," nodded the treasurer.

"What I want the men for, Peters, is something honest and manly, and with
no fighting in it," Tom continued. "I want information, and I'll pay the
man well who can bring it to me. Now, go and get your six men. Bring them
up to the house within half an hour."

Nodding, Peters turned and strode back.

When the others gained the house where the engineers and superintendent
lived the foremen took leave of their chiefs.

As Tom, Harry and Mr. Prenter went up the steps to the porch the front door
opened to let out Mr. Bascomb.

"Is that revolting row all over?" demanded the president of the Melliston
Company.

"What row?" asked Mr. Prenter, innocently.

"That riot back in camp," shivered Mr. Bascomb. "I simply abhor all
fighting."

"So I noticed," commented Mr. Prenter, dryly. "Yes; I believe the trouble
is over, unless our young chief engineer intends to stir up something new
before bedtime. Do you, Reade?"

"I haven't anything in mind," Tom answered with a smile. "Gentlemen, I am
afraid you may think I do things with a high hand. But I have been at this
engineering business just long enough to know that I must banish all
serious vices from a camp of laborers if I hope to get the best results in
work out of the men. So I must tackle some problems rather stiffly, and
use my fists when I'm driven to a corner."

"I am not thoroughly satisfied of the wisdom of your course," said Mr.
Bascomb slowly.

"Sorry to disagree with you, Bascomb," broke in the treasurer, "but I've
had some experience in handling what is called wild labor, and I believe
that Reade goes at it in just the right way. I don't believe there are
really fifty really wild or troublesome men in that camp. The few bad ones
usually start trouble going, and then the good ones are driven into it.
Let Reade stop the vices over yonder, in the way that he wants to, and the
worst of the crowd will call for their time and leave camp. We shall then
have a thoroughly good lot of men left, who'll do more and better work."

"That is," almost whined President Bascomb, "if Reade, in doing what he
wants, doesn't stir up so much enmity that we have the rest of our wall
blown out into the gulf."

"Mr. Bascomb," put in Tom, "while I must have control of the men and their
camp I don't wish to do anything to cast reflection on yourself as the head
of the company. May I therefore ask, sir, if there is any especial reason
why Evarts