In consequence he was unable to fill the contract without ruin, and he was therefore ruined.

In the end the old friend of his father, who had purchased his patrimony, remained in undisputed possession of it, with an additional value of several thousands from the passage of the railroad through one end of the plantation, and had, besides, the mine.

Arthur had sold the mine at a nominal price to pay his debts, to a third party who represented this man.

He had been left actually penniless with a wife and two babies to support, but as his pocket became empty his very soul had seemed to become full to overflowing with the rage and bitterness of his worldly experience.

He had learned that the man whom he had trusted had instigated the strike; he learned about the railroad deal.