“He can’t. Competition’s too keen. He’s not in the trust.”

“Oh, he’ll meet the situation somehow. He’s got a long head. You should have had the strike. You’ve made a mistake.”

Lamar laughed. “You’re too impatient,” he said. “You don’t see the end of the plot. There’s going to be a strike.”

“Who says so?”

“I do.”

“Haven’t the men just signed a new wage-scale?”

“Yes, but there’s going to be a strike just the same.”

“On what ground?”

“Bricky Hoover’s going to be discharged.”

“How do you know that?”