He is solvent and so
is his road--as yet. If it has a bad name in the market that is more
because of slander by the Montagne Lewis crowd than from any real
cause. I've found that out this morning."

"Faithful Nero!" chuckled Tom. "Aren't going to let the Swifts get
done, are you?"

"Not if I can help it," declared Ned Newton emphatically.

A clerk brought Mr. Bartholomew into the private office and he was
introduced to Newton. If he considered the financial manager of the
Swift Construction Company very young for his responsible position,
after he had read the contract he felt considerable respect for Ned
Newton.

"You've got me here, young man, hard and fast," Mr. Bartholomew said.
"If I was inclined to want to wriggle out, I see no chance of it. But I
don't. You have set forth here exactly my meaning and intent. I want
your best efforts in this matter, Mr. Swift, and if you give them to me
I'll foot the bill as agreed."

"You've got me interested, I confess," said Tom. "By the way, were your
friends following you when you came here this morning?"

"My friends?" repeated Mr. Bartholomew, for a moment puzzled.

"The spy that you mentioned," said Tom, smiling.

"That Andy O'Malley?" exclaimed Bartholomew. "Haven't spotted him
today."

"He spotted me last night," said Tom grimly, and proceeded to relate
what had happened.

"You fooled 'em that time, young man!" exclaimed the railroad
president, with satisfaction. "I am convinced that Montagne Lewis is
behind it. Look out for these fellows when you get to work, Mr. Swift.
They will stop at nothing. I tell you that the fight is on between the
Hendrickton & Pas Alos and the Hendrickton & Western. I have either got
to break them or they will break me."

"You seem very sure that there is a conspiracy against you, Mr.
Bartholomew," said the senior Swift reflectively.

"I am sure," was the reply. "And I am likewise sure that this scheme of
electrification of my road through the Pas Alos Range is the only
salvation for my railroad."

"I should call it a big contract," Ned Newton said, thoughtfully.

"You have said it! But it is not a visionary scheme I have in mind. You
must know--you Swifts--how successful such an electrification through
the Rockies has been made by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway."

"I've looked that up," confessed Tom, with enthusiasm. "That was a
great piece of work."

"It is. It is. But I hope for even a greater outcome of your