"Oh, of course!" cried the contractor eagerly.
"Very good," Tom went on. "You needn't fear that I'll help the other fellows. Now to get down to business. I must see some samples of this rock in order to know what kind of explosive force is needed to rend it."
"I have some in New York," went on the contractor. "I'll have it sent to you at once. I would have brought it, only it is too heavy to carry easily, and I was not sure I could engage you."
"Did that fellow—Waddington, I believe you called him—get away from you?" asked Mr. Damon.
"Clean away," the contractor answered. "He was a better runner than I."
"It doesn't matter much," Tom said. "He didn't hear anything that would benefit him, and I'll give my men orders to be on the lookout for him. What sort of fellow is he, Mr. Titus?"
The contractor described the eavesdropper, and Mr. Damon exclaimed:
"Bless my turkey wish-bone! I'm sure I passed that chap when I was riding over to see you a while ago, Tom."
"You did?"
"Yes, on the highway. He inquired the way to your place. But there was nothing strange in that, since you employ a number of men, and I thought this one was coming to look for work. I can't say I liked his appearance, though."