Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-07

none. What could Max prove after
all? No! When | return to London
I'll go and face him. The reason |
didn't go to Servia is proved by Stat.
ham himself OF excuses I'm never
at loss. It's an awkward position
admit, but I must wriggle out of It,
as I've wriggled before. Statham's
peril seems to me even greater than
my own, and, moreover, he asks me
to do something that is impossible.
He doesn't know-he never dreams
the truth; and. what's more, he must
never know. Otherwise, IL must"
And instinctively his hand passed
over his hip pocket, where reposed the
handy plated revolver which he al
ways carried.
Presently he found himself again in
front of the Central Station hotel, and
entering, spent an hour full of anx-
ious reflection prior to turning in. II
any had seen him in the silence of
that hotel room they would have at
once declared him to be man with
secret as indeed he was
Next morning he rose pale and
haggard, surprised at himself when
he looked at the mirror; but when, at
eleven o'clock, he took his seat in the
directors Office at the great Clyde and
Motherwell Locomotive works his
face had undergone an entire change.
He was the calm, keen business man
| who, as secretary and agent Of the
gFaet Samuel Statham had power to
dsset with the huge financial interests
iIwetved
n91Nhe firm had a large contract for
hyl two u
Italian railways, lately taken over by
the state, and the first business was
to interview the manager and sub
manager, together with the two en-
gineers sent from Italy, regarding
some details of extra cost of construc-
ton
The work of the Clyde and Mother
we'll company was always excellent
They turned out locomotives, which
could we'll bear comparison with any
Of the Northwestern, Great Northern,
or Nord of France, both as to finish,
power, speed and smoothless of run
ming Indeed, to railways in every
part of the world, from Narvik, with
in the Arctic circle, to New Zealand
Clyde and Motherwell engines were
running with satisfaction, thanks to
the splendid designs of the chief en-.
gineer, Duncan Macgregor, the white
bearded old Scot, who at that moment
was seated with Stathams represen-
tative.
The conference between the engi-
neers Of the Italian ferrovia and the
managers was over, and old Macgreg-
or, who had been engineer for years
to CoWan and DrummOnd, who owned
the works before Statham had extend
ed them and turned them into the
huge Clyde asd Motherwell works,
still remained.
He was a broad-speaking Highland
er, native Of KILN on Loeb Tay
whose services had long ago been COW
eted by the London and Northwestern
Railway company, on account of his
constant improvements in express en-
gines, but who always refused, even
though offered a larger salary to go
across the border and forsake the firm
to whom, forty years ago, he had been
apprenticed by his father, small
farmer.
AS a Scotchman, he believed in
Glasgow. 1t was, in his opinion, the
only place where could be built loco
motives that would stand the wear
and tear of foreign or colonial line.
An engine that was cleaned and look
ed after like a watch, as they we're on
the English or Scotch main lines, was
easily turned out, he was fond of say
ing; but when 1t became a question
of hauling power, combined with
speed and strength to withstand hard
wear and neglect, it was very DIFF
ferent matter.
Managers and sub-managers, secre-
taries and accountants there might be
gentlemen who wore black coats and
went out to dine in evening clothes,
but the actual man at the head Of
affairs at those great works was Dun
can Macgregor-the short thick-set
man, in a shabby suit of grey tweed,
who sat there oloseted with Rolfe.
you wrote to London asking to
see me, Macgregor," exclaimed the
young man. We're always pleased to
hear any suggestions you've got to
make, assure you," said Charlia,
pleasantly. Have a cigarette?' and
he pushed the big box over to the man
who sat on the other side of the
table.
Thank We, no, Mr.. Rolfe, sir. I'm
better wanting it," replied Macgregor,
in his broad tongue. And then, with
preliminary cough, he said "I-.I
want very badly to speak with Mr..
Statham"
Whatever you say to me, Macgreg-
or, l will tell him"
Il want to speak to him ma'sel'."
I'm afraid that's impossible He
sees nobody-except once a week in
the city, and then only for two hours. /"
"'E wouldn'a see me-er?" asked
the man, whose designs had brought
the firm to the forefront in the trade.
II fear it would be impossible. You
would go to London for nothing. I'm
his private secretary, you know; and
anything that you tell me shall be
pleased to convey to him."
But, mon, want to see i'm
ma'sel!"
THAT can't be managed: declara ed
| Rolfe. This business is left to Mr.
Smale and myself Mr. Staham con-
trolls the financial position but de-
tails are left to me- in conjunction
with Smale and Hamilton. Is it con-
| corning the DEVELOPMENT of the h,1Si.