nother interested
citizen. These men of Paloma had good reason for being interested. When
the iron road was finished, Paloma would be an intimate part of the
now outside world. It was certain that Paloma real estate would rise to
three or four times its present value.

"I know you'll excuse us," replied Tom, still speaking pleasantly, "if
we don't go into precise details."

"Then you are going to make a secret of your plans?" inquired another
barber-shop idler. His tone expressed merely curiosity; Arizona men are
proverbially as polite as they are frank.

"We're somewhat secretive--yes, sir," Tom replied. "That is only because
we regard the method we are going to use as being mainly the concern of
the A., G. & N. M. No offense meant, sir, either."

"No offense taken," replied the late questioner.

Tom had already, within a few minutes, made an excellent impression on
the majority of these Arizona men present.

As to the other newcomer, who had lately spoken so warmly of the
Colthwaite Company, he was now silent, apparently greatly absorbed in a
three-days-old newspaper that he had picked up. Yet he managed to cast
more than one covert glance at the boys.

"I have heard both of you young men spoken of most warmly, as real
engineers who are going to solve the problem of the Man-killer,"
declared Clarence Farnsworth, as, alighting from the barber's chair, he
strolled past the pair.

"Thank you," nodded Tom, with all his usual simple good nature.

"If you make a successful job of it is will be a splendid thing for you
in your professional careers," continued Farnsworth, rather aimlessly.

"Undoubtedly," nodded Harry.

The stranger who had held so much converse with Jim Duff was through
with the barber at last. Though the day was scorchingly hot in this
desert town, the stranger stepped along briskly until he had reached the
hotel.

The Mansion House would scarcely have measured up to the hotel standards
of large cities. Yet it was a very good hotel, indeed, for this part of
Arizona, and the proprietor did all in his power for the comfort of his
guests.

As the stranger ascended the steps to the broad porch he caught sight of
Jim Duff, approaching the doorway from the inside.

"Oh, how do you do?" was Duff's greeting. "Hot, isn't it?"

"Very," nodded the stranger.

"I usually have my luncheon in my room, which is large and airy,"
continued Duff. "As I dislike to eat alone, I have ordered the table
spread