the same thing and then go back home."

"Well, I don't know what else I can tell you. That's just the size of it.
I hope we'll be able to fix you in a few days, but we can't promise
anything."

Bannon frowned, and after an expectant pause, the superintendent went on
talking vaguely about the immense rush of traffic. Finally he asked, "Why
do you think we'd hold you up if we had the cars?"

"That's what I came here to find out. I think you're mistaken about not
having them."

The superintendent laughed. "You can't expect to know more about that than
I do. You doubtless understand your business, but this is my business. If
you can tell me where the cars are, you can have them."

"Well, as you say, that's your business. But I can tell you. There's a big
string of empties--I counted fourteen--on the siding at Victory."

The superintendent looked out of the window and again drummed on the desk.
When he spoke again, his manner was more what one would expect from a
division superintendent. "You don't know anything about it. When we want
advice how to run our road we'll ask you for it. Victory isn't in my
division anyway."

"Then wire the general manager. He ought to know something about it."

"Wire him yourself, if you like. I can't bother about it. I'm sorry I
can't do anything, but I haven't got time."