“Oh, I guess he’s got time to see you. You come with me.” Mr. Latham led the way past the counter and knocked again at the inner door. “Charlie, here’s a young gentleman who wants to see you,” announced the First Vice-President as, followed by Willard, he entered and closed the door again. “He’s got a petition signed by about half the citizens of Audelsville. See what you can do for him, will you? Morris, this is Mr. Cummings. Charlie, shake hands with Mr. Willard Morris, one of Audelsville’s hustling citizens.” The big man at the big desk smiled and shook hands. “Glad to do anything I can for you, Mr. Morris,” he said. “What’s wanted?” “Show him that document, Morris,” directed Mr. Latham. Mr. Cummings read it and then looked dubiously at Mr. Latham. “Seems to me we’ve let somebody have the station privilege at Audelsville, Henry,” he said. “We have, but competition’s the life of trade, they say, Charlie, and these young gentlemen are particular friends of mine. I guess we can let them in, can’t we?” “I suppose so.” Mr. Cummings pressed one of a row of buttons at the edge of his desk and almost at once a clerk entered. “Dictation, Graham.” The clerk seated himself, pulled a book from his pocket and poised a pencil. Mr. Cummings fixed his eyes on the ceiling. “To――――” He glanced at the petition in his hand――“To Benton and Morris Transportation Company, Audelsville, R. I. ‘Gentlemen: Your application for platform privilege at Audelsville station received and same is hereby granted, terminable at our discretion. We have notified our agent to afford you space for one’――eh?” “Could you make it two, please?” asked Willard. The Passenger Agent shot a glance of inquiry at the First Vice-President, and the latter, with a smile, nodded. “All right. ‘Space for two vehicles. Respectfully, and so forth.’ Typewrite that immediately, please, and I’ll sign it. Here’s another. ‘Agent, Audelsville, R. I. Benton and Morris Transportation Company granted platform privilege until further notice. You will provide them space for two vehicles. Respectfully and so forth.’ That all I can do for you?” “Yes, sir, thank you very much,” replied Willard. “Good morning.” CHAPTER XIII PAT HERRON LOSES HIS TEMPER “Well, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?” inquired Mr. Latham as they left the office a few minutes later. Willard smiled. “I guess it might have been if you hadn’t helped,” he answered. “Perhaps. Division Superintendents are pretty busy persons. Well, good luck to you, my boy, and I hope the transportation company will get lots of business and soon begin to declare dividends.”