one. When we wired to him what we needed, he wired back that enough of
the material would be here within four days to keep us busy for some
time. I believe Mr. Ellsworth never talks until he knows what he's
talking about."

"Well, I hope you can find some work for the men to do this afternoon,"
murmured Harry, as the two young engineers rose from table. "Hawkins,
our superintendent of construction, has about five hundred mechanics and
laborers who will soon need work."

"Yes," agreed Tom. "The men took the jobs with the understanding that
their pay would run on."

"The day's wages for five hundred workmen is a big item of loss when
we're delayed," mused Hazelton.

"There's another consideration that's even worse than the loss," Tom
went on in a low voice. "The pay train will be here this afternoon and
the men will have a lot of money by evening. This town of Paloma is
going to be wide open to-night in the effort to get the money away from
our five hundred men."

"We can't stop that," sighed Harry. "We have no control over the way in
which the workmen choose to spend their money."

"Want me to tell you a secret?" whispered Tom mysteriously.

"Yes, if it's an interesting one," smiled Harry.

"Very good, then. I know I can't actually interfere with the way the