"I don't generally seem able to say just what I want to Brown unless I
write it out." His letter ran:--

DEAR MR. BROWN: We've finally got things going. Had to stir them up a
little at Ledyard. Can you tell me who it is that's got hold of our coat
tails on this job? There's somebody trying to hold us back, all right. Had
a little fuss with a red-headed walking delegate last night, but fixed
him. That hat hasn't come yet. Shall I call up the express company and see
what's the matter? 7 1/4 is my size.

Yours,
BANNON.

He had folded the letter and addressed the envelope, when he paused and
looked around. The typewritten letter to MacBride & Company lay at his
elbow. He signed it before he spoke.

"Miss Vogel, have you come across any letters or papers about an agreement
with the C. & S. C?"

"No," she replied, "there is nothing here about the railroad."

Bannon drummed on the table; then he went to the door and called to a
laborer who was leaving the tool house:--

"Find Mr. Peterson and ask him if he will please come to the office for a
moment."

He came slowly back and sat on the corner of the table, watching Miss
Vogel as her pencil moved rapidly up column after column.