It was while recovering from the effects of the night's attack that Philip little by little learned of the facts that led up to the assault.
There had been a growing feeling of discontent in all the mills, and it had finally taken shape in the Ocean Mill, which was largely owned and controlled by Mr.Winter.The discontent arose from a new scale of wages submitted by the company.

It was not satisfactory to the men, and the afternoon of that evening on which Philip had gone down to the hall a committee of the mill men had waited on Mr.Winter, and after a long conference had gone away without getting any satisfaction.

They could not agree on the proposition made by the company and by their own labor organization.

Later in the day one of the committee, under instructions, went to see Mr.Winter alone, and came away from the interview very much excited and angry.

He spent the first part of the evening in a saloon, where he related a part of his interview with the mill-owner, and said that he had finally kicked him out of the office.