"And if I refuse what will you do next?"
"Telephone to Mr. Rice to bring up the sheriff." And as he spoke Owen stepped up to the telephone booth, which stood between the outer and the inner offices.
"No! no! stop!" cried Ulmer Balasco. "Don't do that! I tell you there is some mistake." He breathed heavily. "Let me think it over. I'll give you my answer to-morrow."
"No, sir, you'll give it to me now," came from Owen, and he made a move as if to enter the telephone booth.
Rushing forward, Ulmer Balasco clutched him by the arm. "You must not do it—it's outrageous!"
"Will you let me take charge of the work?"
"You don't understand what is to be done."
"Perhaps not. But Andy Westmore does, and I shall appoint him head yardmaster for the time being."
"I can do the work right enough," came from Westmore.
"Are you in league with Webb?" demanded the lumber dealer.