"I intend to see your father," said Mr. Leslie, "and I want to get back
to the city to-night. I may have some orders for you, so we'll call it
four, sharp."

"I will be here, sir."

The superintendent stepped outside. Evidently he had made an
appointment, for he was met by the freight agent of the B. & M., who
knew Bart and nodded to him.

As the two men strolled slowly over to the ruins of the express shed,
Bart heard Mr. Leslie remark:

"That's a smart boy in there."

"And a good one," supplemented the freight agent.

Bart experienced a thrill of pleasure at the homely compliment. He tried
to get back to business, but he found himself considerably flustered.

All the morning his hopes and plans had drifted in one definite
direction--to get some assurance of permanent employment for the future.

The only work he had ever done was here at the express office for his
father. It was a daring prospect to imagine that he, a mere boy, would
be allowed to succeed to a grown man's position and salary--and yet Bart
had placed himself in line for it with every prompting of diligence and
duty.