"Let him come up.

We might as well have it out now." Mr.Bagley went out and returned almost immediately, followed by a short, fat man, rather loudly dressed and apoplectic in appearance.

He looked like a prosperous brewer, while, as a matter of fact, he was president of a gas company, one of the shrewdest promoters in the country, and a big man in Wall Street.

There was only one bigger man and that was John Ryder.

But, to-day, Mr.
Herts was not in good condition.