“Just to see you for a while. Thought you wouldn’t mind a little chinning during your first night on duty.”
“Well,” went on Lenning, “those fellows got rid of me by dropping me into the big tank. Then they skipped out. How did you get back the bullion? I can’t understand how you did that, and let Shoup and the other fellow get away from you.”
So Clancy and Ballard had to tell again of their experiences while on the way from town to the mine.
“That was mighty lucky,” said Lenning, when the story was finished. “I reckon I’m playing in good luck all around. It was tough, though, that this had to happen the first night I got to work here.”
“It was, Lenning,” agreed Mr. Bradlaugh, “but still, all’s well that ends well, you know. You’d better go to the bunk house and turn in. I’ll have Burke put some one else on in your place for the rest of the night.”
“I’d a heap rather stick it out. I’m feeling pretty good, and if I’m to do this work I’d better keep at it.”
Merry could see that this remark of Lenning’s pleased the general manager and the superintendent.
“It looks very much, Lenning,” said Mr. Bradlaugh, “as though Merriwell’s faith in you had been justified. I’m going to relieve Merriwell from any further responsibility in your case, and from this on you’re to stay here on your own responsibility. Get that? I hope you’ll make such a record, my lad, that your uncle will feel that he has made a mistake in your case.”
“Colonel Hawtrey is the least of my worries,” scowled Lenning. “I’m not trying to be square because I expect anything from him. I’m much obliged to you, Mr. Bradlaugh, and you can bet I’ll do my best to hold this job.”
“That’s as much as I could ask of any one on the work. Eh, Burke?”