Kurt ran indoors, thinking hard as he changed clothes.  He told the housekeeper to tell Jerry he was called away and would be back next day.  Putting money and a revolver in his pocket, he started out, but hesitated and halted.  He happened to think that he was a poor shot with a revolver and a fine one with a rifle.  So he went back for his rifle, a small high-power, repeating gun that he could take apart and hide under his coat.  When he reached the porch the official glanced from the weapon to Kurt’s face and said, with a flash of spirit: 

“It appears that you are in earnest!”

“I am.  Something told me to take this,” responded Kurt, as he dismounted the rifle.  “I’ve already had one run-in with an I.W.W.  I know tough customers when I see them.  These foreigners are the kind I don’t want near me.  And if I see one trying to fire the wheat I’ll shoot his leg off.”

“I’m inclined to think that Uncle Sam would not deplore your shooting a little higher....  Dorn, you’re fine!  You’re all I heard you were!  Shake hands!”

Kurt tingled all over as he followed the official out to the car and took the seat given him beside the driver.  “Back to Glencoe,” was the order.  And then, even if conversation had been in order, it would scarcely have been possible.  That driver could drive!  He had no fear and he knew his car.  Kurt could drive himself, but he thought that if he had been as good as this fellow he would have chosen one of two magnificent services for the army—­an ambulance-driver at the front or an aeroplane scout.

On the way to Glencoe several squads of idling and marching men were passed, all of whom bore the earmarks of the I.W.W.  Sight of them made Kurt hug his gun and wonder at himself.  Never had he been a coward, but neither had he been one to seek a fight.  This suave, distinguished government official, by his own significant metaphor, Uncle Sam gone abroad to find true hearts, had wrought powerfully upon Kurt’s temper.  He sensed events.  He revolved in mind the need for him to be cool and decisive when facing the circumstances that were sure to arise.

At Glencoe, which was reached so speedily that Kurt could scarcely credit his eyes, the official said; “You’ll hear from me.  Good-by and good luck!”

Kurt hired a young man he knew to drive him over to Wheatly.  All the way Kurt brooded about his father’s strange action.  The old man had left home before the rain-storm.  How did he know he could guarantee so many bushels of wheat as the selling-price indicated?  Kurt divined that his father had acted upon one of his strange weather prophecies.  For he must have been absolutely sure of rain to save the wheat.

Darkness had settled down when Kurt reached Wheatly and left the car at the railroad station.  Wheatly was a fairly good-sized little town.  There seemed to be an unusual number of men on the dark streets.  Dim lights showed here and there.  Kurt passed several times near groups of conversing men, but he did not hear any significant talk.