Watski rose, full of importance.
"One of the men told me he heard this fellow Rush tell the other man to turn the hose on and cool the blamed pile off quick."
"He lies!"
Steve uttered the words quietly but incisively.
"Silence!" thundered Mr. McNaughton. "I'll have you turned over to the Iron and Steel Police if I hear any more of your impudence."
"I had no intention of being impudent to you. I simply said the man lies, and I repeat it. He knows no such order was ever given by me, and he knows that no one told him any such thing," added Rush boldly.
Kalinski's face was a study. It turned from red to white in rapid succession. The boss's fists were tightly clenched and he seemed to be trying to regain his voice, which had suddenly deserted him.
"Sit down!" commanded the superintendent, projecting a finger at Kalinski. "Rush, you be careful that you do not go too far. I am not inclined to stand much of your impudence."
"Mr. McNaughton, am I to be accused of something I did not do, and then not be allowed to say anything in my defense?" demanded the boy.
"I will be the judge of what you did and did not do. Foley, you say several of the men saw these two talking together—Rush and Jarvis, just prior to the explosion."