Changes

Henry went back to his apartment, packed a valise, and cleaned out his safe. The only thing of real value that he had was, of course, the gold bar that Ragnar Danneskjold had handed him. Francisco probably assured him that that was all that he would need, but in any event Ragnar Danneskjold had already told him that he had an account in Midas Mulligan's bank, located in the secret community that Dagny had visited, and that this account held an amount of money equal to his [[income tax]] payments for the previous twelve years.

Henry went back to his apartment, packed a valise, and cleaned out his safe. The only thing of real value that he had was, of course, the gold bar that Ragnar Danneskjold had handed him. Francisco probably assured him that that was all that he would need, but in any event Ragnar Danneskjold had already told him that he had an account in Midas Mulligan's bank, located in the secret community that Dagny had visited, and that this account held an amount of money equal to his [[income tax]] payments for the previous twelve years.

From the accounts given of what happened next, one may infer that Henry gave Francisco his permission, and perhaps a suggestion, to share the news of his decision to quit and vanish with all his regular employees. The shop superintendent, Henry's long-serving secretary, and the doctor in charge of the infirmary were only three of the many employees who followed Henry Rearden in his retreat from society. Rearden Steel shut itself down completely. In the month that followed, one manager would try to run them and would ask for a transfer, and the next manager would enrich himself by selling off most of the equipment.

From the accounts given of what happened next, one may infer that Henry gave Francisco his permission, and perhaps a suggestion, to share the news of his decision to quit and vanish with all his regular employees. The shop superintendent, the chief metallurgist, the chief engineer, Henry's long-serving secretary, and the doctor in charge of the infirmary were only five of the many employees who followed Henry Rearden in his retreat from society. Rearden Steel shut itself down completely. In the month that followed, one manager would try to run them and would ask for a transfer, and the next manager would enrich himself by selling off most of the equipment.

Henry Rearden and his employees all joined the community that Henry came to know variously as Mulligan's Valley and [[Galt's Gulch]]. There Henry met [[John Galt]] for the first time. When he did, he sent [[Dagny Taggart]] a very brief note:{{cquote|I have met him. I don't blame you.}}

Henry Rearden and his employees all joined the community that Henry came to know variously as Mulligan's Valley and [[Galt's Gulch]]. There Henry met [[John Galt]] for the first time. When he did, he had two words to say:{{cquote|Thank you.}}

 

 

 

Henry then wrote a very brief note to [[Dagny Taggart]] and asked Francisco to mail it from a post office on the outside:{{cquote|I have met him. I don't blame you.}}

From the account given of Dagny Taggart's uninvited visit to the Gulch, and the things that several of its residents said of Henry, he was enthusiastically received by everyone, even one [[Andrew Stockton]], a foundry owner who realized that Henry Rearden must inevitably put him out of business.

From the account given of Dagny Taggart's uninvited visit to the Gulch, and the things that several of its residents said of Henry, he was enthusiastically received by everyone, even one [[Andrew Stockton]], a foundry owner who realized that Henry Rearden must inevitably put him out of business.