wards the
corridor.

"I'll be brief," began Leslie. "The fact is that we want a capable man
accustomed to the planning and construction of irrigation works, and
two of our directors rather fancy you. The right man would have full
control of practical operations, and I have a tolerably free hand in
respect to financial conditions. The main thing we wish to discover
is, are you willing to consider an offer of the position?"

It was on the surface a simple business proposition, but Thurston's
nostrils dilated and his brows contracted, for he guessed what lay
behind it.

"I've heard Savine is a liberal man," continued Leslie, who mistook
Thurston's hesitation. "Still, considering your valuable experience in
the Orchard Valley, I have power to outbid him. You certainly will not
lose financially by throwing in your lot with us."

Then Thurston's anger mastered him, and he flung prudence to the winds.

"Your employers have chosen a worthy messenger," he declared, so
fiercely that Leslie recoiled. "Did you suppose that I would sell my
benefactor, for that is what it amounts to? Confusion to you and the
rogues behind you! There's another score between us, and I feel
greatly tempted to----"

He looked ready to yield to the unmentioned temptation. Leslie,
glancing around anxiously, backed away from him, but restrained himself
with an effort. Thurston stood panting with rage. There was a sound
of approaching footsteps, and the secretary slipped away, leaving the
irate engineer face to face with an amused elderly gentleman and Helen
Savine. Geoffrey did not know how much or how little they had seen.
Helen beckoned to him.

"My father has looked tired during the last hour," she said aside. "I
have been warned that excitement may prove dangerous, but hardly care
to remind him of it. Would you, as a favor to me, persuade him to
return home with you?"

There was no doubt of Thurston's devotion, for Helen had eyes to see,
and she sighed a little, but contentedly, when he hurried away.
Nevertheless, she was still perplexed, for she had seen Mrs. Leslie
looking at him pleadingly, and now Mr. Leslie shrank away from him.
Mrs. Leslie was certainly attractive, and yet Helen thought that she
knew Thurston's character.

Geoffrey found Savine, who appeared to have suddenly collapsed as if
the fire of brilliancy had burned itself out. With more tact than he
usually possessed, Thurston persuaded the older man to take his