"What did you change it for?"
The freight engineer gave a derisive guffaw.
"To save the show car, of course!" he said quickly. "The company owes you about nineteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars, kid!" declared the engineer, giving Ralph a glance of the profoundest admiration.
But Mr. Bardon, inspector, was not to be moved by matters of sentiment. He fixed a stony stare on the free-and-easy engineer, and turned upon Ralph, the icy, immovable disciplinarian to perfection.
"What right have you to tamper with the railway company's switches?" he demanded.
"None, perhaps," answered Ralph, "but----"
"You are a switchman?"
"No, sir, but I am an employe of the company."
"Oh, you are?"
Ralph bowed.