"That means I'll have to camp out there. I can't get back to Benton."

"No, you can't. And isn't that just as well?" queried the chief, with
his keen, dark glance on Neale. "Son, I've heard your name coupled with
gamblers--and that Stanton woman."

"No doubt. I know them. I've been--seeking some trace of--Allie."

"You still hope to find her? You still imagine some of this riffraff
Benton gang made off with her?"

"Yes."

"Son, it's scarcely possible," said Lodge, earnestly. "Anderson claims
the Sioux got her. We all incline to that.... Oh, it's hard, Neale....
Love and life are only atoms under the iron heel of the U. P. R....
It's too late now. You can't forget--no--but you must not risk your
life--your opportunities--your reputation."

Neale turned away his face for a moment and was silent. An engine
whistled; a bell began to ring; some train official called to General
Lodge. The chief held up his hand for a little more delay.

"I'm off," he said rapidly. "Neale, you'll go out to Number Ten and take
charge."

That surprised and thrilled Neale into eagerness.

"Who are the engineers?"

"Blake and Coffee. I don't know them. Henney sent them out from Omaha.
They're well recommended. But that's no matter. Something is wrong.
You're to have full charge of engineers, bosses, masons. In fact, I've
sent word out to that effect."

"Who's the contractor?" asked Neale.

"I don't know. But whoever he is he has made a pile of money out of this
job. And the job's not done. That's what galls me."

"Well, chief, it will be done," said Neale, sharp with determination.

"Good! Neale, I'll start east with another load off my shoulders....
And, son, if you throw up a bridge so there'll be no delay, something
temporary for the rails and the work-train, and then plan piers right
for Number Ten--well--you'll hear from it, that's all." They shook
hands.

"I may be gone a week or a month--I can't tell," went on the chief.
"But when I do come I'll probably have a trainload of directors,
commissioners, stockholders."

"Bring them on," said Neale. "Maybe if they saw more of what we're up
against they wouldn't holler so."

"Right.... Remember, you've full charge and that I trust you implicitly.
Good-by and good luck!"

The chief boarded his train as it began to move. Neale watched it leave
the station, and with a swelling heart he realized that he had been
placed high, that his premonition of advancement had not been with