to have to fight the MacMorroghs and the president in the
same round."

"Why should Uncle Sidney take the part of these men, if they are bad
men, Mr. Ford?"

"Because he has always distrusted my judgment, and because he is loyal
to Mr. North, whom he has made my superior. Mr. North tells him that I
am to blame."

"But it must be a very dreadful condition of things, if what Mr. Frisbie
said is all true."

"Frisbie spoke of only one little incident. Trouble like this we're
having to-day is constantly arising. No money-making graft is too petty
or too immoral for the MacMorroghs to connive at. They rob and starve
their laborers, and cheat the company with bad work. I've got to have a
free hand in dealing with them, or--"

He stopped abruptly, realizing that he was talking to her as he might
have talked to a specialist in his own profession. Hence he was not
disappointed when she said:

"You go too fast for me. But I think I understand now why our coming is
inopportune. And it's comforting to know that the reason is a business
reason."

He put shame to the wall and blurted out suddenly: "It is only one of
the reasons, Miss Adair. The--the camps are no fit place for a party
with women. You--you'll have to be blind and deaf if your uncle persists
in taking you with him."

It was said, and he was glad of it, though he was wiping the
perspiration from his face when the thing was done. She was silent until
they were standing at the steps of the side-tracked private car.

"Thank you," she said simply. "Of course, I'll do what I can to keep
Uncle Sidney from going--and taking us. What shall you say to him?"

"I am going to tell him that our track isn't safe for the Nadia--which
is true enough."

"Very well. I'll tell Aunt Hetty and Mrs. Van Bruce--which may be more
to the point. But don't be encouraged by that. I have reason to believe
that Uncle Sidney will have his way in spite of any or all of us."

XVII

A NIGHT OF ALARMS

Ford put Miss Alicia up the steps of the Nadia and followed her into the
vestibule, meaning to fight it out with Mr. Colbrith on the spot, and
hoping he might have a private audience with the president for the doing
of it.

The hope was not denied. Penfield, who was acting as private secretary
to Mr. Colbrith, _en route_, appeared in the passageway to say that Ford
was wanted in the president's state-room.

"Well, Mr. Ford, what are we waiting for?" was the querulous demand
whi