"You've got them?" asked Glover, from the counter.
"If they're not by," muttered Blood.
"Red light out," reported Rucker; then three dreadful minutes and it came, "Special 833 taking water; O'Brien wants orders."
And the order went, "Siding, quick, and meet Extra 81, west, at Rucker," and the superintendent rose from the chair.
"It's all over, boys," said he, turning to the operators. "Remember, no man ever got to a railroad presidency by talking; but many men have by keeping their mouths shut. Lay Cawkins on the lounge in my room. Duffy said that boy would never do."
"What was Burling doing, Morris," asked Glover, sitting down by the stove.
"Ask him, Garry," suggested Blood. They waited for the answer.
"Were you asleep on your cot?" asked the despatcher, getting Rucker again.
"If that fellow woke on my call, I'll make a despatcher of him," declared Morris Blood, with a thrill of fine pride.
"No," answered Rucker, "I slept upstairs tonight."