expressed the deepest gratitude, and Billy, assuring him he would
see him later, continued to the power-house, still wondering where
he had seen him before.

At the power-house he found seated at his desk a large, bearded
stranger whose derby hat and ready-to-wear clothes showed that he
also had but just arrived on the PRINZ DER NEDERLANDEN.

"You William Barlow?" demanded the stranger. "I understand you been
threatening, unless you get your pay raised, to commit sabotage on
these works?"

"Who the devil are you?" inquired Billy.

The stranger produced an impressive-looking document covered with
seals.

"Contract with the president," he said. I've taken over your job.
You better get out quiet," he advised, "as they've given me a squad
of nigger policemen to see that you do."

"Are you aware that these works are the property of the Wilmot
Company?" asked Billy, "and that if anything went wrong here they'd
hold you responsible?" The stranger smiled complacently.

"I've run plants," he said, "that make these lights look like a
stable lantern on a foggy night."

"In that case," assented Billy, "should anything happen, you'll
know exactly what to do, and I can leave you in charge without