Enoch nodded. "Instead of dictating letters, this morning, Abbott, suppose you start the visitors this way. Somehow, the thought of wading through that pile, right now, sickens me."
Charley's face showed surprise, but he rose at once. "Mr. Cheney's been waiting for an hour out there with an interesting chap from the western field. Perhaps you'd better see them before I let the committee from California in."
Cheney came first. "Mr. Secretary, one of my men is in from Arizona. He is very much worked up over Brown's last effort and he's got so much to say that I thought you'd better meet him. Incidentally, he's a very fine geologist."
"Bring him in," said Enoch.
The Director swung open the door and moving slowly on a cane, Milton came into the room.
"Mr. Secretary, Mr. Milton," said Cheney. "He—" then he stopped with his mouth open for Milton had turned white and the Secretary was laughing.
"Judge!" gasped Milton.
Enoch left his desk and crossing the room seized both Milton's hands, cane and all.
"Milton, old boy, there's no man in the world I'd rather see than you."
"Why, are you two old friends?" asked Cheney.