ment, as, after having passed through Cincinnati, it grew
time to retire. "I'd like very much to see what this section of the
country looks like."

The following morning found them crossing the Mississippi River. They
passed through St. Louis, and then the train headed for Kansas City,
where they were to change for Fort Worth and San Antonio.

The train for San Antonio proved to be much less crowded than the
other had been. As before, the youths had a section to themselves, and
none of the sections near them was occupied. But when, on the
following day, the train stopped at a way station several passengers
got aboard, including a man who took the section opposite to that
occupied by our friends.

This man was a tall, heavy-set and red-faced individual, having
reddish hair and a heavy reddish mustache. He looked the youths over
rather coldly, and then, throwing himself down in his seat, proceeded
to read a newspaper.

"Doesn't look like a very friendly fellow," whispered Roger to Dave.
"I was hoping we might meet somebody who would warm up a little and
tell us something about this part of the country."

"You've got to go slow in making friends out in a strange place like
this," answered Dave.

"Oh, I don't know about that, Dave," was the quick reply. "My father
tells me that folks in the West and Southwest are usually very
friendly. We found them so on our way to Star Ranch."

The boys continued to talk of the prospects ahead, and during the
conversation the Mentor Construction Company was mentioned several
times. Then Dave noticed that the burly man opposite had dropped his
newspaper and was looking at them curiously. Finally the man arose and
stepped across the aisle.

"Did I hear you young fellows speaking about the Mentor Construction
Company?" he asked, not unpleasantly.

"You did," answered Dave.

"Are you connected with that concern?" went on the man.

"We are going to work for them," answered Roger. "We have just been
appointed to the engineering department."

"You don't say!" cried the man in surprise. "I'm with that company
myself. My name is William Jarvey. What is yours?"

The boys told him, and all shook hands. Then, as Roger crossed over to
sit down beside Dave, the man sank down in the seat opposite.

CHAPTER XXII

IN TEXAS AT LAST

"So you are going to join our engineering department, eh?" queried
William Jarvey. "Do you know anybody in that department?"

"We don't know any