Dangerous Days

Old Herman sat up, and listened sourly. But after a time he got up and

pouring some water out of the kettle, proceeded to shave himself.

And Rudolph talked on. If now he were to go back, and it were to the

advantage of the Fatherland and of the workers of the world to hamper

the industry, who so able to do it as Herman.

"Hamper? How?" Herman asked, suspiciously, holding his razor aloft. He

had a great fear of the law.

Rudolph re-assured him, cunning eyes averted.

"Well, a strike," he suggested. "The men'll listen to you. God knows

they've got a right to strike."

"I shall not go back," said Herman stolidly, and finished his shaving.

But Rudolph was satisfied. He left Herman sitting again by the fire, but

his eyes were no longer brooding. He was thinking, watching the smoke

curl up from the china-bowled German pipe which he had brought from the

Fatherland, and which he used only on special occasions.