Jim buff flushed angrily. Then his face became pale.
“It's a crude way you have of expressing it, Mr. Reade, if you Ill allow me to say so,” the gambler answered, in a voice choked with anger. “I am going to offer your men a little amusement. It's what they need, and what they'll insist upon. Do you see? There's a small mob coming this way now.”
Tom turned, discovering about a hundred railroad laborers coming down the road.
“Mr. Duff,” asked the young chief engineer, “can you show any proof of your authority to erect tents on the railroad's land?”
“What other place around here, Mr. Reade, would be as convenient?” demanded the gambler.
“I repeat my question, sir! Have you any authority or warrant for erecting tents here?”
“Do you mean, have I a permit from the railroad company?”
“You know very well what I mean, Duff.”
Though Reade's tone was somewhat sharper, his smile was as genial as ever.
“I didn't imagine you'd have any objection to my coming here,” the gambler replied evasively.