If it has a bad name in the
market that is more because of slander by the Montagne Lewis
crowd than from any real cause. I've found that out this
morning."
"Faithful Nero!" chuckled Tom. "Aren't going to let the Swifts
get done, are you?"
"Not if I can help it," declared Ned Newton emphatically.
A clerk brought Mr. Bartholomew into the private office and he
was introduced to Newton. If he considered the financial manager
of the Swift Construction Company very young for his responsible
position, after he had read the contract he felt considerable
respect for Ned Newton.
"You've got me here, young man, hard and fast," Mr. Bartholomew
said. "If I was inclined to want to wriggle out, I see no chance
of it. But I don't. You have set forth here exactly my meaning
and intent. I want your best efforts in this matter, Mr. Swift,
and if you give them to me I'll foot the bill as agreed."
"You've got me interested, I confess," said Tom. "By the way,
were your friends following you when you came here this morning?"
"My friends?" repeated Mr. Bartholomew, for a moment puzzled.
"The spy that you mentioned," said Tom, smiling.
"That Andy O'Malley?" exclaimed Bartholomew. "Haven't spotted
him today."
"He spotted me last night," said Tom grimly, and proceeded to
relate what had happened.
"You fooled 'em that time, young man!" exclaimed the railroad
president, with satisfaction.
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