"Eh, there! Get that car on switch A! Now, let her come back to the left. All forward no-ow! Engineer, what's the matter with you today? Are you drunk? Pull that train forward and back it up as I tell you, or I shall report you to the superintendent! You're devilishly contrary today." "Oh, Sam," called some one. "Aw, don't bother me today. I'm in a hurry. I am called by the board of directors to talk over the purchase of the A.G.S. I am chairman of the committee, and have no time to talk with you." "Hello, Sam," greeted Wyeth, as this worthy came hurriedly by. Sam halted a moment and gazed at him, then walked forward and extended his hand, crying: "Mr. Morgan. I'm glad to see you. I am called by the directors of the Southern Railway, with regard to purchasing that line and merging it with the L. & N." "I see. Who owns the L. & N. now," he inquired, casually. "Me." "And the A.G.S.?" "I only have a half interest in that now." "I understand that you refused to buy out the controlling interest in the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company." "Yes, I refused. I don't like the line-up in the directorship. And, besides, I cannot see my way clear to act as chairman of the board of control, therefore, I considered it unwise to invest any millions in the thing." "Well, I won't detain you, since I know you are so busy. Good day." "Good day, Mr. Morgan. Try to call at my office in the Empire building before you leave town. "Engineer, if you don't switch better, call at the office this evening and get your time. I will fire you," and Sam hurried to his office, just as John Moore came from another direction, sleepy-eyed, and looking like the "last rose of summer". The Mis' was waiting for him, and as soon as he was inside, she inquired with concealed suspicion: "Well, where were you last night?" "In jail." "You seem fond of that place of late." He shrugged his shoulders sleepily. "Where did they get you this time?" "Rosie's." "You've been quite a frequenter about there of late...." "That's mah business. Don't try t' hand me no argerment this morning. Fix me something to eat. I'm hongry." "Didn't you have breakfast up there; but then it seems you left before breakfast? How came you back so early? I didn't look for you so soon." "How did you know that I had been got? You are too smart nowaday's anyhow." "Who went your bond?" He regarded her out of impatient eyes now. He glared at her, but said: "I was eight dollars winner, and had two dollars besides." "Um-m. So you give that to a professional bondsman." "Hello," came a call from the outside. "Hello," called back the Mis'. "Come in." "Is John Moore here?" said a bad looking Negro, with a head like a monkey and no chin at all. Moore looked uneasy. "Oh, here you are," said the other, as he spied Moore. His tone was full of contempt, and a touch of anger was mingled. "Where is my part for the stuff you disposed of?" "Ssh! Not so loud."