“’Hold extra east, engine 632, at Byers,’” repeated the latter. “Correct.”
The conductor turned without another word and left the office. The engineer followed him with his eyes until he disappeared in the darkness, and then turned back to Allan.
“Would you really have reported him?” he asked, eying the boy curiously.
“Yes,” answered Allan, slowly. “I think I should. He was drunk.”
“He has been drinking,” admitted the engineer. “Personally, I detest him. But he’s got the sweetest little wife you ever saw, and three kids that worship him; so he can’t be wholly bad. What would become of them if he’d lose his job? Of course, you can report him yet, if you want to. But I’d think it over first,” and the engineer followed Higgins out into the night.
Allan did think it over, and the result was that the superintendent never heard of that encounter in the little Byers office.
[CHAPTER VIII]
AN OLD ENEMY