“You stated something like that before. Well, all I’m entitled to say is, if Austin goes, I won’t stay.”
Wheeler smiled, a rather grim smile. He began to see a light, and he admitted the boy had grit.
“You reckon, unless you see us out, we can’t put the bridge across?”
“I’m not a fool,” said Kit. “Engineers are pretty numerous. All the same, there’s something you ought to weigh: for a time the job would bother a fresh man.”
“It’s possible,” Wheeler agreed. “I begin to get your argument, but go ahead——”
Kit’s eyes twinkled. In a way, his talking to Wheeler was humorous. The fellow was his commanding officer and his rule was firm. Kit had thought to annoy him, but so far as he could see, Wheeler was not annoyed. Well, if he wanted to argue, Kit was willing.
“Austin knows his job, and I am, so to speak, his understudy. Then it’s important that the boys know us. I expect you have got a pick on Austin and thought you’d ship him off and give me his part. The plan won’t work.”
“Now I get you; but you can’t bluff a big Canadian company. You claim, unless we hold on to Austin, you will let us down? We’ll risk it. When do you pull out?”
Kit had thought to conquer; but perhaps in a sense, he had conquered, since Wheeler could not use him.
“I imagine I’m engaged for a month——”