“How are you?” he observed. “Nice day!” The engineer nodded.

“You must be Mr. MacGregor, aren't you?”

“That's my name.”

“Mine is Halloran.”

MacGregor looked up, surprised.

“Yes, I am with Higginson & Company.”

MacGregor did not know what to make of this. Halloran, however, went right on.

“How do you like working for Bigelow?” And without leaving time to reply, he added: “Mean old humbug, ain't he?”

“What do you know about Bigelow?”

“Used to work for him myself. I had all I wanted of him. He isn't square. That's what brings me here. We need a good engineer, and Captain Craig tells me you are the best on the lakes. Is that so?”