Lidgerwood did not extend his round to include Benson's post at the yard office, which was below the coal chutes. Instead, he went over to the Nadia, thinking pointedly of the two added mysteries: the fact that Gridley had told a deliberate lie to account for his appearance in Angels, and the other and more recent fact that the master-mechanic was conferring, even in terms of profanity, with Rufford's brother, who was not, and never had been, in his department. Under the "umbrella roof" of the _Nadia's_ rear platform the young people of the party were sitting out the early half of the perfect summer night, the card-tables having been abandoned when Benson had brought word of the tacit armistice. There was an unoccupied camp-chair, and Miss Brewster pointed it out to the superintendent. "Climb over and sit with us, Howard," she said, hospitably. "You know you haven't a thing in the world to do." Lidgerwood swung himself over the railing, and took the proffered chair. "You are right; I haven't very much to do just now," he admitted. "Has your strike materialized yet?" she asked. "No; it isn't due until midnight." "I don't believe there is going to be any." "Don't you? I wish I might share your incredulity--with reason." Miss Doty and the others were talking about the curious blending of the moonlight with the masthead electrics, and the two in the shadowed corner of the deep platform were temporarily ignored. Miss Brewster took advantage of the momentary isolation to say, "Confess that you were a little bit over-wrought this afternoon when you wanted to send us away: weren't you?" "I only hope that the outcome will prove that I was," he rejoined patiently. "You still believe there will be trouble?" "Yes." "Then I'm afraid you are still overwrought," she countered lightly. "Why, the very atmosphere of this beautiful night breathes peace." Before he could reply, a man came up to the platform railing, touched his cap, and said, "Is Mr. Lidgerwood here?" Lidgerwood answered in person, crossing to the railing to hear Judson's latest report, which was given in hoarse whispers. Miss Brewster could distinguish no word of it, but she heard Lidgerwood's reply. "Tell Benson and Dawson, and say that the engine I ordered had better be sent up at once." When Lidgerwood had resumed his chair he was promptly put upon the question rack of Miss Eleanor's curiosity. "Was that one of your scouts?" she asked. "Yes." "Did he come to tell you that there wasn't going to be any strike?" "No." "How lucidly communicative you are! Can't you see that I am fairly stifling with curiosity?" "I'm sorry, but you shall not have the chance to say that I was overwrought twice in the same half-day." "Howard! Don't be little and spiteful. I'll eat humble pie and call myself hard names, if you insist; only--gracious goodness! is that engine going to smash into our car?"