nstead of to my office in the daytime? I
can prove that he did. Does all that look as if I tried to bribe him?
Forget that we're talking about Grady, and tell me what you think it looks
like."

Carver was silent for a moment. "That wouldn't do any good," he said at
last. "If you had proof that I could act on, I might be able to help you.
I haven't any jurisdiction in the internal affairs of that lodge; but if
you could offer proof that he is what you say he is, I could tell them
that if they continued to support him, the federation withdraws its
support. But I don't see that I can help you as it is. I don't see any
reason why I should."

"I'll tell you why you should. Because if there's any chance that what
I've said is true, it will be a lot better for your credit to have the
thing settled quietly. And it won't be settled quietly if we have to
fight. It isn't very much you have to do; just satisfy yourself as to how
things are going down there. See whether we're square, or Grady is. Then
when the scrap comes on you'll know how to act. That's all. Do your
investigating in advance."

"That's just what I haven't any right to do. I can't mix up in the
business till it comes before me in the regular way."

"Well," said Bannon, with a smile, "if you can't do it yourself, maybe
some man you have confidence in would do it for you."

Carver drummed thoughtfully on his desk for a few minutes. Then he
carefully folded Grady's letter and put it in his pocket. "I'm glad to
have met you, Mr. Bannon," he said, holding out his hand. "Good morning."

Next morning while Bannon was opening his mail, a man came to the
timekeeper's window and asked for a job as a laborer. "Guess we've got men
enough," said Max. "Haven't we, Mr. Bannon?"

The man put his head in the window. "A fellow down in Chicago told me if
I'd come out here to Calumet K and ask Mr. Bannon for a job, he'd give me
one."

"Are you good up high?" Bannon asked.

The man smiled ruefully, and said he was afraid not.

"Well, then," returned Bannon, "we'll have to let you in on the ground
floor. What's your name?"

"James."

"Go over to the tool house and get a broom. Give him a check, Max."

CHAPTER XII

On the twenty-second of November Bannon received this telegram:--

MR. CHARLES BANNON, care of MacBride & Company, South Chicago:

We send today complete drawings for marine tower which you will build in
the middle of spouting house. Harahan Company are