e we can't get anything through to-day, or until you get things
in running order again?" he intimated.

"We were sending nothing through on account of the Fourth," explained
Bart, "but you leave the package here and I will see that it goes on
the eleven o'clock train."

Bart had just completed the fire-loss list when a heavy step caused him
to turn around.

A portly, well-dressed man, important-appearing and evidently on
business, stood in the doorway looking sharply about the place.

"Well!" he uttered, "What's this?"

"The express office," said Bart, arising.

"Oh, it is?" slowly commented the man, "You in charge?"

"Yes, sir," politely answered Bart.

"Set up shop; doing business, eh?"

"Fast as I can," announced Bart.

"Who told you to?" demanded the visitor bending a pair of stern eyes on
Bart.

"Why do you ask that, may I inquire?" interrogated Bart, pleasantly, but
standing his ground.

"Ha-hum!" retorted the stranger, "why do ask. Because I am the
superintendent of the express company, young man, and somewhat
interested in knowing, I fancy!"

CHAPTER VI

GETTING "SATISFACTION"

Bart did not lose his presence of mind, but he fully realized that he
faced a critical moment in his career.

Very courteously he drew forward the rude impromptu bench he had knocked
together two hours before.

"Will you have a seat, sir?" he asked.

The express superintendent did not lose his dignity, but there was a
slightly humorous twitching at the corners of his mouth.

"Thanks," he said, wearily seating himself on the rude structure.
"Rather primitive furniture for a big express company, it seems to me."

"It was the best I could provide under the circumstances," explained
Bart modestly.

"You made this bench, did you?"

Bart acknowledged the imputation with a nod.

"And that--desk, is it?"

"Yes, sir."

"And the sign outside, and opened for business?"

"There was no one else on hand. I felt that I must represent my father,
Mr. Stirling, who is the authorized agent here, until the seriousness of
his condition was known. You see, there was business likely to come in,
and I have been here to attend to it."

"Just so," vouchsafed his visitor. "No out shipments to-day, I believe?"

"No, it's a holiday, but there was some rush in stuff on the morning
express."

"Where is it?"

"I have delivered most of it--the balance, two freezers of ice cream, I
will attend to this afternoon. I am keepi