"I am not a socialist, Mr.Harley, but you and your methods have made thousands upon thousands of them in this country during the past ten years.""We shall not discuss that, Mr.Hobart, nor, indeed, is any discussion necessary.Frankly, I am greatly disappointed in you.I have for some time been dissatisfied with your management, but I did not, of course, know you held these anarchistic views.I want, however, to be perfectly just.You are a very good business man indeed, careful and thorough.That you have not a bold enough grasp of mind for the place you hold is due, perhaps, tothese dangerous ideas that have unsettled you.Your salary will be continued for six months.Is that satisfactory?""No, sir.I could not be willing to accept it longer than to-day.And when you say bold enough, why not be plain and say unscrupulous enough?" amended the younger man.
"As you like.I don't juggle with words.The point is, you don't succeed.This adventurer, Ridgway, scores continually against you.He has beaten you clear down the line from start to finish.Is that not true?""Because he does not hesitate to stoop to anything,because--" "Precisely.You have given the very reason why he must be fought inthe same spirit.Business ethics would be as futile against him as chivalry in dealing with a jungle-tiger.""You would then have had me stoop to any petty meanness to win, no matter how contemptible?"The New Yorker waved him aside with a patient, benignant gesture."I don't care for excuses.I ask of my subordinates success.You do not get it for me.I must find a man who can."Hobart bowed with fine dignity.The touch of disdain in his slight smile marked his sense of the difference between them.He was again his composed rigid self.
"Can you arrange to allow my resignation to take effect as soon as possible? I should prefer to have my connection with the company severed before any action is taken against these mines.""At once--to-day.Your resignation may be published in the Herald this afternoon, and you will then be acquitted of whatever may follow.""Thank you." Hobart hesitated an instant before he said: "There is a point that I have already mentioned to you which, with your permission, I must again advert to.The temper of the miners has been very bitter since you refused to agree to Mr.Ridgway's proposal for an eight-hour day.I would urge upon you to take greater precautions against a personal attack.You have many lawless men among your employees.They are foreigners for the most part, unused to self-restraint.It is only right you should know they execrate your name."The great man smiled blandly."Popularity is nothing to me.I haveneither sought it nor desired it.Given a great work to do, with the Divine help I have done it, irrespective of public clamor.For many years I have lived in the midst of alarms, Mr.Hobart.I am not foolhardy.What precautions I can reasonably take I do.For the rest, my confidence is in an all-wise Providence.It is written that not even a sparrow falls without His decree.In that promise I put my trust.If I am to be cut off it can only be by His will.'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' Such, I pray, may be the humble and grateful spirit with which I submit myself to His will."The retiring manager urged the point no further."If you have decided upon my successor and he is on the ground I shall be glad to give the afternoon to running over with him the affairs of the office.It would be well for him to retain for a time my private secretary and stenographer.""Mr.Mott will succeed you.He will no doubt be glad to have your assistance in helping him fall into the routine of the office, Mr.Hobart."Harley sent for Mott at once and told him of his promotion.The two men were closeted together for hours, while trusted messengers went and came incessantly to and from the mines.Hobart knew, of course, that plans were in progress to arm such of the Consolidated men as could be trusted, and that arrangements were being made to rush the Taurus and the New York.Everything was being done as secretly as possible, but Hobart's experience of Ridgway made it obvious to him that this excessive activity could not pass without notice.His spies, like those of the trust, swarmed everywhere.
