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Page 28
"I'm afraid I don't follow you, Reade," observed the general manager,
frowning slightly.
"There were others who wanted the job of blocking the Man-killer," Tom
went on earnestly. "They wanted a lot more money for the job than we
thought was necessary. I don't want to accuse anyone, but I am just a
trifle suspicious that the concern of Chicago contractors--"
"The Colthwaite people!" broke in Mr. Ellsworth.
"Yes; if they were bad people, and ugly business rivals--"
"How would the Colthwaite people be able to foresee that you were going
to have a fight with Jim Duff?" interposed Mr. Ellsworth.
"I'm going after the answer, if there is one. I hope to be able to tell
you the answer one of these days."
Tom and Harry made two trips each, in different directions, to make sure
that the watch men were awake and alert. It was nearly eleven o'clock
when the general manager and his engineers turned in for a night's rest
--"subject to the approval of Jim Duff," as Tom dryly stated it.
No more interruptions followed during the night, however. At daylight
the watchmen sought their tents and the day force began to stir soon
after.
After the steam whistle bad blown the breakfast call, Reade slipped away
from his friends to inspect the laborers at the meal.
"There are some of your men absent, Mr. Mendoza," Tom murmured to the
Mexican foreman.
"Yes, Senor. Some of my men slipped away in the night."
"Went off to Paloma, eh?"
Mendoza shrugged his shoulders.
"Gambling, drinking--both," nodded Tom.
"Undoubtedly, Senor."
"Get the names of your absent Mexicans, and report to me with them."
Reade then went to the other foremen, with the same orders.
Before Tom had seated himself at his own meal, with Harry and Mr.
Ellsworth, the foremen appeared, lists in their hands. Tom rapidly ran
his finger down the lists.
"Twenty-eight Mexicans and fourteen Americans absent from camp," he
muttered. "Foremen, when these men come back you may tell them that
they are no longer needed."
All four of the gang bosses looked somewhat astonished.
"Merely for leaving camp in the night time?" Mendoza inquired.
"Yes, under the circumstances," nodded Tom. "If any of these men
declare that they were properly absent, and did not visit the gambling
and the drinking dives, then such men may be reinstated after they have
satisfied Mr. Hazelton, Mr. Hawkins or myself of the truth of their
statements."
"Some of these men will be very ugly when they find that they are
discharged, Senor," suggested Mendoza.
"But you are loyal to us?"
"Can you doubt it, Senor?" asked Mendoza proudly.
"Then you will know how to handle your own fellow-countrymen. The other
foremen will be able to handle the rest of the disgruntled ones.
However, as I have told you, if any man claims that he is unjustly
treated, send him to headquarters for a chance at reinstatement."
General Manager Ellsworth had heard the conversation, but had not
interfered. As soon as the young engineers were alone he joined them at
table, saying:
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