"Hullo, is that you, Bradford? What are you doing out this time of night?" And then the lumber merchant and capitalist rode nearer. Owen now came up, leaving Bruce to continue watching those in the office. "I am awfully glad you've got here, Mr. Wilbur," Owen said warmly, as he shook hands. "But I didn't expect you this time of night." "I came in on the midnight Limited, and got a special order to have it stop at Tunley. Did you get my telegram?" "I did, and I am pushing the work as well as I can. But Mr. Balasco is very sore, and I think he and that Foxy Hildan are plotting more mischief. They are now in the office at the safe, and we were watching them. You see, Mr. Balasco turned over the combination of the safe to me, and he----" "I understand." Jefferson Wilbur's voice grew stern. "I don't think, though, that I'll have much trouble with him. Come with me." Bruce was introduced, and the party of four walked to the offices. The main entrance was unlocked, and they threw open the door and Dale lit the large swinging lamp. Then the inner door opened, and Jefferson Wilbur and Ulmer Balasco found themselves face to face. For the moment there was utter silence, Ulmer Balasco staring mutely at his partner, and Jefferson Wilbur eying the man before him critically. "What are you up to at this time of night, Balasco?" asked Mr. Wilbur, at length. "I was--er--looking for some of my private papers," stammered the other. "Now that you have placed this young fellow in charge, I didn't want him to get mixed up in my private affairs." "I don't wish anything to do with your private affairs," retorted Owen quickly. "We may as well come to an understanding to-night instead of to-morrow," went on Jefferson Wilbur. "I know exactly how you have been acting, Balasco. What have you to say for yourself?" "I reckon I had a right to do as I thought best," growled Ulmer Balasco. "And ruin me? No, indeed!" "I wasn't going to ruin anybody." "Yes, you were. I was to be forced out, and then you and Hildan were going to run things to suit yourselves." "So you think you are going to drag me into this," put in Foxy Hildan. "Well, let me say, I won't stand for it." "But you will," said Jefferson Wilbur sternly. "Do you know what happened in Detroit yesterday? Radley Force was caught manipulating the books and he made a confession concerning both himself and you. In a few day the plain truth will be in the mouths of all, and lumbermen generally will know exactly what sort of a man Foxy Hildan is. Hildan, I was a fool to trust you and Balasco, but my eyes are open at last," added Jefferson Wilbur earnestly. "See here, I won't stand for this sort of talk!" came blusteringly from Ulmer Balasco. "Now you are here, I'll tell you what I propose to do. Just as soon as this railroad contract is at an end, I shall withdraw from our limited partnership, and then you can market your own lumber."