"Agent of the Colthwaite Company?" repeated the general manager, opening
his eyes. "What's his name?"

"Fred Ransom," Tom replied half carelessly.

"Ransom? Fred Ransom? I never heard of any Colthwaite agent of that
name."

"He's one of the Colthwaite people's troublemakers," Tom went on,
opening his own eyes rather wide.

"If you were sure of this why didn't you report it to me earlier?"

"Why, I supposed your railroad detectives knew all about it. And that
you had heard of it long ago," Reade declared.

"I haven't heard a word of it," continued Mr. Ellsworth, coming down the
steps of his car and standing on the ground once more. "What proof have
you of Ransom's business here?"

"None whatever," Tom answered cheerfully, "but I had him spotted the
first time I heard him talking. He was too entirely positive that we'd
fail."

"That was no proof against him."

"No; but Ransom was also certain that the Colthwaite plan was the only
one that could bring the Man-killer to time."