
 election or a battle before you are content. As I have 
 many times pointed out to you 
 
 A knock on the door interrupted Emil and Ivan 
 
 309
 
 310 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 opened it to find the iceman with a large chunk stand- 
 ing in the hall. 
 
 "Come but twice a week after this, and come ear- 
 lier," said Ivan, taking the ice and putting it into the 
 wall safe. 
 
 "You must be careful," cautioned Emil. "You are 
 knocking the paint off that safe and getting it all with 
 nicks covered." 
 
 "If my way of doing it does not satisfy you, you are 
 at liberty to do it yourself." 
 
 "I am the head bookkeeper, it would be improper," 
 replied Emil with dignity. 
 
 "You speak as though I were a janitor by inherit- 
 ance," retorted Ivan. "To one who believes that all 
 labor is equally honorable, how can any task be im- 
 proper ?" 
 
 "Unless one possess unusual powers of discrimina- 
 tion, it is extremely difficult to apply a grand and un- 
 deniable abstract truth. Under certain circumstances 
 I would cheerfully the ice into the safe put, but to our 
 present business such a course would be harmful." 
 
 Ivan had picked up the broom, but instead of using 
 it, he faced Emil and demanded: "Did we come to 
 this country to engage in business?" 
 
 "Not so," admitted Emil. "We came under false 
 pretensions. This young Bannington pretended to be 
 of great wealth possessed, and now " 
 
 "He was of great wealth possessed, he does not pre- 
 tend things. You know perfectly well how this has 
 come about and you are of a mean spirit to reproach 
 him. As for me, I shall do my best by him."
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 311 
 
 "You would do no more than I, myself, am ready to 
 do. If you are so thoughtful of his interests, why 
 are you not of the wall safe more careful. Does he 
 wish it known that it is of wood and an ice-box ?" 
 
 "This is a small matter," replied Ivan disdainfully, 
 "I am willing to give up my life for him." 
 
 "That is also a small matter," rejoined Emil. "You 
 were willing to give up your life for Russia, for suffer- 
 ing humanity, for well for almost any reason what- 
 ever, but after all, the giving up of a life is of small 
 effect. I should rather have to help me one living man 
 than a dozen dead ones. It is easy enough to say, my 
 life I am willing at his feet to lay down, but when it 
 comes to being careful of the ice-box day after day, it 
 becomes monotonous, and " 
 
 "There is nothing on earth so monotonous as the 
 constant growling of your voice," cried Ivan. "One 
 would think that a man's capacity in all things was to 
 be measured by the care he took of ice-boxes. You 
 do nothing all day but read in a book and complain bit- 
 terly at your lot. I study to see how I can best help 
 Dick out of his trouble. I tell you he is in deep trouble. 
 He tries to pass it off, but I can see into him. Last 
 night when he spoke at the meeting, did you notice 
 him? He was not bitter against the rich : he said that 
 it was impossible to judge by a man's clothes or posi- 
 tion or surroundings how heavy was the load he was 
 carrying, and that if socialism would only 
 
 the poor of their sufferings it would be a failure. He 
 laid the most stress on the terrific struggles of the busi- 
 ness men of to-day and how gladly they would lay
 
 312 THE STEERING WHEEL 1 
 
 down their responsibilities if they could. He is in 
 great need of money." 
 
 "That is true," admitted Emil thoughtfully. "We 
 have not had meat for four days except the Mulli- 
 gan, of course." 
 
 "Beans and rice are more nourishing than meat, but 
 dogs must have some meat," said Ivan loyally. 
 
 "If I could see what he is trying to do, I could stand 
 it better," said Emil, "but what sense is there in his 
 hiring those two crippled old men and making one 
 of them stay up all night to work?" 
 
 "I know not, but I am sure the reason is sufficient. 
 Hush, here he comes." 
 
 Dick opened the door with a vigorous swing and 
 entered with Mulligan. "This October air is like wine," 
 he exclaimed heartily. "Great stuff for the lungs 
 good for the stomach, too. I think I can almost di- 
 gest those flap-jacks now, Ivan, but they are dangerous 
 things for an amateur to fool with. You mean well, 
 I know, but your early Russian training is against you. 
 I fear you use the same recipe for flap- jacks that you 
 formerly used for bombs." 
 
 "A man can do but his best. Cooking is not my 
 gift. I came to this country willing to lay down my 
 
 "That's all right, Ivan. Some are born cooks, some 
 achieve cookery, and some have to exist on your con- 
 coctions; but when it comes to the laying down of a 
 life or a carpet, that is an entirely different matter. 
 Well, I must get to work." 
 
 Before Dick reached the door of his private office,
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 313 
 
 Emil stopped him. "I should like to have some work 
 to do. Here we have been for three months and not 
 more than a dozen customers." 
 
 "What difference does that make?" demanded Dick. 
 "We did not get any money from the few we did have, 
 so why wish to be bothered with more?" 
 
 "Yes," said Ivan earnestly, "but it seems a shame to 
 maintain expensive offices and not do any business. It 
 is a waste of both time and money." 
 
 "Nonsense," scoffed Dick. "When it comes to 
 money, none of us has any to waste, but when it comes 
 to time there is always a surplus anyway. Why, if 
 you are short of time, just go steal a diamond ring and 
 they'll probably give you ten years for it." 
 
 "Still, I should like some work that would keep me 
 busy," grumbled Emil. 
 
 "I sincerely sympathize with you," said Dick. "You 
 have an abundance of paper; why don't you write the 
 libretto of an up-to-date history. Now, listen ; things 
 have to come to a head pretty soon, and I want both 
 of you to keep busy if any customers come. Don't 
 notice them at first. Be proud, be haughty, that is 
 the way to give the impression of great prosperity. I 
 have written to a lot of people who owe me money. 
 If any one tries to pay you money, don't be in a hurry 
 to take it; make them identify themselves and if you 
 do take it, be surly about it we don't want any one 
 to think that we are green to the ways of business 
 but don't let them get away entirely. Use the delay 
 formula on all who ring up, and if any one is admitted
 
 3 i4 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 to my office, use the butt-in formula. Come, Mulli- 
 gan." 
 
 Dick entered his private office and proceeded to hunt 
 for a cigarette. Failing to find it he opened the door 
 and asked : "Ivan, when you pawned my Tuxedo, diet 
 you search the pockets?" 
 
 "I don't think I did," answered Ivan. 
 
 "Make it a rule never to pawn anything or give any- 
 thing away without first examining the pockets," said 
 Dick sternly. 
 
 He reentered his office and taking a perfecto from 
 a drawer in his desk, he smelled of it lovingly, then 
 dampened a blotter and put them both back into the 
 drawer. 
 
 In the meantime, Emil had taken down the huge 
 ledger, turned its blank pages and replaced it with 
 a sigh, after which he knocked on Dick's door and was 
 admitted. "Have you nothing you wish to know?" 
 he asked soberly. 
 
 "No, I am perfectly familiar with everything I 
 have," answered Dick with equal seriousness. 
 
 "I mean, is there nothing which you lack which you 
 wish?" 
 
 "Oh, many things, dear friend, many things; but 
 from what I know of you, I question your ability to 
 supply the demand." 
 
 "I should very much like some work," persisted Emil 
 sadly. 
 
 "Have you committed to memory the names of the 
 New York capitalists and the estimated size of their 
 fortunes?"
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 315 
 
 "Yes, indeed. Shall I name them alphabetically, 
 or according to the size of their fortunes?'' 
 
 "If you do either in my presence, I shall take your 
 life with great violence." Dick studied a moment and 
 then asked : "When was the dawn of civilization ?" 
 
 "According to the Bible, six thousand years ago, 
 because Adam was a civilized being to begin with ; but 
 if you really mean the dawn of civilization, it would 
 be safe to put it back at least thirty thousand years. 
 Morgan says " 
 
 "That's close enough. Now, I want to know the 
 value of one penny at six per cent, compound interest 
 from the dawn of Morgan's civilization. You need 
 not carry the answers out farther than mills. Try to 
 get this as soon as possible." 
 
 "Ah, that is something like a job !" exclaimed Emil, 
 rubbing his hands together delightedly as he returned 
 to the outer office. "Ah, Ivan, I now have a job which 
 is to my ability fitted." 
 
 "I care not," answered Ivan. "I have a new cook- 
 book and I am going to learn how to construct a suet 
 pudding." 
 
 Dick slowly filled and lighted a pipe. "Mulligan, 
 this has to explode pretty soon, there is no use talking. 
 They are trying to bluff me and they certainly deserve 
 credit, but, hang it, Mulligan, they have to give in. 
 Sooner or later, they have to give in. I always did like 
 a pipe better than a cigar, but I wish I were as strong 
 financially as this pipe is odoriferously." 
 
 He clasped his hands behind his head and leaned 
 back in his chair, mechanically placing his feet on the
 
 3i6 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 desk. His brows were drawn together and the lines 
 of long-continued strain were faintly visible. The three 
 past months had thumbed his face heavily, hardening 
 it and molding it to a cast of grim determination. The 
 old boyishness was still there, but it no longer waited 
 to spring forth, instead it appeared to come as an 
 instructed delegate. After a time he took a photograph 
 of Kate from a drawer and shading his eyes with the 
 palm of his left hand he gazed at it steadily. 
 
 The honk of a motor was heard in the street below, 
 and presently William Burton, very busy and very im- 
 portant, entered the outer office. Emil continued his 
 figuring and Ivan, whose book was hidden, appeared to 
 be filling out checks to pay a heap of bills which lay on 
 the desk before him. 
 
 Mr. Burton stamped his foot. "Well, when am I to 
 be waited on?" 
 
 "Whom do you wish to sec?" inquired Ivan 
 softly. 
 
 "I want to see that young Bannington." 
 
 "Have you an engagement with him?" 
 
 "Engagement? No! I am William Burton of the 
 National Steel Mills, and I don't have to have engage- 
 ments." 
 
 "He is very busy this morning and I doubt if he will 
 see you, but I'll take in your card," said Ivan gently 
 as he descended from his stool and opened the wicket 
 door which separated them. 
 
 "I don't carry a card," snapped Burton. "My face 
 is enough." 
 
 Ivan appeared as free from guile as a cold lizard.
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 317 
 
 "I am sorry, sir, but I can't take in your face and we 
 have strict orders " 
 
 "You simply say that I am here," roared Burton, 
 turning purple. 
 
 Ivan tiptoed to the door and knocked softly. After 
 waiting a moment he knocked a trifle more loudly. At 
 his third attempt he was admitted and announced Mr. 
 Burton without evincing the slightest excitement. 
 
 Dick rattled some papers in his hand for a moment 
 and said with polite impatience : "Present Mr. Burton 
 with my compliments and say that press of business 
 compels me to ask him to call again." 
 
 Ivan closed the door reverently and said to Mr. 
 Burton with formal independence : "Mr. Bannington's 
 compliments, sir, and he says that press of business 
 compels him to ask you to call again,." 
 
 Mr. Burton's face worked convulsively and his rapid 
 breathing was clearly audible. Many years had passed 
 since he had been thrown against the granite of a 
 modern business wall, and it was a shock which ef- 
 fectually loosened his habitual complacency. After 
 one has been accustomed to talking freely with the 
 brain of an industry, it is galling in the extreme to be 
 stopped by the mere hands. One can not argue with a 
 hand, one can not remonstrate with it, or revile it, or 
 threaten it, or even stamp one's feet and swear before it 
 without losing one's dignity, and the strain is some- 
 thing terrific, when one is not properly braced. 
 
 It would have been as nothing to one of the common 
 people, who never under any consideration come into 
 contact with the brain of an enterprise, but who trans-
 
 318 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 act all their affairs with mere hands, strong, unsympa- 
 thetic, and having nothing whatever to do in deciding 
 on the actions which they perform. This is really one 
 of the most humiliating features of modern life, this 
 constant dealing with the unseen and the immovable. 
 All our traffic has some of the secretiveness of the 
 "blind tiger." We rap on a door, a small wicket in it 
 opens and a hand reaches forth, we put some money in 
 the hand, and presently a package is given to us. We 
 open the package and curse bitterly because we have 
 been indecently done, but what is the fun in complain- 
 ing to a bare wall? One can not even insult a bare 
 wall. 
 
 And the wall between the brain of a corporation and 
 the common people is just as real as though it were 
 made of bronze. If you don't need credit, it is very 
 soothing to ask it of the credit man, but if you are 
 actually undergoing a severe financial depression, you 
 will get more sympathy and nourishment from a frozen 
 pump. The common people have been dealing with 
 automatic fixtures so long that they also have lost 
 their own identity. "The Common People" as a term, 
 no longer suggests the bone and sinew of the nation. 
 It suggests a two-legged insect with large glasses and 
 a worried look, and this appears to be the ideal up 
 to which most of us are striving to live. 
 
 But Mr. Burton did not feel like an invertebrate ; he 
 felt like the National Steel Mills, and to be calmly 
 held from his purpose by so frail a barrier as a tall, 
 foreign mystic, was to have his circulation increased 
 to the danger point and fill him with an anarchy
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 319 
 
 which was something more than theoretical. He wanted 
 to lay hands on something, but it was not there. He 
 had no quarrel with the creature before him and the 
 more expression he gave to his inner feelings, the more 
 he would lower himself. 
 
 He coughed, he gurgled, and then he whirled on his 
 heel and left the office, leaving the door standing wide, 
 lest in his haste he smash it to pieces. 
 
 Ivan closed the door with deliberation and shook his 
 head sorrowfully. "That one has plenty of money," 
 he said. "He does not even get in. The next one 
 will probably be after money, and he will receive a 
 royal welcome. I wish I knew what our business really 
 was." 
 
 The door opened and Lorrimer entered. "Is Mr. 
 Bannington in?" he asked deferentially. 
 
 "I shall see," answered Ivan distantly, as he noted 
 the worried look on Lorrimer's face and instantly sus- 
 pected that a financial stringency lay behind it. "Give 
 me your card, please." 
 
 Dick glanced at the card, placed the photograph back- 
 in the drawer, took out the perfecto, lighted it, ran his 
 fingers through his hair, fixed his attention on a com- 
 plicated blue-print, and said: "Admit him at once, 
 Ivan." 
 
 After Lorrimer had entered and closed the door 
 after him, Dick glanced up, nodded, and said : "Ah, 
 Mr. Lorrimer, my uncle's secretary, I believe." 
 
 "I am his secretary no longer. I was discharged th! 
 morning." 
 
 "Is that so? Well?"
 
 320 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "You are probably aware that we lost the bid by 
 ten thousand dollars. This also meant losing the other 
 government bids and an incalculable amount of indus- 
 trial business. It was a terrible blow to the plant 
 and your uncle became suspicious at the small amount 
 of difference between the bids. I had ten thousand dol- 
 lars saved, and yesterday when B. S. P. got down to 
 fifty, I bought. I told him of it at once, he immediately 
 inferred that this money was the amount of my bribe, 
 and this morning he discharged me." 
 
 "Did you say the stock was down to fifty?" 
 
 "Forty-eight, this morning, but it is worth as much 
 as ever if it can just hold out a few months longer." 
 
 "How do you make that out?" 
 
 "Times are already beginning to improve, steel con- 
 struction is still on the increase, and the future demand 
 will be beyond the physical capacity of the present 
 mills, but you understand that the war between the 
 National and our people is to the death. 
 
 "You see, when Burton watered a few years ago, 
 he put large blocks of stock among the big users of 
 steel and they naturally feel an interest in using his 
 output when the prices are the same. On the other 
 hand, there has never been a large amount of Banning- 
 ton stock on the market. Your uncle has some old- 
 fashioned notions, and while he has branched out 
 extensively, he has kept the plant itself pretty clean. 
 He dropped a lot of money in the International Ship 
 Syndicate a few years ago and the present panic has 
 kept him down, but as I say, if he will just hold out 
 until the reaction, he will win."
 
 ENTERING THE STRETCH 321 
 
 "How did you have the nerve to buy stock under 
 the present conditions?" 
 
 "Well your uncle is a peculiar man ; he often con- 
 sulted with me and sometimes took my advice. He was 
 to make me a director as soon as I had sufficient stock. 
 Of course he, himself, directs his directors, but still 
 I felt that I could bring stronger pressure to bear. I 
 have listed the contracts only awaiting the upward 
 trend, I have a plan for reinstating our credit, and 
 I" 
 
 "Well, you certainly did take an interest in your 
 work. Why did you come to see me?" 
 
 "To ask for employment. You have known of me for 
 several years, and that I was perfectly trusted. You 
 also know your uncle's eccentricities, and I felt sure 
 that you would either give me employment or assist 
 me in getting it. You perceive that my position is 
 extremely embarrassing, as I could not make a com- 
 plete explanation to any one but yourself." 
 
 "Well, I need just such a man as you," said Dick. 
 "What was your salary ?" 
 
 "I was getting three thousand, but of course I should 
 be willing to start in for half that if " 
 
 "I can pay as high wages as any one," interrupted 
 Dick with dignity, "but you must understand from the 
 very start that I run my own business in my own way. 
 If you can not control your tongue, you are of abso- 
 lutely no use to me. Things go on in this office every 
 day which I should not care to have discussed outside. 
 I may as well tell you in confidence that this is really 
 a test office. I am finding out my men and if they
 
 322 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 prove up, I place them in charge of special departments. 
 I hire men on a plan of my own also, furnishing them 
 with board and lodging and paying their salary out of 
 the annual dividends." 
 
 "Board and lodging? Why this is most irregular." 
 
 "My entire system is irregular," said Dick sternly. 
 "This method removes all temptation to gamble and 
 brings in the income in a lump sum ready for invest- 
 ment. Another thing which I forgot to mention is, 
 that I am never thankful for volunteer advice or com- 
 ment. Think right along, keep in constant practice 
 and be ready to hand out an opinion at a moment's 
 notice, but don't throw them at me. Never enter this 
 office without permission, and don't be too polite to 
 customers we have more now than we can attend to. 
 I shall make you my auditor. There is nothing press- 
 ing in your department at present and I wish that you 
 would write out in shorthand your full and complete 
 views on the present financial situation, especially with 
 regard to its bearing on the steel industry." 
 
 Dick paused and touched his bell. "Ivan," he said 
 as soon as the general office man had entered, "Mr. 
 Lorrimer is our new auditor. Provide him with desk 
 room, stationery, and bedding." 
 
 Dick whirled his chair, picked up the blue-print, and 
 Lorrimer followed Ivan into the outer office as one in 
 a daze. He was comparing Dick's eccentricities with 
 his uncle's and wondering what those of the next gen- 
 eration would be. 
 
 As soon as the door closed, Dick smothered the per- 
 fecto and replaced it in the drawer with evident regret.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 FORGING AHEAD 
 
 IVAN provided the new auditor with paper and Lor- 
 rimer immediately started to cover it with hiero- 
 glyphics. The subject interested him and he deter- 
 mined to make a report which would leave nothing to 
 be desired. Emil made very small figures and as he 
 followed the prosperous career of his fictitious penny, 
 his face was shrouded in concentration. He was not 
 aware that any addition had been made to the office 
 force. He was not even aware that any addition was 
 necessary. 
 
 Ivan, however, was worried. It seemed to him that 
 genuine money had been thrown away when Mr. Bur- 
 ton had been allowed to escape, and now that a new 
 recruit had been added to a company whose chief task 
 was finding something to do, he found it impossible to 
 resist questioning Dick's wisdom. Suddenly the tele- 
 phone rang, and he flew to the booth. It was Mr. Bur- 
 ton, and so eager was Ivan that he forgot formulas and 
 hurried to the door to the private office, upon which he 
 knocked vigorously. 
 
 Given permission to enter, he rushed in, and ex- 
 claimed : "Mr. Burton has rung, sir." 
 
 Dick looked at him in cold displeasure. "That is a 
 matter of small importance," he said severely ; "but it 
 
 323
 
 324 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 is of very grave importance to disobey instructions. 
 Why did you not use the tantalizing formula ?" 
 
 "He wanted to see you very bad this morning, sir, 
 and I thought" 
 
 "Thinking is not one of your duties while in my em- 
 ploy. I told you always to use the tantalizing formula 
 whenever a customer became anxious. Let me do all 
 the worrying, and things will turn out all right. Xew 
 go back and hang up the receiver. When he calls again 
 work through the tantalizing formula and then put me 
 on the wire, and next time don't bother me for special 
 instructions." 
 
 Twenty minutes later Dick was put on the wire after 
 listening to a conversation between Ivan and Mr. Bur- 
 ton which was very gratifying. As he talked his voice 
 was suave and sincere, but as he listened a grin of 
 wicked delight stole over his features. 
 
 "Yes, this is Mr. Bannington I am very sorry, but 
 I told my clerk to inform you that I was very busy 
 My dear man, I can not drop one client to take up an- 
 other It is impossible for me to give you an appoint- 
 ment for to-day Well, you are welcome to come and 
 take your chances, and you may not have to wait long; 
 but my business is such that it is impossible for me to 
 favor one at the expense of another." 
 
 "Xow it did him no good to hang up his receiver 
 with a bang. Come here, Mulligan. Mulligan, this 
 business is growing at a fearful rate. We have no vice- 
 president, and I am going to make you it. You will 
 make a dandy! Of course you are now entitled to a 
 private secretary; but for the present we will let that
 
 FORGING AHEAD 
 
 325 
 
 go, and you do not even have to occupy the private of- 
 fice of the V. P. That will do now, I am extremely 
 busy and you go under that table where I can't see you, 
 and have a good sleep. Blessed thing that a dog doesn't 
 wear out his appetite for sleep." 
 
 As Mulligan retired to his favorite resting-place, the 
 door of the outer office opened and Kate Burton en- 
 tered in a hesitating manner. Her face was both pale 
 and flushed, and her eyes unusually bright. It was evi- 
 dent that she was enjoying the luxury of an adventure 
 not quite wicked and not quite proper. She closed the 
 door softly and looked at the three men behind their 
 wire screen. Emil continued to make figures, Lorrimer 
 continued to make hooks and dashes, and Ivan con- 
 tinued to lift dummy bills from a pile, scan them care- 
 fully, and enter them in a book. Kate was a little awed 
 at this evidence of industrial strenuosity, and hesitated 
 at disturbing it. 
 
 "I beg your pardon," she said finally; "but is this 
 Dick's I mean Mr. Bannington's office." 
 
 Ivan raised his solemn eyes and instantly recognized 
 the girl who had forced him to flee through a private 
 estate at midnight, wearing the garb of a female cook. 
 
 His glance accused her. "Have you an engage- 
 ment ?" he asked severely. 
 
 "Why it is not absolutely Yes, certainly I have an 
 engagement," answered Kate in confusion. 
 
 "Give me your card and I shall take it in to him," 
 said Ivan coldly. 
 
 After a deal of fumbling Kate procured a card wr, 
 she handed to Ivan. Ivan bore the card to the president
 
 326 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 of the Dickie Nut-lock Company, in evident disap- 
 proval; but the moment Dick glanced at it, he sprang 
 to his feet. "Ivan," he exclaimed in a suppressed voice, 
 "is there no limit to your stupidity ! Now, don't let any 
 one bother us. Step right in, Miss Burton." 
 
 "Oh, Dick," cried Kate as soon as Ivan had removed 
 his reproachful countenance, "I can never in the world 
 be conventional again. It seems to me that I always 
 meet you where I shouldn't." 
 
 "Is that so ?" asked Dick in surprise. "Now it never 
 struck me that way. It always seems to me that I never 
 meet you half as often as I really should. The fact 
 is" 
 
 "Mercy, Dick, but this is a terrible place to have an 
 office," interrupted Kate, going to the window and 
 gazing out. 
 
 "Yea, verily," answered Dick flourishing his hand; 
 "but what a super-dandy office it is when you once get 
 inside." 
 
 "It is a most dreadful neighborhood." 
 
 "Makes the contrast all the sharper." 
 
 "I almost fainted on my way here. The odors, Dick, 
 are perfectly shocking." 
 
 "Merely prejudice," said Dick, taking down a bat- 
 tered volume which he had picked up in a second-hand 
 store. "Listen to words of wisdom. 'It is an astonish- 
 ing fact to many, but over-powering evidence seems to 
 prove that rank odors are generally wholesome. This 
 fact has been known by stockmen for years and in 
 many large stables, male goats are kept to preserve the 
 health of the horses and cattle ' "
 
 FORGING AHEAD 327 
 
 "Dick! where did you ever get such a horrid book? 
 Well, anyway, I hope it will never be necessary to pre- 
 serve my health, by living in this neighborhood." 
 
 "How in the world did you get here?" asked Dick 
 with interest. 
 
 "I walked; I did, indeed. I started in my car; but 
 when I came to this neighborhood I sent it back a 
 ways. I feared we should either slay some of the chil- 
 dren ; or some of the adults would slay us. So I jour- 
 neyed hither with as much humility as possible, and 
 was prepared to claim the privileges of a settlement- 
 worker, had I been molested." 
 
 "You're the genuine heroine, you are. I knew that 
 you would come if I made it a test of courage." 
 
 "Well, now that I am here, what is the important 
 business ?" 
 
 "I want to know why it is that I have missed you the 
 last three times." 
 
 "Father has a very strong prejudice against you. I 
 never told you about it ; but he saw you the last time 
 that I did. He asked me who you were the next morn- 
 ing and I told him. We had quite a scene. He has not 
 actually forbidden my seeing you because he knows 
 that that would make me want to ; but he has made it 
 a point to monopolize the evenings on which you were 
 to call." 
 
 "I knew he was prejudiced and I humored him in it. 
 The young should always do this. Of course we know 
 better, but we should always act as if it were impossible 
 for our elders to make a mistake ; .but there is a limit. 
 I am willing to see you at any time and in any place ;
 
 328 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 but I positively must see you, and he will have to ad- 
 just himself to the situation." 
 
 "Oh, Dick, don't let's talk about such things in a 
 business office. You said in your message that you had 
 an extremely important matter to discuss with me." 
 
 "If you can think of any matter more important 
 than the selection of your partner for the balance of 
 this earth-life, you now have the right to introduce the 
 subject." 
 
 "Dick, you are perfectly incorrigible! You know 
 that if I had thought you would talk like this, I should 
 not have come." 
 
 Without removing his eyes from hers, Dick at- 
 tempted to take her hand. Without appearing to be 
 conscious of this, Kate managed to keep her hand free. 
 "Well, now that you're here," said Dick tenderly, "I 
 want you to answer me. Kate, you know that you are 
 the only girl I ever loved " a vigorous knock came at 
 the door "Get away from that door" to Kate "I 
 want you to tell me " 
 
 "You had better see who it was that knocked," said 
 Kate nervously. 
 
 Dick stalked to the door and opened it. Ivan was 
 trying to dismiss a young man who carried a book. "It 
 is the bill for the ice, sir," he explained to Dick. 
 
 "You know I never pay bills at this time," said Dick 
 angrily. "Tell him to call the first of the month." 
 
 "But this is for last month and you told him to be 
 sure to call to-day," persisted Ivan. 
 
 "This is preposterous !" said Dick impatiently as he 
 stepped into the outer office and closed the door after
 
 FORGING AHEAD 329 
 
 him. "Now if you three can't put out the next boy that 
 intrudes, why send in a riot call, but don't bother me." 
 
 Dick slammed the door after him as he hurried into 
 his office to gaze reproachfully on Kate's laughing face. 
 "Oh, stop laughing!" he protested. "This is the most 
 serious thing in life." 
 
 "I know that the paying of an ice bill is a serious 
 matter and the refusal to pay one almost equally so; 
 but I just can't stop laughing. It is too funny." 
 
 "I didn't mean that. I mean that my proposal " 
 
 "You might have known that a proposal in an office 
 would be simply a burlesque." 
 
 "Then tell me when I may see you when are you 
 going back ?" 
 
 "I am stopping at the Holland for a few days to do 
 some shopping. Father has plans for every evening, 
 and I think there is a very deep method in his glad- 
 ness." 
 
 Dick was too intense to be diplomatic. He took her 
 hand and said tenderly : "Won't you give me this little 
 hand?" 
 
 "Dick, I hate to be unkind," replied Kate, her eyes 
 dancing; "but I fear I can't even lend it. I shall have 
 to hold up my skirt with one hand ; and I fear I do 
 not wish to speak slightingly of your chosen neighbors 
 but I fear I shall have to hold my nose with the 
 other." 
 
 Dick drew himself up stiffly, but failed to inspire 
 awe. The girl patted him softly on the cheek with her 
 gloved hand and ran lightly from the office. 
 
 Dick stood for a moment biting his lips and then as
 
 330 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the tingling in his cheek began to assume the pleasant 
 reaction of a caress instead of a slap, he rushed through 
 the outer office and throwing the outer door wide, 
 looked dejectedly into the vacant hall. 
 
 "Birkhead," he cried whirling toward his industrious 
 bookkeeper, "I want you to follow that young lady and 
 see that no one bothers her." 
 
 Emil did not look up and Dick stamped his foot, ex- 
 claiming, "What's the matter with you?" 
 
 "I beg your pardon, sir," said Emil, glancing up in 
 surprise; "but I have only figured it down two thou- 
 sand years." 
 
 "Figured what down?" 
 
 "Why the compound interest on one penny at six 
 per" 
 
 "Oh, let that go for a few moments and follow that 
 young lady." 
 
 "What young lady?" 
 
 Dick drew a long breath and said calmly : "You go, 
 Ivan. Go on with the interest, Emil. I want the result 
 as soon as possible. How are you getting on with your 
 article, Mr. Lorrimer?" 
 
 "I inferred that you wanted a fairly comprehensive 
 view, and have just finished sketching an outline of the 
 general European conditions prior to the invention of 
 Bessemer steel. From this period I wish to lead grad- 
 ually" 
 
 "That is correct. I have no use for pastels. When 
 you do anything for me I want a radiograph." 
 
 Dick reentered his office and took out the photo- 
 graph. He looked at it a long time, shaking his head
 
 FORGING AHEAD 331 
 
 thoughtfully. "If I had it to do over again," he re- 
 marked at last, "I should never let her know one- 
 fifteenth part how much I love her. Then she wouldn't 
 be so blooming independent. But don't she head up 
 well! Oh, she's a queen, she certainly is!" 
 
 In answer to a knock Ivan was admitted and an- 
 nounced, "She got into a cab, sir." 
 
 "All right," replied Dick, keeping his attention fixed 
 on a bridge sketch under which he had thrust the photo- 
 graph. 
 
 As Ivan closed the door behind him, Miss Burton 
 entered the outer door of the office. "Where is this 
 young Bannington person ?" she demanded. 
 
 "Mr. Bannington is very busy to-day, you will have 
 
 to" 
 
 "Now, that will do. Announce Miss Burton." 
 Ivan did not approve of women, especially those who 
 came into contact with Dick ; but there was an assur- 
 ance about Miss Burton which forbade delay. 
 
 Most of Ivan's moods were dog-like ; he was faith- 
 ful to an extreme, but in performing a repugnant serv- 
 ice he made it perfectly clear that it was contrary t 
 the dictates of his own conscience, and that his own 
 conscience was absolutely reliable. He walked slowly 
 to the door and gave three knocks with long intervals 
 between. This was a signal that the visitor was 
 small importance; but Dick was not paying at* 
 and said, "Come in." 
 
 Ivan came up close to Dick and whispered, 
 
 Burton." 
 
 Instantly Dick sprang from his chair and hurried
 
 332 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the door, radiant with joy. "Kate!" he cried as he 
 opened it. 
 
 "No, it is not Kate," said Miss Burton coldly. After 
 entering, she folded her arms and waited until Ivan 
 had withdrawn; "and furthermore, the name of the 
 young lady to whom you have just referred is Kath- 
 erine." 
 
 Dick reached forth his hands, crossing them en route, 
 took one of Miss Burton's in each of his and before she 
 was fully aware of it was shaking them heartily. 
 "Well, I'm sure I'm just as glad to see you," he said. 
 "This is your first visit here. Take a seat." 
 
 "And it will be my last," answered Miss Burton, 
 striving to overcome the softening effect which he al- 
 ways had on her. "This neighborhood is frightful. I 
 can't see why you chose it." 
 
 "Bless you, I didn't choose it. It developed its pres- 
 ent state without help of mine in fact was here be- 
 fore I was, so that I can not claim any credit for it; 
 but it is so quaint and picturesque, you know, that 
 really I find it most interesting. Civilization in the 
 rough, man in the making, as it were. Won't you be 
 seated ? There's a Chinese laundry in the next building 
 and I'll send out for some tea. They always have it 
 ready-made, you know. This is a comfortable chair 
 there, that's better." 
 
 "Thank you. No, certainly not. I should never think 
 of drinking tea made in a laundry! Why, the odors in 
 these streets are enough " 
 
 "Great, aren't they?" interrupted Dick, beaming with 
 pride. "I have a pipe here which is pretty good along
 
 FORGING AHEAD 333 
 
 that line. Perhaps you would like to have me run it a 
 while?" 
 
 "I do wish you would," said Miss Burton, fanning 
 herself. "It will be most refreshing after those villain- 
 ous streets." 
 
 "I'm glad you like the streets they made a great hit 
 with me, too. I don't care for anything that is timid 
 and diffident. I like a thing to be strong and self-reliant 
 and positive. Now, the perfumes of this neighborhood 
 do not attempt to deceive you, they reach forth and 
 grab you by the nose and shout their message clearly 
 and distinctly. Of course one can not approve of them 
 entirely ; but there is something winsome in their very 
 heartiness." 
 
 "Winsome!" repeated Miss Burton, laughing. 
 "Dick, you always disarm me with your nonsense ; but 
 I came here to scold you severely, and I intend to do 
 it." 
 
 "Oh, fiddle," scoffed Dick; "let's not waste this de- 
 licious tete-a-tete by rude and crushing invective. Let's 
 just have one of our sociable chats, and then after you 
 have gone you can either write me the scolding, or tele- 
 phone it to central. They always need one. Don't you 
 think this a swell little office after you get here?" 
 
 "You certainly do look prosperous but Dick Ban- 
 nington, I am not going to allow you to wheedle me 
 this time. This is a very serious matter." 
 
 "My dear Aunt Emma you know you told me once 
 to call you that ; I think it was to prevent my falling 
 in love with you while I admit that the condition of 
 the streets is a very serious matter, I think that your
 
 334 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 attitude is unjust. I am not the street commissioner. 
 His office" 
 
 "I am not referring to the streets; but to your en- 
 ticing my silly niece into such a neighborhood." 
 
 "I have to see her, some way or another. You know 
 that," asserted Dick. 
 
 "I know that you have made my life a burden the 
 last three months. I have tried to do my duty ; but you 
 always manage to circumvent me by artifice or pure 
 brazen effrontery." 
 
 "Yes, I perfectly agree with you," assented Dick 
 gravely. "When Fate seems to select two young people 
 and make of them a perfect match, it is generally use- 
 less to attempt to spoil the union father or no father." 
 
 "Fathers have their rights, too. And you are so 
 flighty and impulsive that I do not approve your being 
 alone with a young girl." 
 
 "I know it and I tried to spare you worry. Kate 
 should not have told you; but you never came to any 
 harm through being alone with me." Dick smiled 
 reminiscently. "Do you remember the very first night 
 I came to see you and we walked in the moonlight 
 walked? we raced, and when we came to the swing, I 
 swang you swang does not sound just right " 
 
 "It is swung," said Miss Burton, laughing softly. 
 "Oh, but that really was fun!" Miss Burton paused 
 and sobered. "But I have no doubt it was terribly silly ; 
 and then I am not a young girl." 
 
 "Then I am blind on the inside. Why, your heart is 
 so young that you still believe in fairies. And what's a 
 gray hair more or less, but a certificate from old banker
 
 FORGING AHEAD 335 
 
 Time showing a good year to your credit. Wrinkles 
 and gray are only tendrils of ivy on the outer wall ; but 
 as long as the heart is young, youth still holds the 
 castle." 
 
 "Ah, Dick Dick ; it would take more than wrinkles 
 and gray hair to keep you out of a woman's heart." 
 She paused, dropped her eyes to the carpet, and re- 
 sumed in a low tone, "I had my own love story once. 
 Perhaps that is why I have not been more strict with 
 Katherine. He was just such a careless, eager young 
 fellow as you are and they did not understand him, 
 they thought him bad and wild just because he had high 
 spirits. I yielded to the wishes of my family, and he 
 went away and, and but after all, it was easier for 
 him than for me." 
 
 Dick could not see her eyes, but from the burning 
 tightness above his own, he knew just how they felt, 
 and he cleared his throat, knowing no way to express 
 his sympathy. 
 
 "But this is all nonsense," said Miss Burton, shrug- 
 ging her shoulders. "I came here to scold you, and I 
 intend to do it. It was very, very wrong of you to ask 
 her to come here; and you must never do it again." 
 
 "I'm afraid you're right," said Dick sadly, and then 
 added hopefully: "but you'll come again some time, 
 won't you?" 
 
 "Much you care about me, you broker of blarney." 
 said Miss Burton rising. "But you are a dear good boy 
 after all, and I truly wish you well : and I don't be- 
 lieve that Kate could do better than to take you." 
 
 "And you'll help us, won't you ?"
 
 336 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Miss Burton shook her head. "I'm afraid I shall," 
 she confessed. 
 
 "Then I wouldn't care if she had seven fathers!" 
 cried Dick, taking both her hands, swinging them wide 
 apart, and giving her an unexpected kiss. 
 
 For a moment Miss Burton strove to look indignant, 
 and then she smiled and gave Dick a box on the ear. 
 "I really must hurry or I shall be late for luncheon," 
 she said, starting toward the door. 
 
 "Why not take luncheon with me?" asked Dick, 
 opening the door. 
 
 "I should never dare without a chaperone," replied 
 Miss Burton as she passed through the outer office. As 
 Dick opened the door for her, she looked caressingly 
 into his eyes will the scientists ever be able to classify 
 the great variety of wonderful rays which dart from 
 eye to eye? "Good-by, you bad boy," she said softly. 
 
 "And good-by, you dear lady," answered Dick. 
 
 He returned to his private office and it seemed rilled 
 with a sweet perfume and a stimulating warmth. "She 
 is one of the elect!" he said fervently.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 
 
 sat in his chair a few moments and then 
 touched the bell. "Ivan," he said sternly, as soon 
 as his satellite presented himself, "never let any one else 
 present a bill to me." 
 
 "He has been here many times. We still need ice. I 
 am sure " 
 
 "Do not bother me with explanations. Next time if 
 there is any money in the drawer pay him; if not, get 
 rid of him. That is simple enough. That is all." 
 
 Ivan had scarcely taken his perch on the stool next to 
 the telephone booth, before Claude Lorrain entered. 
 He looked superciliously at the three clerks. Emil had 
 not noticed his entrance, Lorrimer had and now held 
 his head close to his manuscript, Ivan returned the gaze 
 with cold disdain. 
 
 "Is Dick in?" asked Lorrain. 
 
 "If you will kindly give me your card," replied Ivan 
 distantly, "I shall take it in to Mr. Bannington." 
 
 "Oh, my soul, Ivan, you make an admirable lackey!" 
 
 Ivan made no response, but started to sort the pile of 
 bills as though no stranger were present. 
 
 "Are you going to announce me?" demanded Lor- 
 rain. 
 
 337
 
 338 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "What name?" asked Ivan. 
 
 "This nonsense has gone far enough. Announce 
 me." 
 
 "I have my duties to attend to. If you wish to see 
 Mr. Bannington, you must give me your name." 
 
 Lorrain scowled and clenched his fist. "Announce 
 Mr. Lorrain," he said angrily. 
 
 Ivan announced him and Dick in some surprise ad- 
 mitted him. Lorrain showed signs of recent dissipa- 
 tion and Dick was surprised to note a wave of fierce 
 resentment rising in his own breast. 
 
 "Allow me to congratulate you on the excellent dis- 
 cipline of your staff," said Lorrain. 
 
 "Thanks," said Dick stiffly. "I haven't seen much of 
 you lately." 
 
 "No, I had a lucky streak a while back, and since 
 then I have been playing at business, the same as your- 
 self." 
 
 "Not much play about mine. Where is your office?" 
 
 "I have not opened an office. I merely buy and sell 
 through my broker." 
 
 "Margins?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "That's not business merely sport." 
 
 "I found it profitable as long as Burton and I were 
 in touch ; but he was too overbearing, and so I cut him 
 out. Now I have some holdings which are getting 
 touched up and I want you to advance me a little to 
 cover." 
 
 "You know exactly how I am fixed, Lorrain. I really 
 am not in a position to lend you ten dollars."
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 339 
 
 Lorrain glanced at the rich furnishings. "I can't 
 help but think that you are bluffing," he said skeptically. 
 "There is so much of it done in this uncivilized coun- 
 try. It is partially your fault, too. I bought Banning- 
 ton stock for a rally and it is still going down." 
 
 Lorrain could not well have chosen a keener method 
 of irritating Dick, and his black eyes danced as he saw 
 the effect of his thrust. "I am sorry ; but I can not help 
 it," said Dick with sincere simplicity. 
 
 "Well, I'll look a little further," said Lorrain lightly. 
 "You certainly have pleasant offices here. I congratu- 
 late you on cutting out that socialism nonsense and 
 going back to your own class." 
 
 "I do not consider it nonsense now any more than I 
 ever did. It is my circumstances, not my principles 
 which have changed." 
 
 "Always the bluff, always the bluff," laughed Lor- 
 rain. "You Americans seem to think the rest of us are 
 as crude as yourselves ; but my personal experience is 
 that the principles keep close step with the circum- 
 stance. It is no use, Richard ; universal equality is all 
 very well for the riff-raff like you have in the outer 
 office but for men of birth, bah !" 
 
 Dick picked up some papers and glanced at them: 
 "You must excuse me, Lorrain, but I am extremely 
 busy," he said in an even tone. 
 
 "Certainly," answered Lorrain as he arranged his 
 coat collar. "Well, good-by, old chap. Better luck 
 soon." 
 
 He strolled into the outer office, paused in its center, 
 lighted a cigarette, spun the match contemptuously,
 
 340 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 toward the three clerks who had not looked up and 
 walked jauntily into the hall, leaving the door open 
 behind him. 
 
 "I do not believe in bombs," remarked Ivan as he 
 descended from his stool to close the door, "but if that 
 man should hold one in his hand until it went off, I 
 should say that the bomb had acted in a perfectly jus- 
 tifiable manner." 
 
 Just as Ivan reached the door, a short, plump man 
 with quick, energetic movements, entered. "I want to 
 see some nut-locks," he said promptly. 
 
 Ivan stared at him. "Nut-locks ?" he repeated. 
 
 "Certainly," answered the new-comer. "Isn't this the 
 Dickie Nut-lock Company?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied Ivan politely as he began to ap- 
 prehend that the man was a genuine customer. "What 
 business are you in, sir ?" 
 
 "Smith Pump Company, Syracuse manufacture 
 fanning mills, incubators, extension ladders, and all 
 forms of novelties," answered the man. 
 
 "Have you a card ?" 
 
 "I certainly have here it is." 
 
 "I shall take it in to the president," said Ivan. "Just 
 take a seat." 
 
 Dick read the card with keen interest. "I believe it 
 i? a real customer, Ivan," he said. "Business is picking 
 up." He took his perfecto from its resting-place, 
 lighted it, bunched the papers in front of him and said : 
 "Admit the gentleman, Ivan." 
 
 Dick waited until his visitor had time to inspect the 
 room, then laid down the paper he was examining, and
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 341 
 
 said cordially : "How do you do, Mr. Smith ? What 
 can I do for you ?" 
 
 "I see you are busy, and I'll get right down to busi- 
 ness," said the genuine customer in a strictly business- 
 like tone. "I use a heap of bolts in the course of a year 
 and I have lots of bother from nuts coming off, some- 
 times get caught in cogs and things, and I have to re- 
 pair free. I want you to make me a price on nut-locks." 
 
 Acting on general orders, Ivan had taken the "Gen- 
 uine Customer Formula" into the telephone booth with 
 him, and at this juncture he rang the telephone on 
 Dick's desk. 
 
 "Hello," said Dick. "Yes. No, they are not on the 
 market just at present." He turned to his customer: 
 "I shall keep your card and communicate with you as 
 soon as we catch up with back orders" again the tele- 
 phone "I have prepared plans for that bridge already 
 No, a cantilever in this position is much better I am 
 too busy to see you to-day next Wednesday morn- 
 
 ing." 
 
 Dick took a book from his desk and entered the ap- 
 pointment. At the same moment, Mr. Burton entered 
 the outer office slammed the door after him and said, 
 "Can I see Mr. Bannington at once ?" 
 
 "He is engaged at present," answered Ivan. "I shall 
 announce you as soon as he dismisses his present client. 
 Take a seat, please." 
 
 Burton was excited ; he dropped into a chair, glanced 
 at the three clerks, rose to his feet and continued to 
 fret and fume. 
 
 Mr. Smith had not slighted the broken conversation
 
 342 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 which he had overheard, and as Dick noted that it had 
 increased his respect, he felt very well pleased at his 
 foresight in making ample preparations. "I am very 
 sorry, Mr. Smith ; but just at present my plant is run- 
 ning night and day on a big government contract and I 
 can not fill any outside orders; but I shall enter your 
 name as a favored customer and supply you as soon as 
 possible." 
 
 "Now, I'm a man who wants to do a thing the mo- 
 ment I get the idea, and I'd be willing to pay a bonus to 
 get a few thousand as an experiment." 
 
 Dick smiled blandly. "I am sure," he said patroniz- 
 ingly, "that I have refused a larger bonus this very 
 day than you could afford. I treat all alike. First come, 
 first served. The amount of the order is immaterial." 
 
 "I've got some stiff competition and I want to beat 
 'em to it," argued Smith. 
 
 "Well, you have. I shall have your name entered and 
 you are the first in your line to make application. Most 
 of my customers are among the large contractors who 
 also have stiff competition." 
 
 "I suppose that settles it. Well, don't forget that I 
 am in the market as soon as you can deliver. Good 
 morning." 
 
 "Good morning," said Dick as his departing cus- 
 tomer held the door open. "You shall have the nut- 
 locks as soon as they are manufactured." 
 
 Mr. Burton did not wait to be announced. He seized 
 the door of the private office while Smith was still 
 holding it ajar, and as soon as Smith started across the 
 outer, he entered the inner office, his face flushed
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 343 
 
 with anger. Dick was examining a blue-print and a 
 note-book. He did not look up. 
 
 "Who was that man?" demanded Mr. Burton. 
 
 Dick looked at his visitor in well simulated surprise, 
 took a calm draw at the perfecto and said: "I had 
 forgotten that you were announced. Have you been 
 waiting long?" 
 
 "I was not announced. Yes, I've been waiting en- 
 tirely too long. Who was that man ?" 
 
 "That was one of my customers," replied Dick po- 
 litely. "Won't you be seated?" 
 
 "How does it come that he can get nut-locks, if I 
 can't?" 
 
 By this time Ivan had selected the proper formula 
 and seated himself in the booth. Before Dick could 
 answer, Ivan rang him up. 
 
 "No," said Dick, in answer to Ivan's question, "just 
 keep on with those coat-hangers for the present. The 
 regular force is sufficient on nut-locks for a time" to 
 Burton "I have explained all this in my letters, Mr. 
 Burton." 
 
 "Your letters explain nothing," answered Burton 
 angrily. "They are an outrage. I have asked you 
 the telephone intruded with careless insistence. 
 
 Dick leisurely placed the receiver to his ear: "Hello. 
 Oh, yes. Now it will take at least a million barrels of 
 cement to build that reservoir I refuse to assume any 
 responsibility unless I have complete control" con- 
 sults date book "I can see you at ten A. M., a week 
 from to-day." Dick hung up the receiver and turning 
 to Burton as though nothing had broken their conver-
 
 344 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 sation, said: "I think that my letters covered every- 
 thing." 
 
 "They did not give me the slightest satisfaction," 
 replied Burton, irritated beyond the diplomatic stage. 
 "You are simply seeking to take advantage of me by a 
 trick; but this is" bzzzzng called the telephone 
 "Damn that telephone!" 
 
 "I have sent an engineer down to look over the loca- 
 tion, and will make an estimate as soon as I get his 
 report," telephoned Dick. 
 
 "Now this is the situation," said Burton, controlling 
 himself with an effort. "My bid was the lowest, but 
 your uncle had specified! this fool nut-lock. My bid 
 was accepted provided I use the Dickie lock. On the 
 night we took dinner together at" bzzzzzzng! Mr. 
 Burton clenched his fists and stamped. 
 
 "Don't bother me with such trivial details," said 
 Dick impatiently. "Always reinforce cement at such a 
 place. Pray proceed, Mr. Burton." 
 
 "Well, you appeared very anxious to have your 
 lock receive recognition, and seemed perfectly willing 
 to do your part. You agreed to furnish the locks at an 
 advance of ten cents a hundred over ordinary taps, and 
 I" 
 
 "My dear sir, this is all in writing. Our contract 
 covers everything." 
 
 "That contract is a perfect farce ! You " As the bell 
 again interrupted, Burton sank into a chair and leaned 
 his head back wearily. 
 
 "Buy forty thousand buy in forty thousand lots 
 until the market advances ten points, then sell ; but buy
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 345 
 
 and sell through different firms and be careful. Let's 
 see, you were saying?" 
 
 "I want to ask you if you and your uncle are to- 
 gether in this ?" 
 
 "And I am forced to remind you that your question 
 is out of order," replied Dick with dignity. 
 
 "The contract says that you are to furnish nut-locks 
 as fast as they can be manufactured. You have only 
 furnished a few hundred and it will take centuries to 
 finish at this rate." 
 
 "The contract says that I shall furnish nut-locks as 
 rapidly as my plant can manufacture them, running 
 night and day," corrected Dick. 
 
 "Then let me make them. I can do it in a week." 
 
 "Oh, no; you would turn them out rough and raw, 
 while the product of my plant is realiy a work of art" 
 
 "Art, hell ! I want nut-locks. What kind of a plant 
 have you ?" 
 
 "I have one old man working days, and another 
 working nights. They really turn out beautiful work. 
 Would you like to see the plant it is right in this 
 building?" 
 
 "You think that you can balk me with such a game 
 as this?" shouted Burton, rising to his feet and glaring 
 at Dick. "I'll show you ! Now that I know that you're 
 nothing but a trickster, I'll give you a taste of the law. 
 Your uncle is back of this deal ; but I'll smash it like 
 an egg ; and as far as your suit for my daughter's hand 
 is concerned" again the bell rang. 
 
 To the surprise of Burton, Dick seized the receiver 
 and yelled: "Stop this confounded ringing, I am
 
 346 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 busy." Ivan was as much surprised as Mr. Burton, as 
 a large part of the formula was still in reserve. 
 
 Dick dashed off a note ordering Ivan to go forth and 
 purchase fish for their next meal, touched the bell, and 
 when Ivan appeared, said : "Take this note to the vice- 
 president, please," and as soon as Ivan had vanished 
 into the closet, turned to Mr. Burton and said with 
 steely suavity: "You started to say something about 
 your daughter's hand, I believe." 
 
 "Well her hand is nothing to you," answered Burton, 
 who had had time to see the impropriety of his remark. 
 "I was prejudiced against you because of your uncle, I 
 despised you for being a silly, unpractical, college-bred 
 theorist, and now I hate you for your trickery. I would 
 sooner see her " 
 
 "You had better not say it," interrupted Dick quietly 
 but in a tense voice. "When a man loses his head, he 
 is very likely to lose his cause also. I was not consulted 
 in the selection of uncles. Before we're through with 
 this fight, you'll have more modern ideas as to my un- 
 practical theories. And as for your daughter, I shall 
 win her, if I can, through love but hanged if I'd ac- 
 cept her as a bribe." 
 
 Things were down to a personal equation now, and 
 Dick was perfectly at home. As he looked into Mr. 
 Burton's eyes, that gentleman suddenly took on a sur- 
 prising resemblance to Tufty Sheldon. Like a flash, 
 his memorable combat and victory over Tufty came 
 back to him and he smiled inwardly at the favorable 
 augury. Burton was at a disadvantage; he preferred 
 to be entirely removed from tlie personal, the clashing.
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 347 
 
 It was far better to sit calmly in his inner sanctum, de- 
 cide on the plan, and leave its execution to men whose 
 welfare depended on their success. 
 
 "You, you, you !" he choked, and came to a full stop. 
 "You conceited puppy, you ! I'll have you singing an- 
 other tune within a week." 
 
 He slammed the door and rushed through the outer 
 office, while a wicked grin stole over Dick's face. He 
 looked at the perfecto, which was pretty well finished 
 by this time. "No," he said with decision, "my nerves 
 need the rest of you right this minute, and they have 
 rights the same as other folks;" saying which Dick 
 thrust the cigar into his mouth and took a deep refresh- 
 ing puff. 
 
 A few moments later, Ivan was admitted bearing a 
 fish in one hand and an extra in the other. "Don't bring 
 fish into my private office, Mr. Michaelowski," said 
 Dick in a tone of astonishment which immediately 
 brought a blush of repentance to Ivan's eyes. 
 
 "Look at the extra, sir," he offered by way of apol- 
 ogy and explanation. 
 
 "Thank you," said Dick gently. "Ivan, I doubt if 
 we have time for a regular meal this noon I don't 
 care for anything. Just fix some sandwiches for the 
 rest of you, and I think that's all." 
 
 As soon as Ivan had left, Dick scanned the extra 
 with nervous eagerness. "This is it," he muttered 
 "Market on verge of collapse, Bannington Steel Plant 
 down to thirty-eight, National Steel Mills also weaken- 
 ing, nothing but a prompt rally can prevent the great- 
 est crash in years !"
 
 348 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 He folded the paper carefully and laid it on his desk, 
 after which he drew a curved finger across his brow. 
 "Keep your seats, gentlemen ; Dickie still has his mitt 
 on the steering wheel. They forced me to it," he re- 
 sumed after a moment's pause. "I was perfectly willing 
 to devote my young life to suffering humanity in the 
 mass ; but, with their usual goatly manners, the honey- 
 boy class could not refrain from butting in. Now, sim- 
 ple duty compels me to spank them all soundly and put 
 them to bed. I wish it were over, I wish it were over. 
 I feel as though there were forty thousand in the 
 grandstand and the ball and eleven padded vandals 
 sailing straight toward me. I wouldn't trade places 
 with any one else in the world but, it's a terrible 
 journey away down to that goal line and I wish it 
 were over. I wonder if fitting a fellow for such a strain 
 as this isn't what foot-ball is really for. It's a good 
 bet." 
 
 He rang the bell twice, waited and again rang it 
 twice. At the third signal, Ivan shook Emil to con- 
 sciousness and sent him into the private office, still in 
 the daze of concentration, a closely filled page in his 
 hand. 
 
 "I beg your pardon, sir ; but I have only the interest 
 i figured down three thousand years. The further on it 
 is carried, the larger it becomes." 
 
 "Just like an Indian baby," interjected Dick. "But 
 what I wanted to ask you was what day in what week 
 of what year is this ?" 
 
 Emil stared a moment until his brain adjusted itself
 
 VICTORY IN SIGHT 349 
 
 to the new focus. "This is Tuesday, the fifteenth of 
 October, nineteen hundred and " 
 
 "\Yas it this very morning that I heard you pining 
 because the hours clanked by in dreary monotony, 
 while you yearned for something to happen ?" 
 
 "Yes sir ; you see my mind " 
 
 "You are positive that it was this very morning?" 
 
 "Yes, sir; in matters of date, never do I " 
 
 Dick suddenly changed his expression to one of 
 mock seriousness, and said fiercely: "Well, if I ever 
 hear of your complaining of dullness again, I shall 
 provide the coroner with a valid excuse for gazing into 
 your placCd countenance. Now get back to your perch 
 and hustle on with that interest. The market is in a 
 turmoil, and nothing can settle it except the informa- 
 tion on which you are at present working." 
 
 Emil gazed thankfully into Dick's face for a mo- 
 ment, and replied : "Then I shall destroy also what I 
 have already done. If everything would go to smash, 
 so much quicker would the revolution come." 
 
 "You wouldn't say that in an argument," said Dick, 
 smiling. "You know in your heart that it is not the 
 Cancers of Industry on whom the changes of social 
 evolution depend ; but the proletariat itself. That's all." 
 
 "You are right," admitted Emil, "my mind was with 
 other matters occupied." 
 
 "I merely want that item to use in an address," said 
 Dick. 
 
 "Then I shall shorten my method and finish with 
 great speed," said Emil.
 
 350 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 As the door closed behind Emil, Dick placed his feet 
 on his desk and sighed. "They have helped me a lot," 
 he said. "They have furnished me with loyal comrade- 
 ship, and also with much innocent amusement; but I 
 can now see what my uncle meant by the loneliness of 
 business. It is as though I were shut away in the heart 
 of a battle-ship, directing the action without actually 
 seeing the ships which opposed me or the effect of my 
 own shots. I want things to be in the open every- 
 thing! The wars of modern business are fought with 
 disappearing guns, smokeless powder, submarines, and 
 mines. When a flag is run to the peak, it is never the 
 flag of your enemy and everything seems lovely until 
 you are blown up or rammed. I want to fight in the 
 open, and before I start in to fight, I want to send 
 around a card stating my intentions. Hang it, we're 
 not as sporty as those jovial old iron-clad fanatics of 
 knight errantry but they would stand about as much 
 show against us as a regiment of land turtles. I wish 
 something else would happen. I am beginning to notice 
 an impulse impelling me to open that window and 
 shriek."
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 
 
 was not forced to endure a long suspense. 
 He had hardly expressed a desire for something 
 to happen, before the outer door was thrown open and 
 his uncle entered. Richard Bannington stopped, looked 
 at the row of clerks, recognized Lorrimer, and gave a 
 grunt of contempt. 
 
 Ivan climbed down from his stool, came up to him, 
 and said respectfully: "Good morning, Mr. Banning- 
 ton ; is there something I can do for you?" 
 
 "I hope I don't look like a man who would be loaf- 
 ing around in search of a time-killer at this hour of the 
 day," answered the old man curtly. "Where's that 
 where's Mr. Bannington?" 
 
 "I shall announce you." 
 
 Dick's face lighted at the announcement, and he did 
 not stand on ceremony, but hurried into the outer of- 
 fice, his hand extended cordially. "Step right in, Uncle. 
 Glad to see you," he shouted. 
 
 The uncle did not see the extended hand, neither did 
 his own face take on an answering light. He followed 
 his nephew into the private office ; but refused to take 
 a seat. For a moment he glared at Dick without speak- 
 ing, and then in a low, cutting tone, said: "Of all the 
 
 351
 
 352 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 low-grade sneaks, you leave the slimiest trail that ever 
 crossed mine." 
 
 Dick's face instantly hardened. "I have not the 
 slightest idea what you are after; but you are taking 
 the worst possible course to get it." 
 
 "After ! After ! I'd see my hand wither and fall off 
 before I'd hold it out to you for a postage stamp." 
 
 Dick chose the light armor of supercilious assurance 
 for the fray. "Then to what am I indebted for the 
 honor of this visit?" 
 
 "I did not know how black you really were until 
 after I had come here. I thought you only a headstrong 
 fool I find that you are a crafty, sneaking villain." 
 
 "I am totally unaware of the circumstance which 
 caused your change of opinion; but I infer " 
 
 "Don't lie to me, don't lie to me! I can see every- 
 thing, now." 
 
 "Allow me to congratulate you. I am truly envious." 
 
 "Listen," said Bannington, holding up his clenched 
 hand and speaking with deliberate bitterness, "if I 
 could blast you with a word, if I could crush you with 
 a curse I'd do it. Yes, and I'd laugh while I was do- 
 ing it." 
 
 "I congratulate myself now," replied Dick without 
 hesitation. "If you could do all those vocal stunts, I'd 
 get out an injunction and have you muzzled. Really, 
 Uncle, I haven't the faintest conception of what you 
 are driving at. It sounds like rather classy melodrama; 
 but I'd enjoy it more if I knew what it meant." 
 
 "You do know what it means, you scoundrel! You 
 have ruined the Bannington Steel Plant the business
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 353 
 
 your own father started with the little fortune your 
 own mother brought him the plant which I have given 
 up my best years to make stanch and honorable, and 
 which I hold dearer than friends or health, or life it- 
 self!" 
 
 "But not dearer than your own vanity as long as 
 we are making comparisons," added Dick dryly. "The 
 plant is failing because you used up its surplus in your 
 personal fight with Burton. The very reason which 
 prompted you to hamper yourself by not watering the 
 stock, was the knowledge that unless you took mighty 
 good care to make profits, the stock-holders would 
 never stand for the childish wastefulness of such a 
 fight, and you would be thrown into the hands of a re- 
 ceiver." 
 
 "Much you know about it ! I've been able to branch 
 out in every direction without taking a single risk, un- 
 til this last depression. Burton has the most ready capi- 
 tal just at this time, but he's sliding, too. Mark my 
 words, he's more frightened than I am, because his 
 organization is looser. No matter what happens, it's 
 your fault, all your fault you scoundrel !" 
 
 "You're a great one to squeal!" said Dick in exas- 
 peration. "For years you have gloated over swallow- 
 ing smaller enterprises than your own, and now that 
 the gaff is thrown into you, you howl like a Dervish 
 and scurry around hysterically calling decent people 
 scoundrels. Why don't you act like a man ?" 
 
 "If it were thrown by an enemy, I shouldn't bat an 
 eye," answered Richard Bannington. "But when it is
 
 354 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 thrown by my own nephew, by the boy I trained to 
 fight at my side, by the one of all others " 
 
 "Oh, cut out this emotional stuff ! When I left your 
 home three months ago, you said that I did not have 
 sense enough to make my own living and that in two 
 weeks I should come whining back to you for a crust 
 of bread. Has my whining disturbed the peace of your 
 neighborhood much?" 
 
 "I didn't know you then I thought you were hon- 
 est. Now I find that you have sold your own flesh and 
 blood for gold, have dragged my name and your fa- 
 ther's memory through the mud of treachery and the 
 slime of dishonor, have used the income your own 
 mother left you to ruin the " 
 
 "Stop, stop ! I don't know where on earth you picked 
 up this sort of talk; but my system won't stand much 
 more of it. I demand an explanation, and if it is pos- 
 sible for you to use modern business phrases, it will 
 place me under obligations to you." 
 
 "I shall tell you, and it is the last word with you I 
 ever want to have. I shall make an assignment before 
 the week is out, and then hide my head for the few re- 
 maining days of my life. You know exactly what I 
 am going to say you have it written in red across 
 your black heart." 
 
 Dick writhed in disgust. "Why don't you read it 
 aloud then? I hope to the Lord it is written in com- 
 monplace English!" 
 
 "I hardly know what words I am using," said the old 
 man with half a groan, "but I know exactly what I 
 want to say. You took advantage of information which
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 355 
 
 I gave you in trust. You alone knew how shaky the old 
 plant was, and you alone could have stabbed it in the 
 back, after it had nursed you all these years." 
 
 "How?" 
 
 "How ! Why, by bribing my private secretary to tell 
 the exact amount of the bids, by enticing me into put- 
 ting your fool nut-locks into them, and then by con- 
 spiring with my worst enemy and my most trusted em- 
 ployee to crush me utterly. That's how !" 
 
 "Good God, Uncle ! You are raving. I have not be- 
 trayed you, I have not " 
 
 "Don't lie to me ! I'm not so big a fool now as I was 
 three months ago. Didn't I find out Lorrimer's treach- 
 ery this very morning, didn't I fire him, and didn't he 
 walk over here as fast as his legs could carry him and 
 get a job, didn't he didn't he, I say ?" 
 
 Dick was dazed as he saw how things looked from 
 his uncle's standpoint. "Yes yes, I see how it ap- 
 pears," he answered, lowering his voice, "but even if it 
 is true that he sold out, wouldn't you want him where 
 you could put your hand on him if you could find 
 enough proof for conviction?" 
 
 Richard Bannington looked at his nephew contempt- 
 uously, and said slowly, "You cold-blooded scorpion, 
 you; do you think you can sting me again? I'm not 
 guessing at this, one of your near and dear fellow so- 
 cialists gave me a tip ; and strange as it may seem, a tip 
 was all I needed." 
 
 Dick thought silently for a moment, and then said 
 gently: "I can see exactly how it looks to you; but, 
 Uncle, I swear it is all a mistake. There has been no
 
 356 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 conspiracy. I have played alone, absolutely alone and 
 the game's not played out yet." 
 
 "That's it, brag over your devilment. I don't see 
 why the graves don't open and the dead rise up to re- 
 venge themselves !" 
 
 "I can't tell you the finish yet, Uncle," said Dick 
 soothingly, "because I don't know it myself; but I ask 
 you not to do anything rash and not to say anything 
 more that will be hard to swallow when we come to 
 make up. I am in no game with Lorrimer, I am in no 
 game with Burton, I am " 
 
 "You are an infernal liar, that's what you are! 
 Didn't I see Burton coming away from here as I came 
 in? Didn't I have to bite my lips and turn away to 
 keep from springing on him and killing him with my 
 bare hands ? And isn't Lorrimer working at your desk 
 this very minute?" He paused, raised his hand sol- 
 emnly, and said : "That's all, that's all except I hope 
 that when you are as old as I am, your own children 
 
 "Don't put evil thoughts in the minds of the chil- 
 dren, Uncle," interrupted Dick who felt no bitterness 
 toward the old man. "Just try to keep calm until to- 
 morrow, and don't " 
 
 "To-morrow ? There will never be a to-morrow for 
 you and me you viper!" He shook his fist at Dick, 
 opened the door, slammed it after him, stamped 
 through the outer office, head up and eyes to the front, 
 slammed that door after him, and then began to feel 
 that perhaps, after all, he had made a fool of himself. 
 
 "Good Lord, what next?" sighed Dick. "I feel like 
 Samson after he had made his last touch-down!"
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 357 
 
 Dick put his hands into his pockets and walked to 
 the window as Miss Burton entered the outer office, 
 her face showing signs of nervous excitement. 
 
 "Is that Dick Bannington alone ?" she asked. 
 
 Ivan nodded mechanically and started to dismount; 
 but she did not wait. With eyes flashing and lips set, 
 she opened the door of the private office, slammed it 
 behind her and demanded: "What have you done 
 now?" 
 
 Poor Dick was also irritated. "I haven't had a 
 chance to do anything this morning, but hang on to my 
 head while a different variety of idiot tried to jerk it 
 off. What do you want ?" 
 
 "Don't you dare use such a tone as this with me ! I 
 have just left Katherine, and she has just left her fa- 
 ther; and he says that you have ruined him, and she 
 has gone to the Holland to pack up and go home. She 
 says that she hates you, and after all I have done for 
 you both, I don't intend to stand aside and see my 
 entire plan spoiled ; so you will have " 
 
 "My dear Miss Burton," cried Dick, holding up his 
 hands in despair, "you will have to run that record 
 through again. I missed half of it." 
 
 "What do you mean by ruining her father just at 
 this time? If you had to ruin him, why couldn't you 
 have waited until after " 
 
 "This is purely a matter of business. Whenever I am 
 impelled to ruin a man I do it when circumstances are 
 right, not any old time it happens to be convenient." 
 
 "But why do you wish to ruin people?" 
 
 "I don't want to ruin people; they forced it them'
 
 358 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 selves. I wanted to devote myself to the lowly, to lead 
 a simple, wholesome life, but they wouldn't stand for 
 it, they had to poke and prod and abuse me until I lost 
 patience. Now, they must weather the storm the best 
 way they can." 
 
 Miss Burton seated herself and examined Dick crit- 
 ically. "I am sure you are a great disappointment to 
 every one, but I suppose you get it honestly. I just 
 met your uncle on the stairs, and he nearly glowered 
 a hole through me. I was honestly afraid he was going 
 to bite me. Well, I have done all I can. You have no 
 one to blame but yourself." 
 
 "But you can't stop," expostulated Dick, "I shan't 
 allow it. I need you more now than ever, and I posi- 
 tively insist that you hurry to Kate and make her 
 change her mind." 
 
 "See here," rejoined Miss Burton sharply, "you seem 
 to forget that you are nothing but a boy. You may 
 have discovered some way to ruin Burton, and cause a 
 panic, but you'll not find it so easy to order me about 
 and forty times harder to change Kate's mind." 
 
 "Well, I'm honestly sorry for having spoken so 
 abruptly," said Dick insiduously, "but you know that 
 you are my best, and almost my only ally. Won't you 
 please go and tell Kate that she must not be too hasty? 
 I'll tell her all about it as soon as I can." 
 
 Miss Burton's face softened. "I am convinced that 
 under Kate's influence, you would soon outgrow your 
 recklessness, and I shall do what I can, but I fear it 
 won't be much." She rose and put a hand on Dick's 
 shoulder. "Dick, don't ruin anv one else. When you
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 359 
 
 get as old as I am, you will discover that it is much 
 better to give one man a start than to ruin a dozen. 
 Now, be good." 
 
 "I can't stand this pace much longer," said Dick 
 wearily, after Miss Burton had gone. "I ache all over." 
 
 After a moment's inaction, he decided to call Kate 
 on the wire. It required much fuss and patience to get 
 the right number, and then he was disappointed to find 
 that she was not in, but on the promise of a five-pound 
 box of chocolates, the girl at the Holland exchange 
 promised to call him as soon as she could get her on the 
 wire. "I suppose telephone girls are good for the soul, 
 but they're blamed heroic treatment," he muttered as 
 he hung up the receiver. Dick had arrived at the stage 
 where the nerves begin to fuse. 
 
 A knock came at his door. "Come in," he called 
 drearily. 
 
 "Mr. Burton wishes to see you, sir," said Ivan, 
 evincing a suppressed excitement. Ivan was still cling- 
 ing to the hope that in some occult way, socialism was 
 to result from his employer's peculiar campaign. "I 
 think he is ready to give up," he whispered mysteri- 
 ously. 
 
 "There's an epidemic of it," responded Dick. "Show 
 him in." 
 
 "How do you do, Mr. Burton? I suppose you have 
 called to tell me what the law can do to me." 
 
 It was an entirely new Mr. Burton. His face was 
 gray and haggard, as faces which are habitually kept 
 to a set expression of calm assurance become when 
 a fierce strain has broken down the nerves which held
 
 360 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 them. "There is no use beating about the bush," he 
 answered. "I knew exactly what the law could do 
 when I left. I can put the screws to you, all right, but 
 it would take too long and you have as much money to 
 fight as I have. There is not much in this blamed con- 
 tract at the best, but I suppose I shall have to give you 
 some kind of bonus even to let me get out. What is 
 it you want ?" 
 
 "I am truly sorry that you did not talk this way 
 earlier. I might have settled at a much lower figure 
 a few days ago. I am not a bluffer, and you made a 
 mistake to treat me as one. Now, you must answer 
 some questions." 
 
 "I am ready to answer fair ones, but I tell you right 
 at the start that as far as my daughter is concerned 
 
 "Your daughter is not concerned," interrupted Dick 
 sharply. "You had better take note of the shape of 
 my eyebrows, and the way my jaw is hung." Dick 
 paused and the elder man, without feeling any dis- 
 position to smile, examined the strong, determined fea- 
 tures to which his attention had been called. It brought 
 him into still closer touch with the personal equation 
 which he instinctively dreaded. Taking a man's posi- 
 tion away from him is taking away his armor. At no 
 age of the world's history did its heroes desire to go 
 naked into the arena and challenge humanity to pro- 
 duce a foeman worthy of their ribs. A foeman worthy 
 of their steel was the desired article, when steel was the 
 fashion. Now that the battle is likely to be legal, it 
 is still more comfortable, for those who can afford it.
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 361 
 
 "I am not depending on chance," resumed Dick, as 
 soon as Mr. Burton's expression suited him. "I am 
 not depending on kindness, I am not depending on a 
 girl's intercession. I have blocked out a plan of my 
 own, and what is more, I am in a position to carry out 
 this plan. I know what your bond is; I know what 
 your time limitation is ; I know what your capacity is ; 
 and I know what your resources are. What I want to 
 know now is, are you back of the bear movement which 
 is battering B. S. P. ?" 
 
 "Good Lord, no National Mills is going down with 
 it." 
 
 "Very good. Now, then, from whom did you get 
 your knowledge of my uncle's bid?" 
 
 "I can't answer that. I absolutely refuse." 
 
 Dick raised his eyebrows and smiled. "When you 
 feel like talking, call in again," he said, whirling his 
 chair until he faced his desk, and speaking lightly 
 ovev his shoulder. "I am not under bond, you know ; 
 I can afford to wait. In the meantime, my two-man 
 plant is running night and day." 
 
 "I am willing to do all in reason," said Mr. Burton, 
 as Dick picked up a blue-print, "but you must admit 
 " Bzzzzing. 
 
 Dick took down the receiver. "Hello, who is this 
 Oh, good! Now, I have something of the utmost 
 importance, genuine importance this time, and I must 
 see you at once." 
 
 Mr. Burton could not tell that it was his own daugh- 
 ter to whom Dick was speaking, but he could tell that
 
 362 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 the gladness in Dick's face was not assumed and it 
 filled him with an increased anxiety. 
 
 "No, I can't tell you now I really can't, I'll explain 
 as soon as I get the chance No, don't hang up Oh, 
 hang it !" 
 
 "What difference does it make who I got it from?" 
 vouchsafed Mr. Burton, whose presence Dick had for- 
 gotten. "I paid twenty thousand for it, and that ought 
 to satisfy you." 
 
 "It helps," admitted Dick calmly. "I am merely 
 testing you. I know from whom you got it." 
 
 "Who?" 
 
 "If I name him, will you admit it?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "You got it from Claude Lorrain," said Dick. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 Dick grinned. "Did it ever occur to you that this 
 man came over with me, and in all probability is still 
 in my employ?" 
 
 Burton lost his self-control. He sprang to his feet, 
 his fingers hooked as though they would clutch Dick's 
 throat. "You low-lived, treacherous, sneaking " 
 
 "Never mind," said Dick gently, holding up his 
 hand. "I have heard all these terms once before to- 
 day, and I am not partial to them at the best." 
 
 "I see it all now," said Burton through set teeth. 
 "I have suspected it all along, and now it is as plain as 
 a headlight. You are merely the cat's-paw in the hand 
 of your uncle, but as long as you are going to resort 
 to" 
 
 "Come, come we are business men ; let's talk in a
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 363 
 
 business way. And before you make any threats, re- 
 member that you are a briber. You are making all 
 the fuss and losing your temper, but my advice would 
 be to remain cool, so that there won't be any unpleas- 
 ant mud-puddles to jump across on your way back. 
 We shall probably retrace this road soon." 
 
 "Well, what is your proposition?" asked Mr. Bur- 
 ton recovering himself. 
 
 "What is the most you can make out of this deal?" 
 
 "There's mighty little in it. It's a small contract, 
 the Bannington bid was rock-bottom and I had to go 
 thirty thousand less, taking the " 
 
 "Don't bother to make out a case," said Dick. "I 
 know some of the other contracts which hinge on this 
 one, and what it really means to you. What I want to 
 know is, what will you make out of this one contract?" 
 
 "I suppose we'll make about three hundred thou- 
 sand/' answered Burton sullenly. 
 
 "That's better. You ought to be a little more care- 
 ful, Mr. Burton. I'm liable to lose my patience at 
 any moment and squeeze you down to the gravy. Now, 
 then, if you have to forfeit your bond at this time, 
 you become that instant a full-blown down-and-outer 
 and I can make you slip the forfeit." 
 
 "Well, what is your proposition? Good Lord, man, 
 it is getting late and things are all in a mess !" 
 
 "My things are in very good order. What is the 
 cause of the enmity between yourself and my uncle?" 
 
 "I refuse to answer," said Burton, springing to his 
 feet and speaking with finality. "That is a purely per- 
 sonal question."
 
 364 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "You are right," admitted Dick. "Then, from a 
 business standpoint, you would be willing to merge 
 with the Bannington Steel Mills. Maybe not openly, 
 but at least " 
 
 "Oh course I should," broke in Burton heartily. 
 "I'm not a fool. Big as we both are, we have rammed 
 our heads together until we are both likely to be swept 
 into the scrap-heap at the same time. If you were at 
 the head of the Bannington Plant, though, it would 
 be a heap easier. I'll own up that your conduct to-day 
 has opened my eyes to a lot of facts. I hate to say it, 
 but I'm losing my grip, the game is outgrowing me 
 it takes young blood to fight. If it were you instead 
 of your uncle, I'd say merge to-morrow, and you be 
 president of the new concern, and, furthermore, I'd 
 be willing to have you for a son of my own." 
 
 "Well, thank you all around. Now you just step 
 out for fifteen minutes and find out how things are 
 going over on 'Change. This day is about all in, and 
 I have a lot of 'phoning to do, myself. Before you 
 return, call me up by wire and I'll see if I'm ready for 
 you." 
 
 Burton paused at the door and looked back. Dick 
 had spoken with a shade more reserve than he liked. 
 "I am able to 'take my medicine, Bannington," he said 
 a little diffidently, "but you have hinted at hope. You 
 won't turn me down, will you?" 
 
 "I play to win. I stack the cards when it is neces- 
 sary, but I am not the enemy of any single man 
 least of all, you. Still you have to get out of this 
 scrape through my door."
 
 CROWDED AT THE TURN 365 
 
 As soon as Burton had withdrawn, Dick called up the 
 Holland, told the exchange girl that she had won the 
 chocolates, and requested her to put Kate on the wire 
 again as soon as possible. When she informed him 
 after a short delay that Miss Burton had again left 
 the hotel, Dick slowly hung up the receiver and stared 
 resentfully at it for a moment. Then with a sigh, he 
 called his uncle. At first that gentleman was frigid, but 
 in the end he promised to hasten to Dick's office as 
 promptly as possible. 
 
 "I feel as though a jig-saw were running in the back 
 of my head," said Dick, clasping that article and lean- 
 ing his elbows on the desk. 
 
 All the different scenes of the morning crowded 
 about him until he scarcely knew whether he was wak- 
 ing or dreaming. The threads of so many different 
 fates were held in his grasp that they seemed a hope- 
 less tangle, and for the first time he began to doubt 
 his ability to manipulate them. For breakfast he had 
 only had sufficient courage to eat two of Ivan's leathery 
 flap-jacks, and he had eaten nothing since. 
 
 "I haven't size enough," he muttered with honest 
 pessimism. "My plan was all right, but I'm too much 
 of a light-weight to carry it out." 
 
 His arms sank to a heap on the desk, his head rested , 
 on them, and for a space the active mind was as a 
 motor from which the current has been turned.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 THE STRUGGLE FOR THE WHEEL 
 
 THE door to the outer office opened, and Kate 
 entered, her face flushed from the haste in which 
 she had come and the mingled emotions which beset 
 her. 
 * "Is Mr. Bannington unengaged?" she asked. 
 
 Ivan nodded, but having grown accustomed to hav- 
 ing his sacred office treated with disdain, made only a 
 feeble pretense of dismounting from his stool. 
 
 Kate crossed the office hurriedly and knocked. 
 Dick aroused himself with an effort and was at first 
 tempted to escape through the closet, but the few 
 moments of absolute relaxation had given him new 
 force and he straightened in his chair, and called : 
 "Come in." 
 
 Kate entered and closed the door behind her. "Why 
 did you wish to see me?" she said with reserve. 
 
 "Because I'm dog tired and you are the most re- 
 freshing sight in all the " 
 
 "Please stop. Under the circumstances I consider 
 your flippancy to be a direct insult. You have deliber- 
 ately determined to ruin my father he told me so less 
 than an hour ago, and it is killing him. I did not 
 come here to listen to flattery. I came to see to see 
 Why did you wish to see me? Tell me the truth." 
 
 366
 
 THE STRUGGLE 367 
 
 "I am not your father's enemy," answered Dick 
 sincerely. "He is not ruined yet, and if he is, it will 
 be through his own obstinacy." 
 
 The girl looked at him proudly, for a moment the 
 expression wavered toward anger, and then it settled 
 to wistful disappointment. "This is what I feared," 
 she said in a voice which refused to be quite steady. 
 "Oh, Dick, Dick, I trusted you so I thought you so 
 chivalrous and noble under your careless manner. 
 Dick, I did love and respect you, but I never can 
 again." 
 
 "But I'm not responsible for your father's obsti- 
 nacy," exclaimed Dick in amazement. 
 
 "I think you understand what I mean. It is the 
 smallness of your nature, the craftiness, the " 
 
 "Go right ahead," encouraged Dick, "say just as 
 mean things as you can think up if it will be the slight- 
 est relief to you. My spirit is bruised to a navy blue, 
 so that if you wish to unload any little gobs of hatred 
 I'm that entire department. You started out by say- 
 ing, This is what I feared.' What is that you feared ?" 
 
 The girl hesitated. "Make it as plain as you can," 
 begged Dick, "and if you can draw a picture to illus- 
 trate it, that will help a lot. My brain was only a lump 
 of chalk to begin with, and this day's business has 
 started it to crumbling." 
 
 "I am ashamed to put it into words." 
 
 "I'm too weak to do any mind-reading. I reckon 
 you'll have to say it." 
 
 Kate turned her face away from him. "I hate even 
 to think it," she said in a low tone, "but I am sure that
 
 368 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 you have made my hand the price of my father's 
 ambition. Dick, you have broken my heart!" 
 
 Dick had risen as soon as he had observed his vis- 
 itor's identity, but when she had joined the others in 
 attacking him, he had seated himself defiantly. Now 
 he rose and took her face very slowly and very gently 
 between his hands. Turning it toward his own, he 
 gazed into it a long moment and said very soberly: 
 "Kate, I should be glad to have you disappointed in 
 me, if I were such a cad, but, thank Heaven, I am not. 
 I have not thought of your hand in this deal not 
 for a moment. I am willing to work for you all my 
 life, but if you could be bought no matter at what 
 price Kate, I couldn't love you then." 
 
 Her face turned rosy beneath his gaze, and her 
 hands stole upward and pressed his hands. "And you 
 will not ruin my father?" she asked. 
 
 "Your father must protect himself," replied Dick 
 firmly, as he gently withdrew his hands. "I did not 
 bargain with him for you ; you must not use your love 
 to save him. Love is love, and we must keep it pure, 
 no matter how loudly the dollars howl as I drive them 
 into the open." 
 
 Kate backed away from him slowly. "Then, I 
 must leave you. I do not think that I could ever trust 
 you again. Dick, you frighten me and I never was 
 afraid of you before." She paused at the door and 
 then hurried back to him. "But oh, Dick," she said 
 feelingly, "for the sake of all that has passed between 
 us, do not be too hard on my father." 
 
 "Your father must play his own hand alone," said
 
 THE STRUGGLE 369 
 
 Dick solemnly, and the girl closed the door without 
 replying. 
 
 Dick took a few strides, and as a new light came 
 into his face, he paused and exclaimed : "She is afraid 
 of me she said it herself! This morning I felt like 
 a picture-nail when she looked at me. Great Scott, 
 v/hat a day this has been !" 
 
 A moment later when Richard Bannington pre- 
 sented himself, he merely questioned Ivan with his 
 eyes and hurried into the private office. "Well ? What 
 now ?" he demanded. 
 
 "Uncle, you said this morning that you would be 
 willing to make almost any sacrifice to save the plant. 
 Burton is willing to merge, or if you prefer, a mutual 
 understanding which will not affect your apparent 
 independence, can be arranged. It all depends on your 
 vanity." 
 
 "Dick, I'm all in," admitted the old man brokenly. 
 "This morning, I could have killed you, but after I 
 left it came over me that after all you were my nephew. 
 I can't hate you steadily, Dick. I work up as good 
 a hate as any one could, but it won't stick. You've 
 been meaner than dirt, and I know it's my duty to hate 
 you, but way down deep in my heart the old love I 
 had for you is still fooling around, and it spoils every- 
 thing." The old man paused, swallowed, and then said 
 fiercely: "And that shows whether or not I'm vain, 
 you infernal scamp!" 
 
 "That's the ticket. Now, will you be white all the 
 way through, and merge with Burton ? That was your 
 original scheme, you know."
 
 370 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "No, I'll not merge with Burton," said Bannington 
 with a decisive gesture. "Hang Burton! I don't love 
 Burton. Did he propose it to you ?" 
 
 "He did." 
 
 "Then, he is hard hit, himself!" cried the old man, 
 striking his palm with his fist. "The market rallied a 
 few points just before I came over. I can make another 
 plunge and wipe him off the slate. His raft won't 
 stand a storm like the old Bannington Plant, which is 
 built like a ship. Dick, it's not too late yet, come in 
 with me and we'll stand on Burton's neck and shake 
 hands." 
 
 "It sounds inviting, Uncle, but I have to decline. 
 The fact of the matter is, that I have both you and 
 Burton in the same fix. I can wipe you both off the 
 slate, but I don't want to." 
 
 "Is that straight, Dick you are not in with Burton, 
 but are fighting him as well as me?" The weariness 
 which had cloaked the old man when he entered, had 
 fallen from him, and his keen eyes were shining with 
 old-time vigor. 
 
 "I am not in with Burton," answered Dick quietly, 
 "but I am fighting no one. I have simply tied one rope 
 to Burton's neck and your waist, and another rope to 
 your neck and Burton's waist. Now, all I need is to 
 give you each a jab, and you will jerk off each other's 
 heads." 
 
 The old man looked at his nephew for a moment. 
 "Say, Dick," he asked in a quizzical voice, "who the 
 devil are you, anyway Mephistopheles ?" 
 
 "There is nothing remarkable in what I have done,"
 
 THE STRUGGLE 37I 
 
 replied Dick with becoming modesty. "Business is 
 only a game. The great trouble with most young 
 fellows is that they get the shivers at the size of the 
 stakes, and buck-fever at the noble bluffs their elders 
 put up. You remember that marble game I invented 
 when I was a kid? Well, I'm just playing it over, 
 only I'm stringing the two biggest steel plants in the 
 country instead of Jim Haskel and Buddy Sanderson." 
 "You've hit the nail on the head, boy. It is only a 
 game, but it is cruel hard when it sets against you. I've 
 lost my grip, and when you lose your grip just for 
 a moment you're done for. Dick, will you take over 
 the plant and run it?" 
 
 "No, I don't want to do that, Uncle. I merely 
 wanted to force you and Burton into a merger, and 
 start a little business of my own which would bring in 
 an income of twenty or thirty thousand a year with- 
 out too much bother but I did not have the slightest- 
 desire to swing a tremendous thing like the merger 
 would be." 
 
 "Did not have how about it now?" asked Banning- 
 tcn eagerly. 
 
 Dick stood in the center of his office, feet planted 
 firmly, head and shoulders thrown back, hands clenched 
 at his side, and his eyes flashing. "Oh, Uncle, it's 
 great !" he said enthusiastically. "To think of all the 
 mighty forces a man can focus on one point and fairly 
 melt it, or focus on another and weld it; to feel the 
 concentrated strength of thousands center in one's 
 shoulders and wait calmly for the bidding of one's 
 brain! Oh, Uncle, it's more fun that a speckled pig!"
 
 372 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 The old man's heavy hand came down on his 
 nephew's shoulder with a resounding slap,, "You've 
 caught it !" he cried. "That's the secret. That's why we 
 fling youth and health and pleasure and leisure and 
 and sometimes more, into the furnace. It's not for the 
 filthy dollars! Why, Dick, if I'd been paid a salary 
 four times bigger than my income, you couldn't have 
 hired me to do the work I have done. That's where 
 your socialism myth goes to smash! A man, a real 
 man, don't want to burrow like a worm in the ground, 
 he wants to fight for the biggest thing he can see and 
 when he wins it, he wants to call it his own. 
 
 "We don't want the safe thing, the easy thing. We 
 want the hard road and plenty of opposition. We're 
 a different breed, boy; we're the same strain that 
 marched to the crusades, that sailed the unknown seas, 
 that tore the wilderness from the grasp of the savage, 
 and turned it into a garden. We're a tough proposition 
 to combat, Dick, but those who follow after can lie 
 down and sleep with their doors unlocked. Why, 
 hang it, boy, now that I see that you have gumption 
 enough to be practical, I don't mind sitting up until 
 three o'clock every morning, talking theories with 
 you." 
 
 As the old man's fervor increased, Dick began to 
 cool. "You still look at everything from your side," 
 he said quietly. "If you love opposition and hard 
 roads, why do you stifle competition and establish 
 monopoly at the first opportunity ? It is true that you 
 are industrial pioneers, and as such are entitled to 
 respect, but you are not entitled to the privilege of
 
 THE STRUGGLE 373 
 
 taxing all succeeding generations. As you say, busi- 
 ness is only a game you fellows do all the playing 
 and the great mass who produce actual wealth do all 
 the paying." 
 
 "Don't sink back to that stuff, Dick," said the old 
 man testily. "There are plenty of idle fellows to 
 wrangle about socialism, but you have your own work 
 cut out. The laboring man doesn't care a hang about 
 socialism, so why should you. I am perfectly willing 
 to let the preachers and the lawyers and the doctors 
 and the writers be socialists. It will never amount 
 to anything until the millions who work at day wages 
 take it up and they don't bother their heads about it. 
 You come in with me and live your own life." 
 
 "Listen, Uncle; I am convinced that the trust idea 
 is essential to social evolution, and that the sooner it 
 is applied to all industries, the sooner will come the 
 great age of freedom. That is why I encourage it ; 
 none of my views has changed. Will you, or will 
 you not merge with Burton?" 
 
 "I wish Burton were in Ballyhack!" exclaimed the 
 old man angrily. "I want to fight him, I want you 
 to help fight him, I want to wipe his name out of the 
 directory I hate him. No, I won't merge." 
 
 "Then you go and beat your head against the wall 
 a while longer," cried Dick with answering anger. 
 "You scheme for a merger, you pick out a wife for 
 me, you turn me adrift, I agree to marry the girl of 
 your choice, I find a merger and bring it to you on a 
 silver platter, you own up that you are whipped, and 
 yet you won't merge. Oh, you are too obstinate to
 
 374 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 reason with. If you don't want chickens, what do 
 you set hens' eggs for?" 
 
 The controversy had stimulated Bannington's circu- 
 lation, and he now felt as fit as ever. "You young whip- 
 per-snapper," he shouted, shaking his finger in Dick's 
 face, "you can't talk to me this way. You think I'm 
 whipped ? I'm not. Ten minutes ago I feared I might 
 be, but I never was before, and I'm not now. You 
 think that you can boss me around and ram Burton 
 down my throat ? Bah ! I'll cut you out of it entirely 
 and hammer Burton until he comes to the scratch. 
 Do you want to know how? I'll tell you how. You 
 gave me the right to make your fool nut-locks for this 
 contract. I'll make 'em, I'll sell 'em to Burton for half 
 his profits for the next year, and by the time that you 
 wake up out of your dream, you'll look like a bubble 
 that's been hit by a comet." 
 
 The old man gave his head a toss and stamped out of 
 the office, leaving Dick holding his chin in his hand, 
 and looking weakly at the carpet. He stood thus for 
 several minutes his forehead wrinkling. 
 
 "It looks to me," he said slowly, "as though I had 
 forgotten that there was a joker in this deck."
 
 CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 AN EXPLOSION 
 
 THERE used to be a game, or rather a pastime, 
 called "bat-ball." It was played with a large rub- 
 ber ball, board bats, and by as many boys as the com- 
 munity could furnish and the locality accommodate. 
 The object was to keep the ball in the air, and which- 
 ever boy was responsible for allowing it to descend to 
 earth was relegated to the side lines. As there was no 
 umpire, there was considerable discussion among the 
 players but the ball, who really had the chief cause 
 for complaint, was too busy and too dazed to utter a 
 single word of protest. Dick was now in a position to 
 sympathize with the ball. 
 
 While he was still trying to understand how it had 
 happened that his hand was jerked from the steering 
 wheel, and that he now found himself clinging des- 
 perately to the rear axle, he perceived Miss Burton clos- 
 ing the door behind her and advancing toward him 
 menacingly. 
 
 "Now, you've done it," she remarked with heavy 
 and direct accusation. 
 
 "I suppose so," admitted Dick, his mind still occu- 
 pied with the clever manner in which his uncle had slid 
 the high card from his sleeve and taken all the tricks 
 
 375
 
 373 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 in sight. "I can't quite see how to get control of the 
 lead again, but I'll figure it out after a while." 
 , "She is in an awful condition," said Miss Burton, 
 who sometimes availed herself of the feminine prerog- 
 ative of totally ignoring another's remarks, and con- 
 tinuing the line of her own argument, unweakened by 
 the influence of sentiments in opposition. "She has 
 got to that stage where she respects you, and that is 
 generally fatal to love." 
 
 "What are you talking about?" asked Dick, trying 
 to fix his attention on what Miss Burton was saying. 
 
 "Naturally, I am talking about Kate," replied Miss 
 Burton with dignified sarcasm. "What are you think- 
 ing about? But no matter. Of course I came with her 
 through these wretched streets, and waited in a drug- 
 store some way, drug-stores always seem respectable 
 no matter where you find them. Well, when she came 
 back, she was in one of those ethereal moods where a 
 woman says that she can never love again, but will 
 always respect, and treasure the memory, and all that 
 sort of talk. Now, this is all nonsense a woman can 
 always love again. It's her nature to love ; she begins 
 by loving a doll, and ends by loving an ideal both 
 rather unsatisfactory makeshifts but in the meantime 
 she loves real live men, until she finds them out. You 
 have been dilly-dallying and shilly-shallying with her 
 until she thinks that you are a namby-pamby. Now, 
 I know that you are not a namby-pamby" Dick shook 
 his head with sober sincerity "but she doesn't. You 
 must be firm with her, you must not let her do all the 
 talking. You talk fast enough with other people, but
 
 AN EXPLOSION 377 
 
 with her you just sit and listen, as though what she 
 said was really worth while. Don't interrupt me, I 
 can only stay a second. Assert yourself, you always 
 do with other people. I have generally found you to 
 be overbearing. I can't stay another second, she is 
 waiting at the drug-store until I get back. I had to 
 invent an idiotic excuse, all for your sake. I am going 
 back to her now, and I am going to bring her here by 
 some hook or crook. When she comes, you be your 
 natural self and there is more brute than angel in 
 that, I'll warrant. Make her do whatever you wish, 
 and whatever she does not wish, and that will make her 
 love you again. This is you last chance I haven't 
 time to listen to a word don't you dare to fail me." 
 
 As the door closed, Dick sank heavily into his desk 
 chair. "I wonder if some one really was in here, or 
 whether I am beginning to see things?" he asked him- 
 self doubtfully, but her suggestions began to interest 
 him, and soon his mind was fully occupied with his 
 love affair and the possible effect of following Miss 
 Burton's advice. His mind was so fully occupied in 
 fact, that a few moments later, when Mr. Burton 
 entered, Dick looked at him in unaffected surprise. 
 
 "I have been thinking it over," said Burton briskly, 
 "and I find that it will be impossible for me to merge 
 with your uncle we have been enemies too long." 
 
 Mr. Richard Bannington had entered the outer office, 
 had been stopped by Ivan, and now just as Dick 
 stumbled over an attempt to invent a remark which 
 would impress Burton, Ivan knocked on the door. 
 
 "Come in," called Dick in relief.
 
 378 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 Ivan entered, closed the door, and said, "Mr. Rich- 
 ard Bannington, sir." 
 
 Burton rushed over to the door marked "Vice-Presi- 
 dent," and which opened into the closet. "This is a 
 put-up job," he said angrily, as he opened the door a 
 few inches and turned to face Dick, "but I refuse to 
 meet him. I shall just step into this room, I suppose it 
 opens into " 
 
 "Don't go in there," cried Dick, running over to the 
 door, slamming it, and standing in front of it. "The 
 vice-president has not had any lunch yet, and it al- 
 ways makes him surly to miss his lunch." 
 
 Mr. Burton was outraged. "I must say, Mr. Ban- 
 nington," he snapped, "that this firm has the most un- 
 usual officials I have ever heard of." 
 
 "I know it, I know it," admitted Dick, "but just take 
 a seat. Ivan, tell my uncle that I shall see him in a 
 few minutes. Now, then, Mr. Burton, I am ready to 
 listen to the reasons which prompted your change of 
 base." 
 
 When Richard Bannington received the news that 
 his nephew was conferring with the president of the 
 National Steel Mills, he whirled on his heel and stalked 
 out of the office, his face twisted into a scowl. 
 
 "I have found a way to get around our contract," 
 said Mr. Burton confidently. "I admit it is liable to 
 cause a little delay and may probably cost me a lot of 
 money in the end, but it will cinch this present govern- 
 ment deal, put Bannington Mills out of business, and 
 end your career with a smash." 
 
 "Must be rather a clever scheme," was Dick's dry
 
 AN EXPLOSION 379 
 
 comment. He knew that much of Burton's confidence 
 was assumed, and resolved to meet bluff with bluff. 
 That peculiar condition known in the vernacular as 
 "second wind" had come to him, as often in his foot- 
 ball career, it had come in time to change defeat into 
 victory. He looked Burton calmly between the eyes. 
 "Well," he resumed, "I have done the best I could for 
 both of you. My uncle also refuses to merge. The 
 trust idea is the only possible one under present con- 
 ditions. I was perfectly willing to extend your tenures 
 of office, but if you deliberately refuse, it is on your 
 heads that the responsibility must rest. You know in 
 your heart, Mr. Burton, that the off-shoots of your 
 central business will hamper you as much in retreat 
 as they benefited you in advance. This is also true, 
 although in a less degree, with Bannington holdings. 
 You have perhaps noticed that the market has rallied 
 a little lately. I intended it to close with an upward 
 trend, but if nothing but war will satisfy you, why, 
 war it is." 
 
 Dick rose to his feet, his own words having produced 
 auto-intoxication, and the long delayed reaction having 
 given him full command of his nerves. As he looked 
 smilingly into Burton's eyes, they both more than half 
 believed that his words were conservative and final. 
 "I have all my plans made," he said evenly, "and unless 
 I send forth the word to switch them, the bottom will 
 start to fall out of the market a few minutes before 
 closing time and to-morrow you will be fleeing from 
 the wrath of the mob." 
 
 Again it was personal contact which rested heavily
 
 380 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 on Mr. Burton. He found himself looking into the 
 confident face of a fighting man, a powerful man, a 
 young man, and the old habit of a thousand ages still 
 ran in his blood the habit of defending oneself from 
 physical danger, by means of one's own physical force. 
 Oftener than we are aware, these old, primitive habits 
 which lurk in the blood, secure from the attacks of 
 reason, leap forth and grip us at the most inopportune 
 moments. 
 
 "I can't tell what to do," said Mr. Burton peevishly. 
 "I don't see why you can't I'll walk around a bit, and 
 think it over." 
 
 "Better make up your mind one way or the other. I 
 am strongly tempted to lock up and go to the country 
 until it's all over." 
 
 "I'll be back in a few minutes," said Burton, as he 
 left the office. 
 
 "Wouldn't we just love to know what cards the 
 others are hiding?" said Dick. "I now know exactly 
 how Mr. N. Bonaparte felt about four p. M. on the 
 day of his justly celebrated game at Waterloo. I wish 
 it were over." 
 
 Ivan knocked and was admitted. "Mr. Claude Lor- 
 rain is here, and he has been drinking," he announced. 
 "Shall I tell him to call week after next?" 
 
 "No," replied Dick grimly, "admit him. I have 
 been abused all day without having a chance to strike 
 back; it will be a relief to abuse some one else." 
 
 Lorrain entered with his usual assurance. Nothing 
 but a certain sheen to the eyes indicated that he had 
 been drinking. "I'm all in, Dick," he said without
 
 AN EXPLOSION 381 
 
 embarrassment. "I've been on the wrong side of every 
 move and I'm stone broke. What can you do for 
 me?" 
 
 Dick looked at him coldly. "I can send you up 
 for five years, if I want to," he replied with harsh 
 distinctness, "but I don't want to. All I want is to 
 tell you that you are a contemptible scoundrel, and to 
 advise you to leave this country as soon as possible." 
 
 "Is that all?" asked Lorrain with a sneer. "Well, 
 when I want advice, I'll let you know. What I want 
 now is money. You promised all kinds of things to 
 get me over here, now you pretend " 
 
 "Cut it out," interrupted Dick sternly. "It did not 
 require an anasthetic to tear you away from your 
 beloved country, and you had been here before, any- 
 way, and knew the conditions. Emil and Ivan will 
 soon be provided with funds to carry out their plans, 
 or with positions which will make them independent 
 whichever they prefer but as for you, you are a sneak, 
 a thief, a low-grade,treacherous scoundrel." 
 
 It was a luxury to lay a biting emphasis on cadi 
 epithet. 
 
 "You're a liar!" cried Lorrain. 
 
 Dick smiled threateningly, as he stood with his 
 muscles at feline readiness. "Thanks," he said heartily. 
 "I have been called that before, to-day, but was not 
 able properly to resent it. We are about the same size 
 and age. I shall have to ask you to take it bade, at 
 once, or, or I'll punch your head off you thief!" 
 
 As soon as Lorrain had entered the private office, 
 Lorrimer had got down from the stool and had placed
 
 382 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 his ear at the key-hole. Ivan had indignantly pulled 
 him away, but Lorrimer had explained that he was 
 Lorrain's brother and that Lorrain was desperate 
 enough for anything. 
 
 Lorrain had turned white with rage when Dick had 
 ordered him to take back the term, and when Dick had 
 taken a step forward and called him a thief, he had 
 sprung back and placed his hand to his hip pocket. 
 
 At this moment the door opened and Lorrimer 
 entered. The three men stood in strained positions for 
 a moment, and then Dick said with cool hauteur : "Mr. 
 Lorrimer, you seem to have forgotten my instructions. 
 No one is allowed to enter this office without my per- 
 mission. That is all." 
 
 Lorrimer looked at his brother, at Dick, but receiv- 
 ing no notice from either, withdrew and closed the 
 door. 
 
 "Lorrain," said Dick, advancing toward him, "I 
 am going to do you the undeserved honor of whipping 
 you in the good old American style." 
 
 Dick's fists were doubled into large, hard lumps, 
 and in his eyes was the gleam of combat. Lorrain 
 backed toward the door marked "Vice-President," 
 drew a revolver and pointed it at Dick. 
 
 "Put that thing up," ordered Dick'. "Now, under- 
 stand the conditions perfectly ; in my desk I have a gun 
 and a hidden police call, in the outer office are two men 
 who would die for me, but I want a fight, a real fight. 
 I need it, and I insist that you put up that gun." 
 
 Lorrain laughed contemptuously, and there was not 
 a trace of fear in his laughter. "I shall not put up the
 
 AN EXPLOSION 383 
 
 gun," he said. "I hate you. You must not think that 
 because I condescended to live with ruffians for a 
 while, that I shall also brawl with them. You are 
 nothing but a bully. I have nothing to win or lose in 
 life, now, and before I leave it, I am going to get even 
 with you." 
 
 "Not yet," answered Dick with a peculiar smile. "I 
 still have one friend that money can't bribe, smooth 
 words can't wheedle, or a revolver frighten." He 
 paused, looked at Lorrain a second through half-closed 
 eyes, and then called in a loud, clear voice: "Take 
 him, Mulligan, take him!" 
 
 A movement in the corner at Lorrain's right caused 
 him to shift his eyes in that direction, just as the vice- 
 president of the Dickie Nut-Lock Company, came forth 
 from beneath the table, his eyes red with determination, 
 the bristles erect along his back, and his teeth gleaming 
 fiercely. Just as the dog leaped for his throat, Lor- 
 rain whirled and fired point blank. Mulligan fell in 
 a heap to the floor and Dick at the same instant sprang 
 across the intervening distance, seized the smoking 
 revolver in his left hand, and Lorrain's throat in his 
 right. 
 
 \Yith a powerful twist he wrenched the revolver free, 
 cast it to the rug, doubled up his fist and struck Lorrain 
 in the center of his forhead. The blow rendered him 
 unconscious, but Dick was beside himself, and held 
 him erect by the throat while he continued to beat him 
 with his left hand. 
 
 "You have killed him, you have killed him!" he 
 screamed, almost raving. "I'll have your life for this.
 
 384 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 He was worth a dozen such curs as you ! You coward, 
 you sneak" 
 
 Ivan and Lornmer had reached him by this time, 
 but Dick in his rage was a match for all three of them 
 and when they grasped his arms, he loosened his hold 
 on Lorrain and shook them from him as though they 
 had been children. 
 
 Lorrain sank in a heap, and after a glance at him, 
 Dick knelt besid,e the still body of the dog. "Poor 
 little fellow," he said brokenly, "right in the center of 
 the forehead!" 
 
 Dick no longer felt any of the restraints of civiliza- 
 tion ; he turned to the fallen man as if to tear him asun- 
 der, but was stopped by Lorrimer's upraised hand and 
 quiet words : "Please don't, sir. I fear you have gone 
 too far already." 
 
 Lorrimer was kneeling beside Lorrain, and some- 
 thing in his face and manner awakened Dick's slum- 
 bering decency, and he rose to his feet. 
 
 "Here is the bullet in the edge of the table," said 
 Ivan, who had been making an examination. 
 
 Dick instantly looked at the embedded piece of lead, 
 ran his hand over Mulligan's bony skull, which had 
 been designed for the strenuous uses of an active and 
 venturesome career, and exclaimed : "His skull is not 
 broken, the bullet glanced. He's only stunned! I'll 
 take him to the drug-store." 
 
 Dick, all forgetful of the industrial chaos wriicK 
 he had helped to produce, picked up the bulldog and 
 rushed into the outer office, where Emil's busy pencil 
 was still rapidly following the fate of the increasingly
 
 AN EXPLOSION 385 
 
 prosperous penny. "Emil," he called, "telephone a 
 doctor to come to Fenton's drug-store. Bullet wound." 
 
 For the thorough study of philosophy and economics 
 amid scenes of turmoil and violence, it is necessary to 
 cultivate abnormal powers of concentration. Emil 
 slowly raised his head and explained: "I have only 
 figured it to the fifth thousand years, at every year it 
 larger grows and by now " 
 
 "What shall we do with Lorrain?" inquired Ivan, 
 who had followed. 
 
 "I don't care," answered Dick shortly. "Throw him 
 in the garbage barrel if you want to. Clean up the 
 office, tell all callers that I'll be back in a few minutes 
 f and send that doctor to Fenton's." 
 
 Dick slammed the door after him, and Emil climbed 
 down from his stool and wandered curiously into the 
 private office. "Why, there must a fight have been," 
 he said in surprise. "No wonder it was hard my at- 
 tention to hold to my work. I am going to have a 
 private room in the future. Why, it is Lorrain!" 
 
 Lorrimer had thrown water in his brother's face, 
 and now Lorrain began to moan and writhe. 
 
 "What had we better do with him ?" asked Ivan. 
 
 "I shall take him away," replied Lorrimer. "No 
 matter what else he is, he is still my brother. Tell Mr. 
 Bannington that I shall return as soon as possible." 
 
 With Ivan's assistance, Lorrimer helped Lorrain to 
 his feet and after he had walked him about for a few 
 moments, he put his arm around his waist and sup- 
 ported him from the office. 
 
 "Help me straighten this office," said Ivan.
 
 3 86 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "Tell me, how did it happen?" asked Emil. 
 
 As Ivan talked he worked busily and in a few 
 moments the office was set to rights and the two in 
 charge had taken their places behind the wire screen 
 in the outer office. 
 
 Emil arranged his loose pages methodically, sharp- 
 ened his pencil, and set down a formidable row of 
 figures. Suddenly he raised his head, and pointing 
 his index finger slightly above Ivan's head, he said 
 solemnly: "Ivan, I am convinced that affairs in this 
 office are beginning to draw to a climax." 
 
 "I wish that they were settled," rejoined Ivan with 
 a sigh, "so that we could give all our attention to the 
 affairs of the Cause."
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII 
 
 AT THE WHEEL OF THE SUPER-CAR 
 
 I" T was probably five minutes later that the unusual 
 A calm was broken by the entrance of Richard Ban- 
 nington. His step was alert and his face was eager. 
 "Where is Mr. Bannington?" he asked. 
 
 "He was called out on important business, but said 
 that he would return as soon as possible. Won't you 
 take a seat?" 
 
 "I'll take a seat in his office. Tell him I want to see 
 him as soon as he returns." 
 
 The old man shut the door after him and seated him- 
 self in a comfortable rocking-chair. "I wonder what's 
 up, now," he muttered. "Burton wasn't hooked the 
 last time he saw him, and, he's not the man to grab a 
 thing without a good look at it. He was studying 
 about things, though," he added thoughtfully. "Bur- 
 ton's beginning to look old. Well, we've had a good 
 long fight. I must say I rather respect the man." 
 
 He sat with his back to the door, drumming on the 
 arm of his chair, as Kate Burton entered the outer of- 
 fice. "Is Mr. Bannington in ?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes, ma'am, in the private " 
 
 Kate swept through the outer office and into the 
 inner one, closing the door after her. "Oh, I beg your 
 
 387
 
 388 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 pardon," she said on catching sight of Richard. "I 
 thought Mr. Bannington was here." 
 
 The old man looked at her with fatherly approval. 
 Her face was troubled, but her eyes were brighter 
 than ever. "He is here but I suppose you mean my 
 nephew," said the uncle kindly. "He will return in a 
 few moments ; take a seat. It is probable that he will 
 wait on you first." 
 
 "And so you are his uncle," said Kate, looking at 
 him with frank curiosity, "but I should have guessed it, 
 anyway." 
 
 "And pray, who are you?" asked Bannington, his 
 eyes twinkling. 
 
 "Why, I" Kate paused in embarrassment "I 
 am Kate Burton." 
 
 "Humph; any relation to William Steel Mills?" 
 
 "His daughter," replied Kate proudly, and then 
 watched her inquisitor keenly, expecting to see him 
 fly into a rage. 
 
 Bannington stared at her a moment. "Then, who was 
 the other party ?" he asked. 
 
 "What other party ?" asked Kate in surprise. 
 
 "Why, the old one," answered Bannington, chuck- 
 ling. "The one I arrested for trespass and who nearly 
 drove me out of the house." 
 
 "Why, that is Aunt Emma," answered Kate, laugh- 
 ing at the memory of that wonderful night. "Not 
 really my aunt, you know, father's cousin but she has 
 been a mother to me." 
 
 "Have you a blue ribbon ?" 
 
 "Not here, what do you want with it?"
 
 THE SUPER-CAR 389 
 
 "I'm the biggest fool this country has produced, and 
 I want to be decorated," said Bannington, his eyes 
 twinkling again. "But, anyway," he said, rising and ex- 
 tending his hand, "allow me to welcome you into the 
 family." 
 
 "I am not coming into the family," replied Kate, 
 blushing furiously. 
 
 "What!" 
 
 "No, that is all broken off." 
 
 He fixed his keen eyes on her sharply: "Then, what 
 do you mean by coming to his office alone?" he asked 
 bluntly. 
 
 "You are just like Dick !" cried Kate, blushing again. 
 "You are just as mean as you can be. I had to come 
 here on business." 
 
 "What kind of business?" 
 
 "You have no right to ask." 
 
 "Did you love him, once ?" asked Bannington in an 
 unexpectedly gentle voice. 
 
 "Yes," answered Kate in a low tone, turning her 
 face away. 
 
 "How long ago?" 
 
 "Why this morning." 
 
 "Did you love him very much?" 
 
 "Yes, I did this morning." 
 
 "Then you are not over it now," said the old man 
 sternly. "I shan't allow you to be over it. I insist 
 that you marry my nephew and stop all this non- 
 sense." 
 
 "You have no right to talk to me this way," cried 
 Kate, facing him without flinching. "I can't imagine
 
 390 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 why I stayed to listen to you, or why I answered your 
 questions." 
 
 A strange look was on the old man's face. "Child, 
 you are very like your mother," he said. 
 
 "Did you know my mother?" asked Kate eagerly. 
 
 Bannington paced the floor a time or two, a far-away 
 look in his eyes. "Yes, I knew her when I was a boy 
 and she was a little girl, out in Ohio. You are a beauti- 
 ful girl I don't want to hurt your feelings, but your 
 mother there never was such a girl as your mother." 
 
 "Oh, tell me of her," cried Kate, placing her hand 
 on his arm. "No one will ever talk to me of her, and 
 I want you can't know how much I want to hear of 
 her." 
 
 "I am not a poet, girl," replied Richard Bannington 
 gruffly, "and no one else has a right to speak of your 
 mother's girlhood." 
 
 "Well, tell me something," pleaded Kate. 
 
 The old man seated himself in the rocking-chair, and 
 half-closed his eyes. All the harsh lines had left his 
 face and when he spoke his voice was low and mellow. 
 "The gladness of dawn was always shining from her 
 eyes," he said softly, "and her cheeks were peach 
 blossoms scattered over apple blossoms, and her voice 
 was like that of all the song-birds melted into one. She 
 lived in the open, as a girl should, and rode and walked 
 and went berrying, and grew up like a flower dainty 
 and sweet and gentle and " he broke off abruptly 
 and blew his nose with great fierceness. 
 
 Kate put her hand on his shoulder from where she 
 stood behind his chair. Her eyes were filled with
 
 THE SUPER-CAR 391 
 
 happy tears but they did not wet her cKeelcs. "You 
 said that you were not a poet," she whispered, "but I 
 do not believe you. Oh, I am so glad that you have 
 told me about my mother ! Tell me some more, won't 
 you please?" 
 
 "Don't ask me to tell you any more, girl," said Ban- 
 nington, reaching up and taking her hand. "You have 
 the picture of her, just as it has stayed with me, and 
 now you can make up your own fairy tales about her." 
 
 "I want, so much, to hear more of her, and you seem 
 to remember her so well." 
 
 "That is one great trouble with me," said the old man 
 a little bitterly. "I can never forget. And Dick's like 
 me, child: that's why I want you to marry him." 
 
 "Dick is not nearly so nice as you are," protested 
 Kate. "He has a cruel, bad heart; while you are so 
 kind and gentle." 
 
 Bannington smiled grimly. "I suppose you must have 
 overheard some one talking of me. That is my general 
 reputation, is it not?" 
 
 "Well," said Kate, striving to do no one injustice, 
 "they have not seen you as I have." 
 
 "Probably not, probably not," assented Bannington. 
 "You are very much like your mother. What is your 
 name?" 
 
 "Kate." 
 
 "Well, Kate, I want you to marry Diclc. You and 
 I will be allies and we'll soon bring him under dis- 
 cipline." 
 
 "Why do you want me to marry Dick ?" 
 
 "You can't imagine how much I care for the boy,"
 
 392 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 confided the Id man. "He seems like myself over 
 again he is lots like what I was at his age and I 
 know he will never love but once. And, oh, Kate, 
 child, it is an awful thing to love only once, and to be 
 disappointed that once." 
 
 Kate sat on the arm of the chair and her arm stole 
 about his neck. "Did you only love once, and were you 
 disappointed then ?" she asked. 
 
 "That's the whole story of my life," answered Ban- 
 nington shortly. 
 
 "Was it your fault, or was it the girl's ?" she asked. 
 
 "It started in a bit of youthful nonsense we were 
 both proud and, I went away. When I came back, I 
 had made my start in life but it was too late. It was 
 too late then." 
 
 "Had she forgotten you ?" 
 
 "I didn't try to find out. She was engaged to be 
 married, and I did not even see her. I never did see her 
 again." 
 
 "And was she a pretty girl, like my mother?" asked 
 Kate. Suddenly she sprang to her feet and looked into 
 his eyes. "Oh was she my mother ?" she exclaimed. 
 
 The old man only bowed his head in reply. 
 
 "And then that is why you and my father have been 
 such bitter enemies ?" she asked, and then with a puz- 
 zled look, added : "But why should he be bitter against 
 you?" 
 
 "I don't know for sure* and it is just as well that I 
 don't." 
 
 "But you have some idea. Tell me what you think." 
 
 "It hardly seems right to stir up the past ; but some-
 
 THE SUPER-CAR 393 
 
 times its lessons may help us with our own. A mutual 
 friend told me years afterward, that after it was too 
 late and oh, in such a little while it becomes too late. 
 Well, after it was too late, she discovered that after 
 all she had really loved me. She was a good wife; and 
 if she had lived, she would have been a good mother; 
 but and that is why I want you to marry Dick. You 
 do love him, don't you?" 
 
 Kate threw her arms about the old man's neck and 
 buried her face against his shoulder. "Oh, I do I do," 
 she murmured ; "but I never can tell him so now." 
 
 Bannington put his arms about her tenderly and as 
 she settled on his lap, he rocked to and fro. 
 
 "You don't have to tell him, you foolish child," he 
 said, patting her head, "all you have to do is to give 
 him one chance to look into your eyes. I know Dick." 
 
 While the old man continued to rock to and fro, he 
 demonstrated his resemblance to Dick by forgetting 
 entirely that his worldly affairs were in the breakers of 
 a rock-bound coast ; but in the meantime, William Bur- 
 ton had hurriedly entered the outer office. 
 
 "Is Mr. Bannington in ?" he asked. 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied Ivan. "That is, no, not the one 
 you wish to see. Just take a seat." 
 
 "You don't lie gracefully," rejoined Burton with 
 suspicion. "You had better cut it out entirely until you 
 have more experience. Who is with him?" 
 
 "Why, Miss Burton that is, I don't 
 
 But Mr. Burton was already steaming toward the 
 door to the inner office. He threw it open, saw the 
 occupants of the room spring to their feet, without
 
 394 THE STEERING WHEEL! 
 
 remembering to unclasp their hands, and he came to 
 an abrupt stop on the threshold. His eyes gleamed an- 
 grily as he fastened them on his daughter. "What are 
 you doing in this office, and why are you holding that 
 man's hand ?" he demanded, taking a step forward. 
 
 For a moment Kate was too surprised to answer. 
 She continued to hold the old man's hand and to lean 
 against him for support, mental as well as physical. 
 
 A look of horror came into her father's eyes. "You 
 don't mean that there is anything between you?" he 
 gasped. 
 
 "Look here, Burton," said the elder Bannington, 
 "don't be an idiot. This girl is all right, and I am old 
 enough to be her father and I wish to Heaven I was." 
 
 "It means, father," said Kate, recovering, "that I am 
 going to marry Dick Bannington, and that I have just 
 been getting acquainted with my future uncle and I 
 am going to love him dearly." 
 
 A sudden something caught in William Burton's 
 throat. "And what about your old father?" he asked 
 gently. For answer Kate threw her arms about his 
 neck and he resumed with unaccustomed humility. "I 
 know I am silent and reserved, and I don't wear my 
 heart on my sleeve ; but, Kate I have always tried to 
 be a good father to you." 
 
 "You have been, you have been," sobbed Kate. 
 
 "I have loved you with all my heart, daughter," He 
 said, forgetting, as is not uncommon with strong char- 
 acters, that they were not alone, "and I have tried, I 
 have tried but nothing can ever make up to you for 
 what you have lost."
 
 THE SUPER-CAR 395 
 
 Richard Bannington had turned away and was gaz- 
 ing out the window, humming softly to himself and 
 wishing that a fire-escape were within reach. 
 
 "Father, you have done all you can, and I love you 
 with all my heart," said Kate. 
 
 "Then come," said Burton decisively, starting 
 toward the still open door. 
 
 "But, father, I love Dick with all my heart, too ; and 
 I am beginning to love his uncle also, with all my 
 heart." 
 
 "And that's the kind of a heart to have, too," 
 growled Mr. Richard Bannington, turning around 
 from the window. 
 
 "Come, Kate," said Burton stiffly, "we can talk this 
 over better at home." 
 
 "No, we can't," cried Kate impulsively. "You are 
 nothing but a pair of naughty boys, and you have kept 
 up this quarrel entirely too long already. It is high 
 time that you shake hands and make up and that is 
 just what you are going to do." She wilfully took 
 their two right hands and joined them while they 
 actually did look as sheepish and awkward as two boys 
 under similar conditions. "Now look into each other's 
 eyes, and smile oh, smile more of a smile than that." 
 The two men looked into each other's eyes and they 
 actually did smile. At first it was only with a great ef- 
 fort, but finally the smile became frank and free. 
 "Now then," said Kate buoyantly, "I pronounce you 
 fast friends for ever more and let no man put asun- 
 der, what I have joined together." 
 
 "Burton," said Bannington with a hearty grip,
 
 396 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 "we've been a couple of old fools, I hope this is the end 
 of our nonsense. You've got the finest girl there is." 
 
 "Well, I'm ready to quit," responded Burton, return- 
 ing the grip, "and I want to say, Bannington, that that 
 nephew of yours is built on just the specifications I 
 should draw up if I were having a son built to order." 
 
 Kate slipped an arm about each of their necks. 
 "This is the very finest gathering I ever attended," she 
 cried enthusiastically. 
 
 They each put an arm about her waist, and as they 
 talked, they swayed rhythmically to and fro. It was 
 this curious scene which met Dick's gaze as he opened 
 the door of his outer office, bearing in his arms the con- 
 valescent Mulligan, who felt fully able to walk, but had 
 rather enjoyed the sensation which he had caused while 
 being borne along the street with his head bandaged. 
 
 Dick was in rather low spirits. As soon as he had 
 found that Mulligan was not in a dangerous condition, 
 and the excitement of the struggle had died away, his 
 own situation descended on him heavily. Both his 
 uncle and Mr. Burton had refused to merge, and Kate 
 had said that all was over between them. If he was 
 defeated in his industrial raid, he knew that all was in- 
 deed over, for he was determined to hide himself from 
 the gaze of all who had ever known him. While he was 
 waiting for the bandage to be adjusted, he had pur- 
 chased an extra, which brought him an additional de- 
 pression. It stated that the market had closed much 
 stronger than it had opened, that Bannington and Bur- 
 ton had been in secret conference most of the day at 
 an obscure office on the East Side, and this was taken to
 
 THE SUPER-CAR 397 
 
 indicate that they had been acting in unison all along 
 and that the depression in steel stocks had been for the 
 sole purpose of freezing out the small holders. 
 
 "This is how a rocket feels, when it starts the return 
 trip," said Dick, with Spartan facetiousness, as he 
 picked up a far heavier burden than his dog, and 
 started back to his office the office from which he had 
 meant to rule the steel industry. 
 
 Now, as he stood in the outer office, it seemed per- 
 fectly clear that his uncle had carried out his threat, 
 had merged with Burton and had cut him off entirely, 
 and that Kate was assisting at their jubilee. 
 
 "We'll marry off the young folk, merge the two 
 plants, and after that we can run things on a com- 
 fortable basis," said Burton merrily. 
 
 "Surest thing in the world," assented Richard joy- 
 fully. "Together we can control the mines, transporta- 
 tion, price, and output oh, it's a great deal!" 
 
 "And we'll make that young cub of yours president 
 of the combine. He's got the youth, and he's got the 
 nerve." 
 
 "And now that he's had a taste," added Bannington, 
 "you couldn't pry him loose with a crowbar. We'll 
 start in to-morrow, bear the market a little, buy in the 
 timid shares, let in a little more money, and then " 
 
 "Oh, it sounds just like a fairy tale," cried Kate, 
 hugging them joyfully. 
 
 Dick placed the vice-president on his feet, and 
 cleared his throat. The group in the private office 
 turned to face him at the sound, and he advanced a few 
 steps and said solemnly: "But don't forget that as
 
 398 THE STEERING WHEEL 
 
 president of the new combine, I am to dictate its 
 policies, and that may have some effect on the fairy 
 tale. I have not changed my principles one jot. I still 
 believe in universal brotherhood, and I still have sym- 
 pathy for suffering humanity, and I am still going to 
 devote the balance of my life to bringing about a con- 
 dition wherein poverty will be impossible and crime an 
 indication of insanity. 
 
 "For this purpose, I shall continue to maintain these 
 offices at ninety-six Nathan, and Ivan and Emil will 
 have the chance they have waited for so long." 
 
 Dick had spoken in firm, ringing tones, and when 
 he stopped he started toward Kate, who had suddenly 
 been overcome with an attack of exceeding great shy- 
 ness, and had retreated to that corner which was 
 shielded by a large Japanese screen. Dick followed her 
 behind it, remembering Miss Burton's last instructions, 
 and the two older men turned modestly and gazed out 
 the convenient window. 
 
 "Let him talk all he wants to," whispered Banning- 
 ton with a sly wink. "He'll do the right thing when the 
 pinch comes." 
 
 "Not a doubt of it," responded Burton, returning the 
 wink. "We all have to go through this stage; but it 
 don't last long. One good fight with the unions will 
 line him up for the rest of his life." 
 
 "What do you think has happened ?" whispered Ivan, 
 nudging Emil. 
 
 "Don't bother me," grunted Emil, "I have not yet 
 figured the interest down to the sixth thousand year."
 
 THE SUPER-CAR 399 
 
 "And will you love me this way always ?" whispered 
 Kate behind the screen. 
 
 "At least, I shall never love you any less," answered 
 Dick without the smallest trace of doubt in his voice. 
 
 Mulligan, who had again retired under the table in 
 the corner, now rapped his tail on the floor as a token 
 of satisfaction ; but Mulligan was sound asleep and in 
 his dreams the revolver had not exploded until after his 
 leap had been brought to a successful issue. 
 
 THE END
 
 A FEW OF 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP'S 
 Great Books at Little Prices 
 
 NEW. CLEVER. ENTERTAINING. 
 
 GR byC MRdy2 aagan - y Beat ri" Mantle. Titrated 
 
 L by twfrd?Se TALES ' By Margaret Ddand ' Illustrated 
 
 A vivid yet delicate portrayal of characters in an old New England town 
 
 Dr. Lavendar's fine, kindly wisdom is brought to bear upont 1 , , f 
 
 all permeating the whole volume like the pungent odor o($n*, heaUhfSl 
 
 abide! 8Wmg ' Chester Tales " will surely be among the books that 
 
 THE MEMOIRS OF A BABY. By Josephine Daskam. Illus- 
 trated by F. Y. Cory. 
 
 The dawning intelligence of the baby was grappled with by its great aunt 
 in elderly maiden, whose book knowledge ofbabies was something at which 
 -ven the infant himself winked. A delicious bit of humor. 
 REBECCA MARY. By Annie Hamilton Donnell. Illustrated 
 by Elizabeth Shippen Green. 
 
 The heart tragedies of this little girl with no one near to share them, are 
 told with a delicate art, a keen appreciation of the needs of the childish 
 heart and a humorous knowledge of the workings of the childish mind. 
 THE FLY ON THE WHEEL By Katherine Cecil Thnrston, 
 Frontispiece by Harrison Fisher. 
 
 An Irish story of real power, perfect in development and showing a true 
 conception of the spirited Hibernian character as displayed in the tragic as 
 well as the tender phases of life. 
 
 THE MAN FROM BRODNEY'S. By George Ban McCutcheon. 
 
 Illustrated by Harrison Fisher. 
 
 An island in the South Sea is the setting for this entertaining tale, and 
 an all-conquering hero and a beautiful princess figure in a most complicated 
 plot. One of Mr. McCutche n's best books.. 
 
 TOLD BY UNCLE REMUS. By Joel Chandler Harris. Illus- 
 trated by A. B. Frost, J. M. Conde and Frank Verbeck. 
 
 Again Uncle Remus enters the fields of childhood, and leads another 
 little boy to that non-lqcatable land called " Brer Rabbit's Laughing 
 Place," and again the quaint animals spring into active life and play their 
 parts, for the edification of a small but appreciative audience. 
 
 THE CLIMBER. By I; F. Benson. With frontispiece. 
 
 An unsparing analysis of an ambitious woman's soul a woman who 
 believed that in social supremacy she would find happiness, and who finds 
 instead the utter despair of one who has chosen the things that pass away. 
 
 LYNCH'S DAUGHTER. By Leonard Merrick. Illustrated by 
 
 Oeo. Brehm. 
 
 A story of to-day, telling how a rich girl acquires ideals of beautiful and 
 simple living, and of men and love, quite apart trom the teachings of her 
 father, " Old Man Lynch "lofiWall St. True to life, clever in treatment 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP'S 
 
 DRAMATIZED NOVELS 
 
 A Few that are Making Theatrical History 
 
 MARY" JANE'S PA. By No.Tnan Way. Illustrated with scene* 
 
 from the play. 
 
 ^Delightful, irresponsible " Mary Jane's Pa" awakes one morning to find 
 ftunself famous, and, genius being ill adapted to domestic ioys, he wanders 
 from home to work out his own unique destiny. One of the most humorouf 
 bits of recent fiction. 
 
 CHERUB DEVINE. By Sewell Ford. 
 
 " Cherub," a good hearted but not over refined young man is brought fo 
 touch with the aristocracy. Of sprightly wit, he is sometimes a merciless 
 analyst, but he proves in the end that manhood counts for more than and* 
 ent lineage by winning the love of the fairest girl in the flock. 
 
 A WOMAN'S WAY. By Charles Somerville. Illustrated with 
 
 scenes from the play. 
 
 A story in which a woman's wit and self-sacrificing love save her husband 
 from the toils of an adventuress, and change an apparently tragic situation 
 into one of delicious comedy. 
 
 THE CLIMAX. By George C. Jenks. 
 
 With ambition luring her on, a young choir soprano leaves the little village 
 Where she was born and the limited audience of St. Tude's to train for the 
 opera in New York. She leaves love behind her and meets love more ardent 
 but not more sincere in her new environment. How she works, how she 
 Studies, how she suffers, are vividly portrayed. 
 
 A FOOL THERE WAS. By Porter Emerson Browne. Illus- 
 trated by Edmund Magrath and W. W. Fawcett. 
 A relentless portrayal of the career of a man who C9mes under the influence 
 of a beautiful but evil woman : how she lures him on and on, how he 
 struggles, falls and rises, only to fall again into her net, make a story of 
 unflinching realism 
 
 THE SQUAW MAN. By Julie Opp Faversham and Edwin 
 
 Milton Royle. Illustrated with scenes from the play. 
 A glowing story, rapid in action, bright hi dialogue with a fine courageous 
 hero and a beautiful English heroine. 
 
 THE GIRL IN WAITING. By Archibald Eyre. Illustrated 
 
 with scenes from the play. 
 
 A droll little comedy of misunderstandings, told with a light touch, a ven- 
 turesome spirit and an eye for human oddities. 
 
 THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL. By Baroness Orczy. Illus- 
 trated with scenes from the play. 
 
 A realistic story of the days of the French Revolution, abounding in 
 dramatic incident, with a young English soldier of fortune, daring, mysteri- 
 ous as the hero, 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK
 
 A FEW OF 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP'S 
 Great Books at Little Prices 
 
 QUINCY ADAMS SAWYER. A Picture of New 
 England Home Life. With illustrations by C. W, 
 Reed, and Scenes Reproduced from the Play. 
 One of the best New England stories 'ever written. It is 
 lull of homely human interest * * * there is a wealth of New 
 England village character, scenes and incidents * * * forcibly, 
 vividly and truthfully drawn. Few books have enjoyed a 
 greater sale and popularity. Dramatized, it made the great- 
 est rural play of recent times. 
 
 THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF QUINCY 
 ADAMS SAWYER. By Charles Felton Pidgin. 
 Illustrated by Henry Roth. 
 
 All who love honest sentiment, quaint and sunny humor, 
 and homespun philosophy will find these " Further Adven- 
 tures" a book after their own heart 
 
 HALF A CHANCE. By Frederic S. Isham. Illus- 
 trated by Herman Pfeifer. 
 
 The thrfll of excitement will keep the reader in a state of 
 Suspense, and he will become personally concerned from the 
 start, as to the central character, a very real man who suffers, 
 dares and achieves I 
 
 VIRGINIA OF THE AIR LANES. By Herbert 
 
 Quick. Illustrated by William R. Leigh. 
 The author has seized the romantic moment for the airship 
 novel, and created the pretty story of " a lover and his lass 
 contending with an elderly relative for the monopoly of the 
 skies. An exciting tale of adventure in midair. 
 
 THE GAME AND THE CANDLE. By Eleanor M. 
 
 Ingram. Illustrated by P. D. Johnson. 
 The hero is a young American, who, to save his family from 
 poverty, deliberately commits a felony. Then follow his cap- 
 ture and imprisonment, and his rescue by a Russian Grand 
 Duke. A stirring story, rich in sentiment. 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK
 
 A FEW OF 
 
 GROSSE1 & DUNLAP'S 
 Great Books at Little Prices 
 
 THE MUSIC MASTER. By Charles Klein. Illustrated 
 
 by John Rae. 
 
 This marvelously vivid narrative turns upon the search of a Ger- 
 man musician in JNew York for his little daughter. Mr. Klein has 
 well portrayed his pathetic struggle with poverty, his varied expe- 
 riences in endeavoring to meet the demands of a public not trained 
 to an appreciation of the classic, and his final great hour when, in 
 the rapidly shifting events of a big city, his little daughter, now a 
 beautiful young woman, is brought to his very door. A superb bit 
 of fiction, palpitating with the life of the great metropolis. The 
 play in which David Warfield scored his highest success. 
 
 DR. LAVENDAR'S PEOPLE. By Margaret Deland. 
 
 Illustrated by Lucius Hitchcock. 
 
 Mrs. Deland won so many friends through Old Chester Tales 
 that this volume needs no introduction beyond its title. The lova- 
 ble doctor is more ripened in this later book, and the simple come- 
 dies and tragedies of the old village are told with dramatic charm. 
 
 OLD CHESTER TALES. By Margaret Deland. Illustrated 
 
 by Howard Pyle. 
 
 Stories portraying with delightful humor and pathos a quaint peo- 
 ple in a sleepy old town. Dr. Lavendar, a very human and lovable 
 "preacher," is the connecting link between these dramatic stories 
 from life. 
 HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS WIFE. By E. P. Roe. 
 
 With frontispiece. 
 
 The hero is a farmer a man with honest, sincere views of life. 
 Beieft of his wife, his home is cared for by a succession of domes- 
 tics of varying degrees of inefficiency until, from a most unpromis- 
 ing source, comes a young woman who not only becomes his wife 
 but commands his respect and eventually wins his love. A bright 
 and dalicate romance, revealing on both sides a love that surmounts 
 all difficulties and survives the censure of friends as well as the bit- 
 terness of enemies. 
 
 THE YOKE. By Elizabeth Miller. 
 
 Against the historical background of the days when the children 
 of Israel were delivered from the bondage of Egypt, the author has 
 sketched a romance of compelling charm. A biblical novel as great 
 as any since " Ben Hur." 
 
 SAUL OF TARSUS. By Elizabeth Miller. Illustrated by 
 
 Andre* Castaigne. 
 
 The scenes of this story are laid in Jerusalem, Alexandria, Rome 
 and Damascus. The Apostle Paul, the Martyr Stephen, Herod 
 Agrippa and the Emperors Tiberius and Caligula are among the 
 mighty figures that move through the pages. Wonderful descrip- 
 tions, and a love story of the purest and noblest type mark this 
 most remarkable religious romance. 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK
 
 A FEW OF 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP'S 
 Great Books at Little Prices 
 
 CY WHITTAKER'S PLACE. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 
 Illustrated by Wallace Morgan. 
 
 A Cape Cod story describing the amusing efforts of an el- 
 derly bachelor and his two cronies to rear and educate a little 
 girl. Full of honest fun a rural drama. 
 THE FORGE IN THE FOREST. By Charles G. D. 
 Roberts. Illustrated by H. Sandham. 
 
 A story of the conflict in Acadia after its conquest by the 
 British. A dramatic picture that lives and shines with the in- 
 definable oharm of poetic romance. 
 
 A SISTER TO EVANGELINE. By Charles G. D. 
 Roberts. Illustrated by E. McConnelL 
 
 Being the story of Yvonne de Lamourie, and how she went 
 into exfle with the villagers of Grand Pre. Swift action, 
 fresh atmosphere, wholesome purity, deep passion and search- 
 ing analysis characterize this strong novel. 
 
 THE OPENED SHUTTERS. By Clara Louise Burn- 
 ham. Frontispiece by Harrison Fisher. 
 
 A summer haunt on an island in Casco Bay is the back- 
 ground for this romance. A beautiful woman, at discord with 
 life, is brought to realize, by her new friends, that she may 
 open the shutters of her soul to the blessed sunlight of joy by 
 casting aside vanity and self love. A delicately humorous 
 work with a lofty motive underlying it all. 
 THE RIGHT PRINCESS. By Clara Louise Burnham. 
 
 An amusing story, opening at a fashionable Long Island re* 
 sort, where a stately Englishwoman employs a forcible New 
 England housekeeper to serve in her interesting home. How 
 types so widely apart react on each others' live*, all to ulti- 
 mate good, makes a story both humorous and rich in sentiment 
 THE LEAVEN OF LOVE. By Clara Louise Bum- 
 ham. Frontispiece by Harrison Fisher. 
 
 At a Southern California resort a world-weary woman, youne 
 and beautiful but disillusioned, meets a girl who has learned 
 the art of living of tasting life in all its richness, opuleno* and 
 joy. The story hinges upon the change wrought in the sou' 
 of the blase woman by this glimpse into a cheery life. 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP V 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK
 
 A FEW OF 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP'S 
 Great Books at Little Prices 
 
 BRUVVER JIM'S BABY. By Philip Verrill Mighels. 
 
 An uproariously funny story of a tiny mining settlement in the 
 West, which is shaken to the very roots by the sudden possession 
 of a baby, found on the plains by one of its residents. The town is 
 as disreputable a spot as the gold fever was ever responsible for, 
 and the coming of that baby causes the upheaval of every rooted 
 tradition of the place. Its christening, the problems of its toys and 
 its illness supersede in the minds of the miners all thought of earthy 
 treasure. 
 
 THE FURNACE OF GOLD. By Philip Verrill Mighels, 
 author of " Bruvver Jim's Baby." Illustrations by J. N- 
 Marchand. 
 
 An accurate and informing portrayal of scenes, types, and condi- 
 tions of the mining districts in modern Nevada. 
 
 The book is an out-door story, clean, exciting, exemplifying no- 
 bility and courage of character, and bravery, and heroism in the sort 
 of men and women we all admire and wish to know. 
 
 THE MESSAGE. By Louis Tracy. Illustrations by Joseph 
 C. Chase. 
 
 A breezy tale of how a bit of old parchment, concealed in a figure- 
 head from a sunken vessel, comes into the possession of a pretty 
 girl and an army man during regatta week in the Isle of Wight. 
 This is the message and it enfolds a mystery, the development of 
 which the reader will follow with breathless interest. 
 THE SCARLET EMPIRE. By David M. Parry. Illus- 
 trations by Hermann C. Wall. 
 
 A young socialist, weary of life, plunges into the sea and awakes 
 in the lost island of Atlantis, known as the Scarlet Empire, where 
 a social democracy is in full operation, granting every man a living 
 but limiting food, conversation, education and marriage. 
 
 The hero passes through an enthralling love affair and other ad- 
 Tentures but finally returns to his own New York world. 
 
 THE THIRD DEGREE, By Charles Klein and Arthur 
 Hornblow. Illustrations by Clarence Rowe. 
 
 A novel which exposes the abuses in this country of the police 
 system. 
 
 The son of an aristocratic New York family marries a woman 
 socially beneath him, but of strong, womanly qualities that, later 
 on, save the man from the tragic consequences of a dissipated life. 
 
 The wife believes in his innocence and her wit and good sense 
 help her to win against the tremendous odds imposed by law. 
 
 THE THIRTEENTH DISTRICT. By Brand Whitlock. 
 A realistic western story of love and politics and a searching study 
 of their influence on character. The author shows with extraordi- 
 nary vitality of treatment the tricks, the heat, the passion, the tu- 
 mult of the political arena the triumph and strength of love. 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK