The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22

obstructed, quietly but persistently,
ever since the first blow was struck on
the extension. He has delayed material,
when he could do it unoficially; he
scants us for rolling stock and motive
power; he stands in with the MacMor-
roghs and backs them against Ford
every time there is a dispute. Ford is
a patient man, Mr.. Adair, but think he
has about reached the limit"
HIN. Do you attach any particular
Importance to the presidents trip over
the eXtenSion?"
Leckhard shook his head. I'm only
a passenger see what goes by the
car windows Mr.. Colbrith was dead set
on pushing over to the end of track
wouldn't even wait for daylight. You
probably. know him better than / do
HE is my uncle" Adair cut IN.
.sOh; then 1 can't tell you anything
about him. He was hot at Ford last
night; what for I don't know, unless
1t was because Ford opposed night
run over a raw construction track with
the Nadia. He was right about that
though. If 1 had been in his place I
would have thrown up my. job before
/ would have taken the risk"
Adair appeared to be considering
something, and when he had thought
it out, the porter had announced din
ner and they had taken their places at
the table.
.I have told you l am Ford's friend,
Mr. Leckhard; I have ridden couple
of thousand miles out of my way to
give him a lift Tell me frankly: have
you any reason to believe 1t will come
70 blows between him and the presi-
dent while they are together at the
front? Try this celery; It's as good as
you'd get at Sherry's.'
Leckhard helped himself to the relish
and waited until the negro. Johnson
had gone back to the cooks galley.
THE little / know comes in round
about way" he replied slowly. Pen
field. who is known all over the South
western as Mr.. North's private detec-
tive and spy, is with Mr.. Colbrith, act
ing as the presidents secretary. Yes
fNrday. while the Nadia was sidetracked
here. Penfield had a lot of telegraphing
to do for Mr. Colbrith. He did 1T him.
self-he's a lightning operator, among
other things-and 1 happened into the
office Just as he was finishing. His
final message was a cipher to Mr.
North, and he signed 1t with his own
name"
"Well?" said Adair.
Again the engineer waited until the
negro was out of hearing.
"a little later, just as the Nadia
was about to pull out, there
came a rush call from Denver fol
Penfield. / answered and said the
car was on the point of leaving, but
that I'd take the message and try tC
catch Penfeld If I could. 1t came, or
the run, and it was signed by Eckstein
North's chief clerk. 1t wasn't cipnereo
lack of time, reckon-and Ecksteir
took the chance that L wouldn't catch
on"
you kept copy?" suggested Adair
II did / wasn't able to deliver tht
original until the Nadia came bach
from the foot of the pass in the even
ing to fill the engine tank. But
couldn't make anything out of 1t. L
was an order to -Penfield not to let any
thing interfere with the president.
blackboard trip-whatever that Nigh
be-with authority to incur any ex-
pense that might be necessary, using
the telegram as his credential with tn.
MacMorrogh brothers If more money
were needed"
"To pay for the buckboards?" aske.
Adair.
You may search me-" said Leckhard
only it could hardly be that-we havi
/. an open account at the Bank Of COpal
for legitimate expenses. No; there's
nigger in the woodpile, somewhere
Penf1eld Is only clerk; but for SOM
purpose he is given carte blanche t,
spend money"