"I don't know," Tom answered slowly. "Ransom is trying hard to earn a
living, you know."

Harry snorted. That sort of estimation of Ransom, even as a joke, was a
little too much for him.

"Mighty hot day, Reade," called Ransom, as he reined in near the young
engineers.

"Yes," said Tom slowly. "If I were enjoying myself beside a bottle of
cold soda on the Mansion House porch I don't believe I'd have the energy
to call for a horse and ride all the way out here in the heat."

"Am I intruding?" demanded Ransom, with a swift, keen glance at the
young chief engineer.

"Oh, no, indeed!" came Tom's response. "You're as welcome as the
flowers in spring."

"Thank you. It's a fine job you're doing out here."

"Now it's my turn to extend my thanks to you," Tom drawled. "Your
praise is all the more appreciated as coming from a competitor."

"A competitor!" asked Ransom quickly, and with a half scowl. "I'm not
an engineer."

"Your people are ranked as pretty fair engineers," Reade rejoined.

"My people? What do you mean, Reade? There isn't an engineer in our