all he can for you."

"It's a fine method," answered Dave; "and I don't wonder that the
Mentor Construction Company is making such a success of its
undertakings."

One day our hero asked Frank Andrews if he knew William Jarvey. At the
question the man drew down the corners of his mouth and shook his head
in disgust.

"Yes, I know Bill," he answered. "He's over in the offices at San
Antonio mostly, but he occasionally comes out here on business for Mr.
Watson. I must say I don't like him very much, and I don't think the
other men do either. He's a fellow who likes to drink now and then,
and I understand he often gambles. That is, when he has the money.
He's usually strapped long before pay-day comes around."

"I thought he might be that sort of fellow," answered Dave.

"He got into a row with Mr. Watson while we were at San Antonio," put
in Roger, and related a few of the particulars.

"If Bill doesn't look out he'll lose his job, and it will be too bad,"
answered Frank Andrews, "because he won't be likely to get another
such easy berth in a hurry. He gets good money for what little he
does. He hired with the company as a first-class bookkeeper, but I
understand he is only ordinary when it comes to handling big masses of
figures."

"Well, I didn't like him when I met him, and I'd be just as well
satisfied if we didn't meet again," said Dave.

But Dave's wish was not to be gratified. He was to meet William Jarvey
in the future, and that meeting was to bring with it a great
surprise.

CHAPTER XXIV

A MIDNIGHT ALARM

"Well, Dave, we have been in this camp just a month to-day. How do you
think you like it?"

"I like it first-rate, Roger--in fact, better than I first thought I
would. All the engineers and assistants are so kind and helpful."

"That's what they are," returned the senator's son. "And I think we
are getting along famously. Do you know, I am actually in love with
the construction of this new Catalco bridge. I think it's going to be
a dandy when it's completed."

"Not only a dandy, Roger, but, unless I miss my guess, it will be a
monument to the skill and ingenuity of the Mentor Construction
Company. I've been reading up on all kinds of bridges, and I think the
construction of this particular bridge goes ahead of most of them."

"One thing is sure--Mr. Obray is very proud of the way things are
going. I heard from Andrews that some of the other construction
companies thought we would n