don't side with
them."

"I wish I could be sure that we haven't offended the town as a whole,"
mused Mr. Ellsworth, "The good will of the people along our line is a
great asset."

"You're acquainted with a lot of the real people in Paloma, aren't you,
Mr. Ellsworth?"

"With some of them, yes."

"Then, while you're here, sir, I'd be glad if you'd look up some of
these acquaintances in town and find out for yourself just how the
sentiment stands. We don't wish you to feel that we're a pair of
trouble-makers who are doing our best to ruin the road with its future
customers."

"I believe I will go into town," mused Mr. Ellsworth. "Is there an
automobile anywhere about here?"

"No, sir; but our telegraph operator can wire into town for one. It will
take but a few minutes to have a car here."

"Send for it, then."

"Would you like to see Mr. Hawkins while you're waiting, sir?" Tom
suggested, rising. "You know Hawkins, and probably you'll be satisfied
with his judgment."

"Send Hawkins along."

"Yes, sir; and we won't return for the present, unless you send for us,"
Reade replied, going toward the forward end of the car.

Superintendent Hawkins was closeted with the general manager until the
arrival of the automobile. There was a frown on Mr. Ellsworth's face as
they started townward.

"Well," asked Harry Hazelton, with a grin on his face, as he watched the
departing car, "are we going to be fired or praised?"

"We're going to lay the track across the Man-killer," returned Reade
resolutely.

"How about the gambler and his bad crowd? Are we going to beat them?"

"We're going to do whatever the general manager orders, just as long as
we remain here," replied Tom. "He's our only source of authority. If he
tells me to let Jim Duff bring a cityful of tents out here and run night
or day--then that's all there will be to it."

"I'd sooner quit," growled Hazelton, "than knuckle to such a crew of
rascals."

"So would I," nodded Tom good-humoredly, "if it were my quit. But, if
Mr. Ellsworth gives such orders it will be his quit, not ours."

Harry walked restlessly up and down the little office, but Tom threw
himself down at full length on a cot in the corner. Within two minutes
he was sound asleep.

"Humph!" growled Hazelton, as soon as he saw his chum's unconcern. Then
he went outside to finish his tramp.

It was toward the close of the afternoon when Mr. Ellsworth returned.
Harry was out of sight as the ge