e string's broke.
Old Dave Sage-Brush's son has borrowed him an automobile, and gone back
to town on his own hook. Guess you'd better call up the division
despatcher and tell him the broken-wire gag didn't work. Get a move on.
We hain't got nothin' to stay here for now."

Blount had a very pleasant drive across country, with no mishap worse
than a blown-out tire and a little carbureter trouble. Being a motorist
of parts, neither the accident nor the needed readjustment detained him
very long, and by the middle of the afternoon he was racing down the
smooth northern road, with the spires and tall buildings of the capital
fairly in sight.

Not to let gratitude lag too far behind the service rendered, he drove
Blatchford's car to the garage nearest the freight station, left
instructions to have it shipped back to Lewiston by the first train, and
promptly went in search of Gantry. The traffic manager was not in his
office, but Blount found him at the Railway Club.

"Just a word, Dick," he began, when he had overtaken his man pointing
for the buffet. "Kittredge put up a job on me, and I think you helped
him. I had to borrow an automobile to come back in from Lewiston. It's
down at the Central Garage, and I have given Bankston, the garage man,
orders to ship it back to Mr. Blatchford, of the 'Little Mary.' I wish
you'd phone your freight agent to see that it is properly taken care of,
and that the freight bill is sent to me."

Gantry made no reply, but he went obediently to the house telephone and
gave the necessary instructions. The thing done, he turned shortly upon
Blount, scowling morosely.

"Come on in and let's have a drink," he said.

Blount marked the brittleness of tone and the half-quarrelsome light in
the eyes which were a little bloodshot.

"No, Dick; you've had one too many already," he objected firmly.

Gantry put his back against the wall of the corridor.

"No," he rasped; "I'm not drunk, but I'm ready to fight you to a finish,
and for once in a way I'm going to get in the first lick. You've been
bluffing me from the start, and you're going to try it again. It won't
go this time; you've got to show me!"

If Blount hesitated it was only because he was trying to determine
whether or not the traffic manager was business-fit. Gantry comprehended
perfectly, and his laugh was derisive and a trifle bitter.

"You're sizing me up and asking yourself if I'm too far gone to be worth
while," he jeered. "If I c