“You have heard the talk of the K. & Z. also running a line to the new gold field from Red Deer? And that they were held up by right-of-way trouble? Well, we have just learned that that was all a bluff; that they have been quietly making preparations, and are about to start construction almost immediately. And you see what that means?”
“A race for the Yellow pass?”
“A race—and more than that. Did you ever read of the great war between the Santa Fe and the Rio Grande for the Grand Canyon of Colorado? Regularly organized bands of fighting men on either side, and pitched battles? Well, I don’t anticipate matters coming to that point between us and the K. & Z., but I wouldn’t be surprised if it came near it before we are through. The lines traverse wild country, and the K. & Z. people have men in their construction department who would pull up track or cut wires as soon as light a pipe. In the latter case they would cut at critical times. There is where an operator with a head for difficulties might prove invaluable.”
“I would be more than glad to tackle it, sir,” agreed Alex enthusiastically.
“Very well then. You may consider yourself, and your friend Orr, appointed. And if you know of anyone else of the same brand, you might suggest him,” the superintendent concluded.
“I don’t think I do, sir—at the moment,” Alex responded.
The week succeeding brought Alex a suggestion.