"Hm-mm!"
Mr. Keating was surveying his caller quizzically. Steve looked him steadily in the eyes.
"How did you happen to get that idea?"
"It came to me when my friend Jarvis was complaining about the gases up on the charging platform. I do not know whether the idea is of any value to you. You are welcome to it if it is."
"We will discuss that phase of it later," answered Mr. Keating, somewhat sharply.
"You see, I have something of a personal interest in saving money. I am a sort of stockholder in the Steel Corporation."
"You are?" exclaimed Mr. Keating, plainly showing his surprise.
"Yes, sir; my friend and myself hold a few thousand dollars of the company's stock, on which we are drawing dividends."
"May I ask where you got the stock?"
"The officials of the Cousin Jack Mine gave us some, and with money that Mr. Carrhart gave us we bought some more. We are going to load up on steel with the money we earn hereafter," answered the boy proudly.