It was the battle which causes more than ninety out of every hundred in independent business to fail--and of the remaining ten, how many succeed only because they either escaped the notice of the brigands or compromised with them?
"I wish you luck," said Jenkins, when, at the end of two weeks of his tutelage, Arthur told him he would try it alone.
Arthur laughed.

"No, you don't, Jenkins," replied he, with good-humored bluntness.

"But I'm going to have it, all the same." Discriminating prices and freight rates against his grain, discriminating freight rates against his flour; the courts either powerless to aid him or under the rule of bandits; and, on the top of all, a strike within two weeks after Jenkins left--such was the situation.

Arthur thought it hopeless; but he did not lose courage nor his front of serenity, even when alone with Madelene.

Each was careful not to tempt the malice of fate by concealments; each was careful also not to annoy the other with unnecessary disagreeable recitals.