The receiver's course had been quickly chosen at the interruption.
It was not wise to anger these men too much. Although he had
planned to get the money into his own possession, he now thought
it best to leave it here for the present. He could come back at
any time when they were off guard and get it. Beyond the door
against which he stood lay three hundred thousand dollars--
weighed, sacked, sealed, and ready to move out of the custody of
this Virginian whose confidence he had tried so fruitlessly to
gain.

As McNamara looked into the angry eyes of the lean-faced men
beyond the grating, he felt that the game was growing close, and
his blood tingled at the thought. He had not planned on a
resistance so strong and swift, but he would meet it. He knew that
they hungered for his destruction and that Glenister was their
leader. He saw further that the man's hatred now stared at him
openly for the first time. He knew that back of it was something
more than love for the dull metal over which they wrangled, and
then a thought came to him.

"Some of your work, eh, Glenister?" he mocked. "Were you afraid to
come alone, or did you wait till you saw me with a lady?"

At the same instant he opened a door behind him, revealing Helen
Chester. "You'd better not walk out with me, Miss Chester. This
man might--well, you're safer here, you know. You'll pardon me for
leaving you." He hoped he could incite the young man to some rash
act or word in the presence of the girl, and counted on the
conspicuous heroism of his own position, facing the mob single-