“This construction work requires more personal attention, sir. I may have twenty minutes to dream, in the afternoon, but my mornings are mortgaged each day, from four o’clock on.” An hour later Mr. Howe joined Reade and Hazelton in the field. Tom had already prodded three or four foremen, showing them how their gangs were losing time. “If we get the road through on time, and save the charter,” Tom called, on leaving each working party, “every laborer and foreman is to have an extra week’s pay for his loyalty to us.” In every instance that statement brought forth a cheer. “Did Mr. Newnham tell you that you could promise that?” inquired Harry. “No,” said Tom shortly. “Then aren’t you going a bit far, perhaps!” “I don’t care,” retorted Tom. “Victory is the winning of millions; defeat is the loss of millions. Do you imagine Mr. Newnham will care about a little thing such as I’ve promised the men? Harry, our president is a badly worried man, though he doesn’t allow himself to show it. Once the road is finished, operating and safe, he won’t care what money he has to spend in rewards. He-----” Tom did not finish his words. Instead he dug his heels into his pony, bringing his left hand down hard on that animal’s flank. “Yi, yi, yi! Git!” called Tom, bending low over his mount’s neck. He drove straight ahead. Hazelton looked astonished for a space of five seconds, then started in pursuit of his chum and chief. It was not long ere Tom reined in, holding up a hand as a signal to Harry to do the same thing. “Here, hold my horse, and stay right here,” ordered the young chief. “Tom, what on earth-----” Tom Reade was already a hundred yards away, running in amid the brush. At last he halted, studying the ground earnestly. Then Reade disappeared. “One thing I know, anyway,” muttered the puzzled Hazelton, “Tom is not crazy, and he doesn’t dash off like that unless he has something real on his mind.” The minutes passed. At last Tom came back, walking energetically. He took his horse’s bridle and leaded into saddle. “Harry, ride back, hard, and send me two or three of the railroad detectives, unless you happen to meet some of them this side of the camp. I want the men on the rush. Don’t fail to tell ’em that.” “Any---er---explanations” queried Hazelton. “For you---yes---but don’t take the time to pass the explanation on to the men. Just hustle ’em here. When I started my horse forward it was because I caught sight of ’Gene Black’s head over the bush tops. I found a few of his footprints, then lost the trail. Send Dave Fulsbee along, too, if you have the luck to see him. I want ’Gene Black hunted down before he does some big mischief. Now---ride!” Harry Hazelton went back over the trail at a gallop. Not until he reached camp did he come upon Fulsbee’s men. These he hustled out to find Tom.