differences of opinion to be reconciled. The entire board sat on my
proposition--as a unit."

Adair laughed with imperturbable good-humor.

"The factions were there, just the same. You see, it's like this:
Brewster and Magnus and two or three more are pretty well-to-do, and
their holdings in P. S-W. don't cut much of a figure with them, one way
or another. The others have more stock in the company, and fewer
millions. When the jangle came, Brewster and the heavy men said, 'Oh,
let it go; it isn't worth bothering with.' Naturally, the little
fellows, with more to lose and less money-nerve, said, 'No.'"

"It spells the same word for me, in any event," Ford commented, and went
on pitching things into his steamer trunk.

Adair got upon his feet and strolled away to the window.

When he turned again to face the beaten one he said:

"If I wasn't so infernally lazy, Mr. Ford, I more than half believe that
I could pull this thing off for you, myself. But that is the curse of
being born with too much money. I can take a plunge into business now
and then--I've done it. But my best friend couldn't bet on me two days
in succession."

Ford looked up quickly.

"Then don't put your hand to this plow, Mr. Adair. I'll be frank with
you. I can fit the mechanical parts of this scheme of mine together, so