Kit agreed, and at four o’clock he started for the bridge. The foreman said that the thickness of the stuff the smith inquired about was standard thickness, and he reckoned Bill ought to know. Kit went back along the platform and, stopping at the end, looked about.
The afternoon was very hot and the river shone dazzlingly. An angry turmoil broke against the iron piers, and for some distance down-stream the current was marked by lines of foam. In the shadow of the trees on the high bank dark eddies revolved. Across the river, grass and poplar bluffs rolled back to the horizon.
The landscape, however, did not much interest Kit and he studied the workmen. Some were occupied on stages hung between the piers; some crawled about the lattice girders like spiders on a web; their figures were dark against the thin gray steel and shining water. The wind had dropped, and along the bank smoke and steam went straight up. In England Kit had not known the sun as hot.
The men moved languidly, and where a big tie was hoisted two or three disputed. Kit thought it was the sort of afternoon on which a good foreman leaves the gang alone. For him to claim the forge spanner might make trouble; but he must get the tool.
By and by he noted three or four men on a stage who lifted a heavy brace. They obviously meant to fasten the brace across the lattice for the riveters. Kit thought one was Railton, and he climbed to the stage. The men faced the lattice and did not notice his advance. The stage was four or five feet broad and the other side was open to the river, twenty feet below. Tools were scattered about the planks, but Kit did not see the spanner, and he stopped behind Railton. The fellow’s hip-pocket bulged and Kit believed the spanner accounted for the bulge.
“Can’t you hold up your end?” one of the gang inquired.
“I’ve most got her fixed,” said Railton. “Ease her to me and the bolt will go through.”
Kit knew Railton would in a few moments feel for the spanner, and something must be risked. Moving noiselessly, he pushed his hand into the bulging pocket. Railton’s hand went round his back, but he dared not let go the brace, and Kit pulled out the spanner. He stepped back, and striking his foot against a tool-box, rolled across the planks. When he jumped up Railton blocked the way to the ladder. Railton’s face was red and he clenched his fist.
“Did you reckon I carried my wad in my overalls?”
“I reckoned you carried Bill’s spanner,” Kit rejoined.