cost you could have had a camp
here pleasant, safe, clean, and an hospital ready for emergencies. Why,
good heavens! they might at least have kept the vermin out."

"Oh, pshaw!" said Fahey, "every camp has to have a few of them fellows.
Makes the men feel at home. Besides, you can't absolutely drive them
out."

"Drive them out? Give me a free hand and I'll make this camp clean of
vermin in two weeks, absolutely, and keep it so. Why, it would pay,"
continued the doctor. "You would keep your men in good condition, in
good heart and spirits. They would do twice the work. They would stay
with you. Besides, it would prevent scandal."

"Scandal?" The General Manager looked up sharply.

"Yes, scandal. I have done what I could to prevent talk, but down the
line they are talking some, and if I am not mistaken it will be all over
the East in a few weeks."

The General Manager was thinking hard. "Look here, young man," he said,
with the air of one who has made up his mind, "do you drink?"

"No."

"Do you gamble?"

"When I've nothing to do."

"Oh, well," said Mr. Fahey, "a little poker doesn't hurt a man now and
then. I am going to make you an offer which I hope you will consider
favourably. I offer you the position of medical superintendent of this
line at a salary of three thousand a year and all expenses. It's not
much, but if the thing goes we can easily increase it. You needn't
answer just now. Think it over. I don't know your credentials, but I
don't care."

For answer, Dr. Bailey took out his pocketbook and selected a letter. "I
didn't think I would ever use this. I didn't want to use it. But you can
look at it."

Mr. Fahey took the letter, glanced through it hurriedly, then read it
again with more care.

"You know Sir William?"

"Very slightly. Met him once or twice in London."

"This is a most unusual letter for him to write. You must have stood
very high in the profession in London."

"I had a fairly good position," said Dr. Bailey.

"May I ask why you left?"

Dr. Bailey hesitated. "I grew tired of the life--and, besides--well--I
wanted to get away from things and people."

"Pardon my asking," said Fahey hastily. "It was none of my business.
But, Doctor--" here he glanced at the letter again, "Bailey, you say
your name is?"

"They called me Bailey when I came in and I let it go."

"Very well, sir," replied Fahey quickly, "Bailey let it be. My offer
holds, only I'll make it four thousand. We can