's your business. But I can tell you. There's a
big string of empties--I counted fourteen--on the siding at Victory."

The superintendent looked out of the window and again drummed on the
desk. When he spoke again, his manner was more what one would expect
from a division superintendent. "You don't know anything about it. When
we want advice how to run our road we'll ask you for it. Victory isn't
in my division anyway."

"Then wire the general manager. He ought to know something about it."

"Wire him yourself, if you like. I can't bother about it. I'm sorry I
can't do anything, but I haven't got time."

"I haven't begun sending telegrams yet. And I haven't very much more
time to fool away. I'd like to have you find out if the Ledyard Salt and
Lumber Company can have those cars that are on the siding at Victory."

"All right," said the superintendent, rising. At the door he turned back
to ask, "When was it you saw them?"

Bannon decided to chance it. "Yesterday morning," he said.

The superintendent returned presently, and, turning to his desk, resumed
his work. A few minutes later the telegraph operator came in and told
him that the cars at Victory had been loaded with iron truss work the
night before, and had gone off down the State.

"Just too late, wasn't I?" said Bannon. "That's hard luck." He went to
the window and, staring out into the yards, began tapping idly with his
pencil on the glass. The office door was open, and when he paused he
heard the telegraph instrument just without, clicking out a message.

"Anything else I can do for you?" asked the superintendent. His good
humor was returning at the sight of his visitor's perplexity.

"I wish you'd just wire the general manager once more and ask him if he
can't possibly let us have those cars."

"All right," said the other, cheerfully. He nodded to the operator. "For
the Ledyard Salt and Lumber Company," he said.

Bannon dropped into a chair, stretched himself, and yawned. "I'm
sleepy," he said; "haven't had any sleep in three weeks. Lost thirty-two
pounds. If you fellows had only got that cribbing down on time, I'd be
having a vacation----"

Another yawn interrupted him. The telegraph receiver had begun giving
out the general manager's answer.

_Tell-Ledyard-we-hope-to-have-cars-in-a-few-days-_

The superintendent looked at Bannon, expecting him to finish his
sentence, but he only yawned again.

_obey-previous-instructions.--Do-not-gi