n of safety and comfort. As Ralph returned
to the dismantled and still smoking Fogg home he met a neighbor.

"Oh, Fairbanks," spoke this person, "you're in great demand up at the
Foggs."

"How is that?"

"Fogg has come to. They told him about your saving his wife and child.
He cried like a baby at first. Then he insisted on finding you. He's
blessing you for your noble heroism, I tell you."

"I don't know about the noble heroism," returned Ralph with a smile.
"Go back, will you, and tell him I'll see him in about an hour. Tell
him to come down to our house at once. It's all arranged there to make
him feel at home until he can make other arrangements."

"You're a mighty good fellow, Fairbanks" declared the man
enthusiastically, "and everybody knows it!"

"Thank you," returned Ralph, and proceeded on his way. As he casually
looked at his watch the young railroader quickened his steps with the
half-murmured words:

"And now for a tussle with the master mechanic."

CHAPTER XI

THE MASTER MECHANIC

"Want to resign, do you?"

"That is what I came here for, sir," said the young engineer of
No. 999.

"Well, you're too late," and the master mechanic of the Great Northern
seemed to turn his back on Ralph, busying himself with some papers on
his desk. He was a great, gruff fellow with the heart of a child, but
he showed it rarely. A diamond in the rough, most of the employees of
the road were afraid of him. Not so Ralph. The young railroader had
won the respect and admiration of the official by his loyalty and
close attention to duty. In fact, Ralph felt that the influence of the
master mechanic had been considerable of an element in his promotion
to No. 999. He stepped nearer to the desk, managing to face the
would-be tyro.

"Too late, sir?" he repeated vaguely.

"Didn't I say so? Get out!"

The master mechanic waved his hand, and Ralph was a trifle surprised
at what seemed a peremptory dismissal. The moving arm of the old
railroader described a swoop, grasped the hand of Ralph in a fervent
grip, and pulling the young engineer to almost an embrace, he said:

"Fairbanks, we had in our family a little boy who died. It's a pretty
tender memory with us, but every time I look at you I think of the
dear little fellow. He'd have been a railroader, too, if he had lived,
and the fondest wish of my heart is that he might have been like
you."

"Why----" murmured the astonished Ralph.

The master mechanic cl