She enjoyed hearing Ralph become enthusiastic over railroad matters. Having been a railroader’s wife and having joined with her husband in all his hopes and intentions, she could appreciate Ralph’s enthusiasm. “Well, if you were betting, I could give you a tip,” laughed Ralph at last. “One of two things is going to happen. Either Mr. Hopkins will be transferred to some other sphere of usefulness, or the division is due to suffer the worst strike it has ever had. I am confident of this, Mother—I am confident.” CHAPTER IV ZEPH FATHERS AN IDEA Under the present arrangement of his duties as chief dispatcher for the division, Ralph Fairbanks seldom took the “graveyard trick,” as it is called. Yet occasionally he went downtown and looked in at the office in the late evening. Especially when he knew that a particular schedule was being put through. Just now the division was handling extra wheat trains, and although he had O.K.’d his assistant’s schedule for that night, Ralph somehow felt that he should see if all was going smoothly on this particular evening. The trouble over Mr. Hopkins and his daughter had perhaps gotten on the young chief dispatcher’s nerves—if he really possessed such things. He tried to read an exciting book of travel and adventure after supper while his mother did some darning; but exciting things which had happened in his own career came to Ralph’s mind so insistently that he lost the thread of the writer’s story. With several friends, including Mr. Bob Adair, chief of the Great Northern’s detective force, Ralph had fought many an enemy of the road to a standstill. There was another person, too, who was sure to turn up in the vicinity of any railroad trouble. Ralph suddenly started out of his chair. “There!” he exclaimed, as his mother looked at him wonderingly. “I had forgotten something. Do you know who I thought I saw to-day downtown?” “I have no idea, Ralph.” “I believe Zeph is in Rockton. I saw a fellow who looked very much like him passing along the street. But it was when I was in conference with the G. M. and I could not hail him. Afterward—being mixed up in Miss Hopkins’ trouble, and all—I forgot Zeph.” “Zeph Dallas?” repeated Mrs. Fairbanks. “I would dearly love to see the boy again. He is so unsettled.” “He is a bird on the wing, I guess,” said Ralph. “Never know where he will perch next. But while he is in Rockton I think I know where to find him,” and he reached his hat down from its peg. “Will you go downtown to look him up, Ralph?” asked the widow placidly. “Yes, ma’am. I’d like to see Zeph.” “So would I. Bring him home with you, Ralph. You know we have a spare bed, and Zeph Dallas is just as welcome to it as though he were your brother.”