"Can I have a few moments with you, sir?"
Sypher bade him be seated. Since his defection to the enemy, Shuttleworth had avoided his chief as much as possible, the excess of sorrow over anger in the latter's demeanor toward him being hard to bear. He had slunk about, not daring to meet his eyes. This morning, however, he reeked of conscious virtue.
"I have a proposal to put before you, with which I think you'll be pleased," said he.
"I'm glad to hear it," said Sypher.
"I'm proud to say," continued Shuttleworth, "that it was my suggestion, and that I've carried it through. I was anxious to show you that I wasn't ungrateful for all your past kindnesses, and my leaving you was not as disloyal as you may have thought."
"I never accused you of disloyalty," said Sypher. "You had your wife and children. You did the only thing possible."
"You take a load off my mind," said Shuttleworth.
He drew a long breath, as though relieved from an intolerable burden.
"What is your proposal?" asked Sypher.
"I am authorized by the Jebusa Jones Company to approach you with regard to a most advantageous arrangement for both parties. It's your present intention to close down the factory and shut up this office as soon as things can be wound up."