doors. You won't, I know. But about the contract: you
haven't heard from the executive committee?"

"Not the half of wan wor-rd."

"Have you any idea of what is causing the delay?"

"'Tis dommed well I know, Misther North. Ford is keeping the wires hot
against us. If I could have Misther Colbrith here with you for wan five
minutes--"

The general manager broke in, following his own line of thought.

"Ford is in Denver; he came in from Chicago last night. Why don't you go
up to the Brown and have it out with him?"

"Fight it out, d'ye mean?"

"Certainly not. Make friends with him."

The contractor sat back in his chair and plunged his stubby hands deep
into his pockets.

"Give me the sthraight tip, Misther North."

"It ought to suggest itself to you. This is a big job, with a great deal
of money passing. Your profits, over and above what you will make out of
the company, will be quite large. Ford is an ambitious young man, and he
is not building railroads for his health."

The MacMorrogh was nodding slowly. Nevertheless, he made difficulties.

"Me hand's not light enough for that, Misther North."

Again the general manager smiled.

"You require a deal of prompting, sometimes, Brian. What's the matter
with a trusty go-between?"

"H'm, that's it, now. But where to lay me finger on the right man. 'Tis
a risk to run--with a yooung fire-brand like Ford holding the other end
iv the string."

"Still I think the man can be found. But first we must make sure of your
contract, with or without Ford. Your suggestion about taking the matter
up with Mr. Colbrith in person strikes me favorably. Can you spare the
time to go to New York?"

"Sure I can."

"At once?"

"The wan minute for sthriking is whin the iron's hot, Misther North."

The general manager put aside the thick file of papers he had been
examining when MacMorrogh entered, and began to set his desk in order.

"I have been thinking I might make it convenient to go with you. I
presume you have no objection to going as my guest in the Naught-Seven?"

"'Tis an honor you're doing me, Misther North, and I'll not be
forgetting it."

"Not at all. There are some matters connected with this contract that
I'd like to talk over with you privately, and if we can agree upon them,
I may be able to help you with Mr. Colbrith and the executive
committee."

The general manager pressed one of the electric buttons on the side of
the desk, and to the clerk who an