The minister laid his hand on Courtland’s arm, and instantly it seemed as if the Presence came and stood beside him and said:  “Here!  This is your work!”

With a great conviction in his heart Courtland turned and followed Burns down the broad marble stairs out to the office, where he left word for Tennelly and his uncle that he had been there and had to go, but would see them again that evening, and then down the street to Burns’s common little boarding-house, where they sat down and talked the rest of the afternoon.  Burns opened Courtland’s eyes to many things that he had not known were in the world.  It was as if he laid his hands upon him and said, as of old:  “Brother Saul, receive thy sight!”

When Courtland went back to the university his decision was made.  He felt that he was under orders, and the Presence would not go with him in any such commission as Uncle Ramsey had proposed.  His only regret was that Tennelly would not understand.  Dear old Tennelly, who had tried to do his best for him!

The denouement began in Tennelly’s room after supper, when Courtland courteously and firmly thanked Uncle Ramsey, but declined the offer!

Uncle Ramsey grew apoplectic in the face and glared at the young man, finally bringing out an explosive:  “What!  You decline?”

Uncle Ramsey spluttered and swore.  He tore up and down the small confines of the room like an angry bull, bellowing forth anathemas and arguments in a confused jumble.  He enlarged on the insult he had been given, and the opportunity that was being lost never to be offered again.  He called Courtland a “trifling idiot,” and a few other gentle phrases, and demanded reasons for such an unprecedented decision.

Courtland’s only answer was:  “I am afraid it isn’t going to fit in with my views of life, Mr. Thomas.  I have thought it over carefully and I cannot accept your offer.”

“Why not?  Isn’t it enough money?” roared the mad financier.  “I’ll double your salary!”

“Money has nothing to do with it,” said Courtland, quietly.  “That would make no difference.”  He was sorry for this scene for Tennelly’s sake.

“Well, have you something else in view?”

“No, not definitely.”

“Then you’re a fool!” said Uncle Ramsey, and further stated what kind of a fool he was, several times, vigorously.  After which he mopped his beaded brow with trembling, agitated hands, and sat down.  The old bull was baffled at last.

Uncle Ramsey blustered all the way to the train with his nephew.  “I’ve got to have that young man, Thomas.  There’s no two ways about it.  A fellow that can stand out the way he did against Ramsey Thomas is just the man I want.  He’s got personality.  Why, a man like that at work for us would be worth millions!  He would give confidence to every one!  Why, we could make him a Senator in a few years, and there’s no telling where he wouldn’t stop!  He’s the kind of a man who could be put in the White House if things shaped themselves right.  I’ve got to have him, Thomas, and no mistake!  Now, I’m going to put it up to you to find out the secret of this thing.  You just get his number and we’ll meet him on any reasonable proposition he wants to put up.  Say, Thomas, isn’t there a girl anywhere that could influence him?”