ed Sheriff Grease had lost fully half of
his own force, and some of his controlled voters as well, for many
of his deputies flocked to serve under Dave Fulsbee. The rest of
the needed detectives also came in, and Dave was soon busy posting
his men to patrol the S.B. & L. and protect the workers against any
more raids by armed men.

After a fortnight student Reynolds recovered sufficiently to be sent
to Denver, there to complete his work of recovering from his wound.
President Newnham also saw to it that Reynolds was well repaid for
his services.

The camp moved on. Soon Lineville was sighted from the advanced
camp of the engineers. As Lineville was to be the western terminus
of the new railroad the work of the field party was very nearly
finished.

President Newnham, who was all anxiety to see the first train run
over the road, remained with the field engineers.

"I couldn't sleep at night, if I were anywhere else than here,"
explained the president, "though I feel assured now that the W.C.
& A. will make no more efforts, in the way of violence; to prevent
us from finishing the building of the road."

"Then you're more trustful than I am," smiled Tom Reade. "What's
worrying me most of all is that I can't quite fathom in what way
the W.C. & A's gloom department will plan to stop us. That they
have some plan---and a rascally one---I'm as certain, sir, as I am
that I'm now speaking with you."

"Has Fulsbee any suspicions?" inquired Mr. Newnham.

"Loads of 'em," declared Tom promptly.

"What does he think the W.C. & A. will try to do?"

"Dave's suspicions, Mr. Newnham, aren't any more definite than mine.
He feels certain, however, that we're going to have a hard fight
before we get the road through."

"Then I hope the opposition won't be able to prevent us from finishing,"
murmured Mr. Newnham.

"Oh, the enemy won't be able to hinder us," replied Tom confidently.
"You have a Fulsbee and a Reade on the job, sir. Don't worry.
I'm not doing any real worrying, and I promise you that I'm not
going to be beaten."

"It will be a genuine wonder if Reade is beaten," reflected Mr.
Newnham, watching the cub's athletic figure as Tom walked through
the centre of the camp. "I never knew a man of any age who was
more resourceful or sure to win than this same cub, Tom Reade,
whose very name was unknown to me a few weeks ago. Yet I shiver!
I can't help it. Men just as resourceful as Tom Reade are sometimes
beaten