om he was not acquainted.
Ruth and Imogene, he learned, had come down the day before with the
New Yorker and were staying at the McDonnell home.

"We're just roaming around and amusing ourselves," Ruth said, slipping
her arm within Lee's. "Come on and join us."

Lee smilingly shook his head.

"Can't possibly do it," said he. "I'm leaving for the capital soon."

Ruth drew him aside.

"But give me ten minutes of your time before you go, will you, dear?"
she asked. "Come, we can go into one of the parlours where we'll be
alone." And when they were seated there, she continued, "I know why
you're going to Santa Fe. Charlie said he understood you were involved
in some new legal trouble and that you might lose your whole project.
Mr. Gretzinger laughed at him and so did I, for we knew it couldn't be
true. But it's bothering you, I see; your face is anxious. I hope
you'll clear up the horrid matter, whatever it is, while you're gone."
Then after a pause, she remarked, "Perhaps Mr. Gretzinger could be of
assistance to you."

"Not in this matter," said Lee.

"He has a great deal of influence, especially in the East."

"But this is the West--and I don't care much for Gretzinger, besides,"
he stated.

"So he says. More than once he has wished you would be more friendly.
Isn't it a little inconsiderate of you, Lee, to hold him off at arm's
length, especially when he's here as representative of the
bondholders? He has a vital interest in the canal and its success.
Really, I think he might be of great help if you'd permit. And it
would be of great advantage to us in the future, his friendship and
that of the men behind him, for they are wealthy and influential.
That's one reason why you ought to cultivate him, Lee."

"Go on," said he, as she paused.

"Well, I thought we should discuss the matter. I'm of the opinion that
you misunderstand him. You'll not deny that he's a man of ability."

"No--though I know little of him."

"He is, though, Lee. And an engineer of high standing, too, and of
experience. Wouldn't it be wise to consult him a little more than you
do? He has talked to me at times about the project and has, I believe,
ideas you could use. For instance, he says that if you made certain
changes in the canal there would be a considerable saving of money, by
which the stockholders would benefit, you among them. He says that if
in certain places wood were used instead of concrete it would mean
thousands of dollars