I think you will understand that it is some of our business whether you
have been over in town emptying your pockets, into Jim Duff's hat. If
that is what you have been doing, then we don't want you here, and won't
have you. If you haven't been hob-nobbing with our enemies, and paying
all you had for the privilege, then we'll look into any claims of better
conduct that you may make, and, if satisfied that you've been telling
the truth, we'll reinstate you."

"Oh, you make me tired--you kid!" burst from Bellas's lips.

"This isn't an experience meeting," Tom replied, not losing his smile,
"and I'm not interested in your impressions of me. Do you wish to make
any statement advocating your right to be taken on the pay roll again?"

"No, I don't!" roared the angry fellow. "All I want to do is to show
you my opinion of you, Tommy! I can do that best by rubbing your nose
in the dirt outside."

Foreman Payson flung himself between the big, angry human bull and the
young chief engineer.

"Don't waste any time or heat on him, Mr. Payson," Tom advised, slipping
his handful of letters into his coat and tossing that garment to the
back of the room. "If Bellas has any grudge against me, I don't want to
stop him from making his last kick."

Tom took a step forward, his open hands hanging at his sides. He didn't
look by any means alarmed, though Bellas appeared to be about twice the
young chief engineer's size.