TOM HAS NO PLANS FOR LEAVING TOWN


"My plans for leaving town?" repeated Tom pleasantly. "Why, gentlemen,
I'll meet your question frankly by saying that I haven't made any such
plans."

"You're going to do so, aren't?" inquired Duff casually.

"By the time that my partner and I have finished our work for the road,
Mr. Duff, I imagine that we shall be making definite plans to go away,
unless the railroad officials decide to keep us here with Paloma as
headquarters for other work."

"We believe that it would be much better for your health if you went
away at once," Duff insisted, with a mildness that did not disguise his
meaning in the least.

Tom deemed it not worth while to pretend any longer that he did not
understand.

"Oh, then it's a case of 'Here's your hat. What's your hurry?'" asked
Reade smilingly.

"Something in that line," assented Jim Duff. "I venture to assure you
that we are quite in earnest in our anxiety for your welfare, Mr.
Reade."

"Whom do you men represent?" asked Tom.