The San Francisco call., 1908-11-29

that. there are easier ways-and
safer. A premature blast in a rock
cut; weak coupling pin when he hap
pened to be standing in the way of a
pulling engine; they tell me he is al
ways Indifferent to his personal safety.
But never mind the fashion of it; the
point I'm making is that if everything
else fails, Ford mustn't live to be the
head foreman of the outfit"
Penfield's face was ashen, and he was
cravenly thankful that the lamplight
was dim, and that his chair was in the
shadow. This was more than he had
bargained for; more by the price of a
mans life.
Eckstein was lifting himself by pain
full inches from his chair. A silence
as of the grave had fallen upon the two
MacMorroghs. 1t was the senior part
ner who broke it.
'"Tis as ye say, Misther Eckstein. A
mana safe man. that'll do what he's
told to do-will be at Fords heels till
this thing do be settled. And now, for
yourself; tbs betther that ye kape dark.
-Four of US know that you're in the
camp-no wan else need know. I've
room and a bed. and ye'll be nadin' the
lasht, I'm thinking"
The two MacMorroghs were bestir-
ring themselves, and Penfield was slip
ping through the door into the com
upon his arm
Your part is to keep tab on the pro-
gram he whispered. Get word in
stantly to Brian if there is any change.
And If you weaken, Arthur, I'll promise
you just one thing: I'll pull you in with
the rest of US if 1 have to swear to
string of lies a mile long. Remember
that"
Penfield escaped at length and STUN
bed through the Uttered end-of-track
yard to where the lighted windows of
the Nadia marked the berth of the
presidents car Out of the shadow of
the car man rose up and confronted
him. 1t was F'risbie, and he asked
single question:
Say. Penfeld, who was that fellow
who rode around to the MacMorroghs'
back door just after dark?"
1T was Eckstein." The secretary
let slip the name before he could lay
hold of his discretion.
"Oh, all right. That's ALL" said the
engineer; and he vanished.
Climbing to the observation platform
Penfield let himself into the cheerful
central compartment of the Nadia
quietly enough to surprise two people
who We're sitting together on one of
the broad divans. The two were Ford
and Miss Alicia Adair. with Aunt Hes
ter Adair. reading under the drop light
at the table, for the only other occu-
pant of the compartment. 1t was Miss
Alicia who told the secretary that he
was not needed.
Mr.. Colbrith was very tired, and he
has gone to bed she said; and Pen
field, still pallid and curiously unready
of speech, said he believed he'd go, too.
Ford got up when Penfield had dis
appeared in the cu-tained vestibule
leading to the StaterOOnlS.
I shall wait one more day, because
you want me to- he said, resuming
the conversation which had been
broken off by Penfelds incoming. But
I'll tell the truth: came here tonight
to have it over with. We were as near
quarreling today as / want to come,
and If Frisbie hadn't got between-'
Good Mr.. Frisbier she said. Some
day I hope to get chance to be very
nice to him.
Ford laughed. The evening had
healed many of the woundings of the
day.
IF you don't get the chance it won't
be Dicks fault-or mine Meantime I'll
be delighted to pose as his substitute"
She had gone with him to the door
and his last work was reminder.
Don't forget" he said. I'm to drive
your blackboard tomorrow, whatever
happens"
You are the one who will forget"
she retorted. when Uncle Sidney
crooks his finger at you, you'll climb
up obediently beside him and let him
scold you all the way over to Copah."
Wait and see," said Ford; and then
he said goodnight. not he wanted
to. but as he must with Aunt Hester
sitting within arms reach.
Frisbie was sitting UP for him when
he reached the white tents of the en-
gineers' camp. pitched a little apart
from the MacMorrogh conglomeration
OF shacks and storehouses.
Just one question:. said the first as
sistant and I've been staying awake
to ask it, Are you still my boss?"
For one more day." said Ford
shortly.
Well, we can't live more than a day
at a time if we try. That will do
to sleep on
AN right; sleep on it, then
In minute; after I've freed my
mind of one little news item. Do you
remember that fellow we saw riding in
on the Jacks Canyon trail as we were
coming back this afternoon?"
YES"
Have you any notion who it wasp
No"
1T was Mr.. julius Eckstein; and he
is at present lying doggo in the Mac
Morrogh quarters That's all. Now you
can turn in and sleep a few lines on
that"
nxE K,urrn wv