"Certain?"
"Yes. Some one has spilled wine on the table; but his breath proves that he hasn't had any. It's merely that he's worn out—fallen asleep. Poor boy!"
"'Poor boy'?" repeated Mrs. Gantry, quizzing her brother-in-law through her lorgnette.
"H'm. Why not?" he demanded. "I was most unjust to him. I've been compelled to reverse my judgment of him on every point that was against him. As you know, he refused everything I offered in the way of money or position. He has proved that his intentions are absolutely honorable,—and now he has proved himself a great engineer. By his solution of the Zariba Dam problem, he has virtually put half a million, dollars into my pocket."
"I understood that you turned that project over to some company."
"The Coville Company—of which I own over ninety-five per cent of the stock. He would quit if he knew it, and I can't afford to lose him. The solution of the dam is a wonderful feat of engineering. That's what's the matter with him now. He worked at it to the point of exhaustion—and then for him to come here, already worn out!"
"I'm sure he was quite welcome to stay away," put in the lady.
Mr. Leslie frowned, and went on: "Griffith tells me that he can stand
any amount of outdoor work, but that office work runs him down fast.
But I'll soon fix that. We arranged to put him in charge of the
Michamac Bridge."
"In charge? How will you get rid of Lafayette? You've grumbled so often about his having a contract to remain there as chief builder, because he drew the bridge plans."
"Copied them, you should say."