"That's right! I suppose I ought to have kept my mouth shut, but it has a way of flying open when it shouldn't. He is either a fool or a crook, and his mine is nothing but a prospect. I couldn't resist telling him so."
"And his railroad?"
Appleton hesitated. "Oh, it's as good a route as the Trust's. I worked on the two surveys. Personally I think both outfits are crazy to try to build in from here. I had to tell Gordon that, too. You see I'm a volunteer talker. I should have been born with a stutter—it would have saved me a lot of trouble."
O'Neil smiled. "You may talk all you please in my employ, so long as you do your work. Now get some sleep, for we have a hard trip. And by the way"—the youth paused with a hand on the doorknob—"don't go looking for Denny."
Appleton's face hardened stubbornly.
"I can't promise that, sir."
"Oh yes you can! You must! Remember, you're working for me, and you're under orders. I can't have the expedition held up on your account."
The engineer's voice was heavy with disappointment, but a vague admiration was growing in his eyes as he agreed:
"Very well, sir. I suppose my time is yours. Good night."
When he had gone "Happy Tom" inquired: