And it was not strange that he should have called Ralph Fairbanks into conference. Young as the latter was, he was a link between the officials and the workmen at large. “Look here, Ralph,” said the general manager suddenly, swinging about in his chair with one leg over its arm and pointing his lighted cigar at the young fellow, “I’m going to ask you a pointed question. What do you think of Bart Hopkins?” “Mr. Hopkins—the division super?” returned Ralph briskly and looking straight into the general manager’s face. “I think that Mr. Hopkins has a lovely daughter. As the boys say, she’s a peach!” “No,” replied the general manager gloomily, “she’s a Cherry—a different kind of fruit. But I am not asking your opinion of Cherry Hopkins. How about Bart?” “I guess I haven’t been thinking much about him,” confessed Ralph slowly. “He has been here in charge for three months, and to tell the truth I have not spoken to him half-a-dozen times. He has nothing to do, of course, with the dispatchers’ department. Mr. Hopkins is a pleasant-spoken man.” “You know blamed well that I am not asking, either, about Bart Hopkins’ social qualities,” said the exasperated general manager. “What do you think of him as a railroad man? What is he doing here?” A flash of feeling came into Ralph Fairbanks’ face and he looked steadily at his old friend and superior. “What did you expect him to do here?” “Confound it all! I don’t want to be catechised. I want you to answer me. I want to know what you think of the man’s work?” “You want it straight, then, do you?” asked Ralph sharply. “Yes, I do.” “Then I think he will end in setting everybody by the ears and bringing on a strike that may spread to every division of the Great Northern. You have forced this answer from me. Remember, you must not quote me.” “I won’t snitch,” said the general manager, with a wry grin. “I understand. Then you take the men’s view of Bart? You believe he is a trouble-maker?” “As sure as you are two feet high!” exclaimed Ralph, with conviction. “Huh! He has already brought about changes that have saved the division a mint of money.” “The other changes he has made will cost the road a good deal more—if there is a strike.” “Actually, do you believe there will be a strike, Ralph?” “If Andy McCarrey has his way, there will be. And Mr. Hopkins is playing right into McCarrey’s hands.” “I can’t believe that Bart would deliberately do anything to bring on trouble.”