For a moment Hal could hardly believe the evidence of his eyesight. Edward in North Valley! Then, turning the card over, he read, in his brother's familiar handwriting, “I am at Cartwright's house. I must see you. The matter concerns Dad. Come instantly.”
Fear leaped into Hal's heart. What could such a message mean?
He turned quickly to the committee and explained. “My father's an old man, and had a stroke of apoplexy three years ago. I'm afraid he may be dead, or very ill. I must go.”
“It's a trick!” cried Wauchope excitedly.
“No, not possibly,” answered Hal. “I know my brother's handwriting. I must see him.”
“Well,” declared the other, “we'll wait. We'll not see Cartwright until you get back.”
Hal considered this. “I don't think that's wise,” he said. “You can do what you have to do just as well without me.”
“But I wanted you to do the talking!”
“No,” replied Hal, “that's your business, Wauchope. You are the president of the union. You know what the men want, as well as I do; you know what they complain of. And besides, there's not going to be any need of talking with Cartwright. Either he's going to grant our demands or he isn't.”
They discussed the matter back and forth. Mary Burke insisted that they were pulling Hal away just at the critical moment! He laughed as he answered. She was as good as any man when it came to an argument. If Wauchope showed signs of weakening, let her speak up!