"You can see that one of them did," answered the foreman gruffly.
"I am asking you. No matter what I see. How did it happen to break?"
"Too much strain on it, I suppose."
Rush picked his way gingerly around to the other side, for the ground was covered with metal that in some cases was still red hot. Reaching a point where he could do so without being burned he poked the broken chain about with an iron bar that he had picked up, until he got the break where he could see it more plainly. There was a dull mark across the break, that seemed especially to interest him. The dull mark extended clear to the surface of the link.
"Photographer, I want a picture, first of this break in the chain, and next a general view of the upset ladle and chain. You had better use a flash light on the link so your picture will show the break plainly."
"Say, what do you want to do that for?" demanded the foreman.
"What do I want to do that for?" repeated the boy, turning sharply.
"Yes, no need to give a fellow away like that. It was an accident."
"Bill Foley, what do you take me for? I'm not that kind of man. I would help you if I could, but I am paid for gathering all the facts whenever an accident occurs. You are the foreman of this open-hearth, and you ought to be the very first one to demand an honest investigation."