Not a word did Frank say, but climbed onto the engine and went to work making her ready. He knew there would be a warm time when the engineer appeared.
Old Joe came hurrying in and climbed aboard the engine without noticing Frank. When he saw Merry he stopped short, stared at him a moment, and uttered a curse.
“What’re you doin’ here?” he snarled, looking as if he longed to fly at the youth.
“Getting this engine ready to go out,” was the calm answer.
“The deuce you are! What’s the matter with Bob?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that I was put onto this engine to fire.”
“Well, I’m blowed if I’ll have it! Get off!”
“No, sir.”
“This is my engine, and——”
“You run her, but you don’t own her.”