Supposing the superintendent should even now be asking for it and Ben should be obliged to confess that it was not in his possession. What would be the result? Of what might not poor Ben be suspected? He had not dreamed of such a complication as this. Why had he been such a fool as to insist upon having that key anyhow? After all, it was none of his business to try to guard the company’s property in that way. If they trusted Ben and he was unworthy, that was their own affair. Now what was to be done?
So occupied was Myles with this train of thought that his companion asked him a question unheeded; and, thinking it had not been heard above the noise of the cars, he repeated it.
“I beg your pardon,” said Myles, starting from his reverie, “did you speak?”
“I only asked if you ever met the division superintendent?”
“No, I never did. But I have got the key to his safe, and was wondering how I could return it most quickly.”
“That is curious,” said the captain. “Was it intrusted to your keeping for fear lest the strikers might get hold of it?”
“Yes—that is, not exactly. It was intrusted to my keeping, but not wholly on account of the strikers,” replied Myles, with some confusion. “You see, I can’t tell you how it came into my possession without breaking a promise, but if it is not returned at once I am afraid trouble will result.”
“Does not the division superintendent know that you have it?” asked the captain, with an air of surprise.
“No; that’s just it; and I wouldn’t have him know it if it could be helped.”
The captain was more than ever puzzled by this, but was far too polite to give utterance to his thoughts.