“Joe thought he could bring Mr. Burmaster around to his way of thinking about the Huntley Dam.”
“How stupid everyone was,” Louise sighed. “If it hadn’t been for Mrs. Burmaster’s stubbornness, her husband might have given the money to save the dam. Then this dreadful disaster would have been prevented.”
Penny nodded absently. Her gaze was fixed upon a stout man just ahead who wore climbing irons on his heavy shoes. She nudged Louise.
“See that fellow?”
“Why, yes. What about him?”
“I’m sure he’s a telephone lineman. Probably he’s working on the line by the railroad.”
“Probably,” Louise agreed, without much interest.
“Come on,” Penny urged, quickening pace. “Let’s talk to him.”
The girls overtook the workman and fell into step. Penny questioned him and readily learned that he was working close by at the washed-out railroad bridge.
“We’re aiming to shoot a wire across the river,” the man volunteered. “It’s going to be one tough little job.”