“You remember last year when the Northeastern Road laid off all but two or three of its old conductors for stealing fares? Well, it wasn't a month afterward that one of the 'honest' ones came to me and hired the _Schmidt_ to carry a twelve-hundred-dollar grand piano up to Milwaukee, where he lives. He had reasons of his own for not wanting to ship by rail. No, sir, it wouldn't be hard for me to have sympathy with an honest thief that goes in and runs his chances of getting shot or knocked on the head,--that calls for some nerve,--but these fellows that put up a bluff as lawmakers and policemen and revenue officers and then steal right and left--deliver me!” “Well, boys, I guess I 'll have to step back. I'm a busy man, you know. Have another before we go?” “One minute, Cap'n,” said Dick. “There's something I want to talk over with you, if you can spare the time.” Stenzenberger sat down again. Henry, whose outbreak against the evils of society had stirred up, apparently, some pet feeling of bitterness, now sat moodily looking at the table. “It's about Roche, Cap'n,” Dick went on. “I had to leave him at Manistee.” “Why?” “He drinks too much for me--I couldn't depend on him a minute. He bummed around up there, and got himself too shaky to be any use to me.” Stenzenberger, with expressionless face, chewed his cigar. “What did you do for a mate?” “Came down without one.” “Have you found a man yet?” “No--haven't tried. I thought you might have some one you could suggest.” “I don't know. You 'll want to be starting up to Spencer's place in a day or so.” He chewed his cigar thoughtfully for a moment, then dropped his voice. “There's a man right here you might be able to use. Do you know McGlory?” “No.” “You do, Henry?” “Yes, he was my mate for a year.” “Well,” said Dick, “any man that suited Henry for a year ought to suit me.” “You 'll find him a good, reliable man,” responded Henry, in an undertone. “He has a surly temper, but he knows all about a schooner.” “Well,--if he's anywhere around here now, we could fix it right up.” Stenzenberger looked around. The woman had slipped out. “Madge,” he called; “Madge, my dear.” She entered as quietly as before. “Come in, my dear. You know Cap'n Smiley, don't you?” No, she didn't. “That's a fact. He's never seen in sample rooms. He sets up to be better than the rest of us; but I say, look out for him. And here's his cousin, another Cap'n Smiley, the handsomest man on the Lakes.” Dick blushed at this. “Sit down a minute with us.” She shook her head, and waited for him to come to the point. “Where's that man of yours, my dear? Is he anywhere around?” “What is it you want of him?” “I want him to know our young man here. I think they're going to like each other. You tell him we want to see him.” She hesitated; then with a suspicious glance around the group left the room.