“Maybe he was asleep and didn’t see it.”
“And have you any evidence?”
“None but his manner,” answered Mr. Plumfield frankly.
“Well,” said the spokesman, twirling his cap in his hands, “all I can say is that that’s mighty poor evidence, it seems to me. We had a meetin’ at the lodge last night, and we was appointed a committee to see you and demand that Bassett be reinstated at once.”
“All right,” said Mr. Plumfield, “I’ll consider it.”
“And when can we have our answer?”
“This afternoon at three o’clock,” answered the train master sharply.
“All right, sir,” said the spokesman of the committee, and the three men filed out.
Mr. Plumfield looked over at Allan, after a moment, with a little laugh.
“I’m afraid those fellows have got me,” he said. “I’m morally convinced that Bassett’s crooked, but there’s no way to prove it. I’m afraid I’ll have to back down. I made a mistake in suspending him in the first place, but the man’s manner irritated me.”