by four fifths. War has made the prices go up. This is not wealth, it is
riches beyond calculation."

He picked up a letter, read it over. It was a proposal from the
superintendent to clear more land, to build more buildings, to install
more machines, to employ more children and increase the profits greatly.

"I'll do it," said the man. "We can crush opposition absolutely. I'll
control the markets of the world. I'll build a fortune upon this
foundation so great that no one can comprehend it."

He stopped, leaned back in his chair, lifted his eyes up toward the
ceiling of the room and saw beyond it the kingdoms of this world and the
means unlimited to make him lord and master. He gave no thought to the
foundations, only to the structure erected by his fancy. How long he
indulged in dreams he scarcely realized, but presently he put his hands
on the arms of the chair and started to rise, saying,

"I'll telegraph the superintendent to go ahead."

He had scarcely formulated the words when right in front of him, seated
on his desk, he saw a young lad regarding him intently. He stopped,
petrified, in the position he had assumed.

"How did you get in? What are you doing here?" he asked. There was no
answer. "Come," said the man, shrinking back. "I can't imagine how you
got in here. If my people had not all gone I should hold them to strict
account. As it is, you--"

The room was suddenly filled with people. They came crowding through the