"No," said Larry, in his slow manner. "Father was called away this
morning. I don't think he had time to send you any notice."

"So he sent you, which is the next best thing."

"Yes, sir, thank you."

"I didn't know but he was here till I just looked in. So it appears that
you have kept the machinery running. By-the-way," and Mr. Gardner
stepped up the ascent from the boiler-room and closed the door between,
"does that one-eyed Joe stick to his post?"

The superintendent pursed his lips half humorously as he asked the
question, but Larry felt sure that there was a serious purpose behind
his words.

"Yes, sir. He was here before I was this morning."

"And does he mind your orders just the same as he does when your father
is here?"

"He has so far, sir."

"That is right. Only you know some men don't fancy having a boy put in
as boss over them; and he is one of the new hands, and I didn't know but
he was cranky. Some of them are."

Mr. Gardner pursed his smooth-shaven lips again and was gone.

The moment the door closed after him, Larry wished he had told him of
the strange actions of the group of new hands whom he had seen outside
the entrance that noon.

"But he may know more about it than I do. His eyes see about all there
is to see," the boy reasoned.

And he gave the matter scarce another thought until the great whistle
delivered its parting roar that night.

Although the six o'clock whistle was the signal for stopping the
machinery and for the workmen to go to their homes, the engineer had to
stay half an hour longer to see that the engine and boilers were left in
proper shape for the night; then, when the night watchman came at
half-past six, Larry could go home.

But to-night, after firing up for the last time and blowing the whistle,
Joe Cuttle did not go directly home.

Instead, he went out into the yard and sauntered out toward the further
end of the extensive works where the foundry was located.

Larry, still distrustful, noticed this, and he wished then that he had
mentioned what he had seen that noon to the superintendent.

He stood in the doorway and furtively watched Joe until the latter
disappeared beyond an angle of the building. Then he went in and
meditatively drew the water from the glass gauges, tested the safety
valve, wiped off the engine and finally locked the door of the
engine-room.

His work was done for the day. It yet lacked ten minutes of the
half-hour, which would b