"No; but evidently somebody else has."

Frisbie read the letter again.

"'So that all heads of departments may be on duty when the president
makes his annual inspection trip over the lines,'" he quoted. "Is Mr.
Colbrith coming out this early in the summer?"

"No, of course not. He never comes before August."

"Then this is only a trumped-up excuse to make you stay here?"

"That's all," Ford replied laconically.

Mr. Richard Frisbie got up and walked twice the length of the little
room before he said:

"This Denver gentleman is going to knock your little scheme into a
cocked hat, if he can, Stuart."

"I am very much afraid we'll have to reckon upon that. As a matter of
fact, I've been reckoning upon it, all along."

"How much of a pull has he with the New York money-people?"

"I don't know that: I wish I did. It would simplify matters somewhat."

Frisbie took another turn up and down the room, with his head down and
his hands in his pockets.