"Oh, that's it?" observed the man thoughtfully. "Well, he won't own it tomorrow."

"Why not?"

"Dorsett is going to get him, that's why."

"You mean seize on the factory, don't you?" inquired Ralph.

The man stared at Ralph fixedly. He was silent for nearly two minutes.

He seemed to be turning something over in his mind. He gazed at the coin Ralph had given him. Then he glanced over his shoulder to see if any lurker was watching them.

"See here," he asked in a low tone, "you're on Glidden's side, of course?"

"Yes, strongly."

"You've been good to me. Saved me from starving. I'll do something for you. Between twelve and one o'clock tomorrow morning, Dorsett and his men are going to pull that factory up yonder to pieces."

CHAPTER XXII

HOLDING THE FORT

Ralph was a good deal startled at the statement of the man whom he had helped to some advantage, it seemed. He did not, however, show it. The man was grateful to him, and Ralph counted on his relating something further.

"I would be glad to have you tell me a little more about this business,"

he said. "As I told you, I am a good deal interested in the welfare of Mr. Glidden."

"Are, eh?" grinned the man. "So was I--in the wrong way. Just now it doesn't matter one way or the other. The crowd Dorsett was working with has set me adrift, and I've got nothing to expect from them. What is it you want to know, guv'nor?"

"Just this," answered Ralph--"any tricks they are up to that aren't square."

"Lots of those, guv'nor. Dorsett is bound to break up Glidden, if he can."

"I know that; I understand he has bought up a big claim against Mr.

Glidden and will put it into execution tomorrow if it isn't paid."

"That's right."

"And it will put Mr. Glidden to a lot of costs to redeem his plant."

"Say, guv'nor," here interrupted the man--"there'll be no redeeming in the case."

"Why not?"

"Because the money isn't what Dorsett is after. He's got lots of that.

He simply wants to squeeze Glidden so close that he'll holler and quit.

He's bent on rooting out the plant entire. Then when he's got Glidden down in the mud, he expects he'll sell him his secret chemical process for a mere song."

"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Ralph hotly.

"I knew that long ago," coolly chuckled the fellow. "If you're interested, let me give you a tip."

"I shall be thankful."

"Get the lawyer to have some one stay all night at the plant."

"There's the foreman, Bartlett, I understand."

"Yes, day times. You do as I say."

"I'll stay myself."

"That might do. You are interested, aren't you, mightily? Then so am I.

Say, inasmuch as I've blabbed a part of it, out with the whole, say I.

There's going to be a raid on the factory, as I hinted to you, just after midnight."

"A raid?"

"Exactly. To-morrow the time for Glidden to put up a bond or pay the four thousand dollars expires."

"Yes," replied Ralph, "and by ten o'clock, court time, it will be paid."

"Too late."

"Eh?"

"Hours too late--nigh on to half a day too late."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's a fact."

"In what way?"

The man screwed his eyes up shrewdly as if he enjoyed making a clever disclosure. Then he said:

"Dorsett has made an arrangement with a drunken justice of the peace in the next township to open office at one minute after twelve, midnight.

The justice will issue an execution. Inside of an hour Dorsett and his men will be at the factory. They don't have to wait for court time. They intend to levy on the machinery only. They won't put a custodian in charge nor wait for redemption nor anything else. They'll simply rip out all those valuable tank machines and piping that cost a fortune, bid the plunder in at old junk prices and gobble up everything else before Glidden or his lawyer are awake and out of bed."

"My man," spoke Ralph rapidly, and moved to indignation and excitement almost beyond control, "are you sure of what you say?"

"As I was, up to this morning, one of the men who was to help in wrecking the plant, I reckon I know what I'm talking about," answered the man.

"I will pay you to take me up to the plant," said Ralph, "as quickly as you can."

"You'll pay me nothing," replied the other. "You needn't be afraid of any trouble until midnight. Dorsett is too keen to overslip the law in any way. His men may hang around and dog your footsteps and spy about and all that, but they'll do no harm until Dorsett has the power right in his hands. Then--look out."