"The bully!" he muttered, when out of hearing. "The big, overgrown bully! What a difference between him and Mr. Wilbur! It didn't hurt the horse one bit to use him--he really needed the exercise. I believe he is down on us, just because we were recommended by his partner. I hope Mr. Wilbur comes out here and gives him 'hail, Columbia'!" As Ulmer Balasco rode down into Tunley his face was very thoughtful. Something in Owen's manner had aroused the suspicion that had been slumbering in his breast ever since the two young lumbermen had applied to him for work. "I'd like to know what he went down to Tunley for," he mused. "Wonder if I can find out?" At the depot he met the station master and asked him if he had seen Owen. "Yes, he was here with a couple of letters," was the reply. "Hum! Did he--er--did he mail that letter to--er--Portland?" "Don't know as he did, Mr. Balasco. The two he gave me to stamp were for some sheriff in Maine and to Mr. Wilbur." "Nothing for Portland?" "Not that I saw." "You are sure about the one to Mr. Wilbur?" "Oh, yes! It was extra-heavy, and needed six cents in stamps." "Hum! Has it gone yet?" "Yes, he came down early, so that the letters would catch the first mail East." "Then my letters must wait--if the train has gone," said Ulmer Balasco, producing several communications. "Well, it doesn't matter much. Have a cigar, Larry;" and then he produced the cigars and changed the subject. From the station he visited the hotel, and then started back to camp. "The young spies!" he muttered, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I was afraid of it right along. Their coming here for work was only a blind. Wilbur sent them here to learn just what I was doing, and I've been fool enough to play into their hands right from the start. For all I know, they may know everything, and may be watching Foxy Hildan as well as myself. If that is so, I've put myself in a nice hole." He clenched his fists. "What had I best do next? Shall I lay low, or call them into the office and have it out with them?" He mused for several minutes, chewing his cigar-end viciously. "I reckon I'll call them up, and get clear of them. Perhaps after that I can doctor matters up before Wilbur gets on the ground and sees how things are going." CHAPTER XXXI THE CRISIS The new donkey engine at the yard where Owen was employed was in charge of Bruce Howard, so the young lumberman now saw considerable of the young engineer, and quite a friendship sprang up between the pair. "I'm not going to stay here very much longer," said Bruce. "Don't like the work, I suppose," returned Owen. "Oh, it's good enough, but I want to get into some big rolling mill or steel plant. What I would like best of all would be to study chemistry, with a view of becoming a high-grade steel maker. Such men are greatly in demand and they earn big salaries."