Dr. Hargrave was dumfounded.  When he recovered himself sufficiently to speak, it was to say, “Why, he’s a mere boy, Whitney—­not yet thirty.  He has had no experience!”

“Inexperience seems to be what we need,” replied Whitney, eyes twinkling sneeringly at Scarborough.  “We have tried experience, and it is a disastrous failure.”

Scarborough was still reflecting.

“True,” pursued Whitney, “the young man would also have the motive of self-interest to keep him from making a success.”

“How is that?” inquired Scarborough.

“Under the will,” Whitney reminded him, “he can buy back the property at its market value.  Obviously, the less the property is worth, the better for him.”

Scarborough was staggered.  Was Arthur crafty as well as able?  With the human conscience ever eager to prove that what is personally advantageous is also right, how easy for a man in his circumstances to convince himself that any course would be justifiable in upsetting the “injustice” of Hiram Ranger’s will.

“However,” continued Whitney, “I’ve no doubt he’s as honest as his father—­and I couldn’t say more than that.  The only question is whether we can risk giving him the chance to show what there is in him.”

Dr. Hargrave was looking dazedly from one of his colleagues to the other, as if he thought his mind were playing him a trick.  “It is impossible—­preposterous!” he exclaimed.

“A man has to make a beginning,” said Whitney.  “How can he show what there is in him unless he gets a chance?  It seems to me, doctor, we owe it to Hiram to do this for the boy.  We can keep an eye and a hand on him.  What do you think, senator?”

Scarborough had won at every stage of his career, not merely because he had convictions and the courage of them, but chiefly because he had the courage to carry through the plans he laid in trying to make his convictions effective.  He had come there, fixed that Arthur was the man for the place; why throw up his hand because Whitney was playing into it?  Nothing had occurred to change his opinion of Arthur.  “Let us try Arthur Ranger,” he now said.  “But let us give him a free hand.”

He was watching Whitney’s face; he saw it change expression—­a slight frown.  “I advise against the free hand,” said Whitney.

“I protest against it!” cried Dr. Hargrave.  “I protest against even considering this inexperienced boy for such a responsibility.”

Scarborough addressed himself to Whitney.  “If we do not give our new manager, whoever he may be, a free hand, and if he should fail, how shall we know whether the fault is his or—­yours?”

At the direct “yours” Scarborough thought Whitney winced; but his reply was bland and frank enough.  He turned to Dr. Hargrave.  “The senator is right,” said he.  “I shall vote with him.”

“Then it is settled,” said Scarborough.  “Ranger is to have absolute charge.”