“Won’t the five hundred keep tab?” asked John.
The man’s smile was wintry. “The C. B. and L. did better,” he said.
“Yes—they knew what they were paying for—they thought they knew. The ‘R. and Q.’ does n’t.”
The man stirred a little. “All right. It’s a go.” He took up his pen and tried the nib on his thumb nail. His eyes were fixed on it. “Cheaper to fire me,” he said, dipping the pen into the ink.
“Do you think so?” said John. “Wait a minute, Harrington.”
The pen paused.
“The ‘R. and Q.’ will need straight men the next six months—men that will stand by!”
The man nodded. He was not looking np. “I have an idea, somehow—” The young man hesitated. Then he laughed out. “I’ve watched you, you know,” he said frankly, “I ’ve had an eye on you.”
“Two of them,” said Harrington.
“Yes, and I ’ve come to think you may be one of the best men the road’s got.”