Steve knew Cavard, though he had never passed five minutes' conversation with him since the lads had been in the employ of the company. Steve did not like the fellow; he had distrusted the Duke from the first. Their dislike for each other appeared to have been mutual, Cavard treating both boys with indifference and scorn.
Rush was, therefore, rather surprised when the Russian approached him with cordial, outstretched hand that afternoon on the level where the lad was attending to his duties.
"I want to congratulate you, Rush," said the inspector.
"What for?" asked Steve rather brusquely.
"For your heroism at the time of the fire. The men are all proud of you."
"Thank you. I simply did my duty. Anyone would have done the same."
"But the fact remains, my boy, that no one did the same. The men were panic-stricken. They were crazed with fear."
"So I observed. But I hear good reports of you also. You did your duty, too. Why aren't they congratulating you?"
"Oh, that was nothing. By the way, Rush, you and I ought to be friends."
"I wasn't aware that we were enemies," replied the boy, with a faint smile.