Part 2 (1/2)
CHAPTER II.
A MORNING CALL.
”Well, Herr Superintendent, you are at your post already? It is one of difficulty and responsibility, especially for a man of your years, but I hope nevertheless that you are quite competent to fulfil its duties.”
The young man to whom President Nordheim addressed these words bowed respectfully, but in no wise humbly, as he replied, ”I am perfectly aware that I must show myself worthy of the distinction which I owe princ.i.p.ally to your influence in my behalf, Herr President.”
”Yes, there was much against you,” said Nordheim. ”First of all, your youth, which was regarded as an obstacle by those in authority, the rather that older and more experienced applicants look upon their rejection as an offence, and finally there was a decided opposition to my interference in your favour. I need not tell you that you must take all these things into account; they will make your position far from an easy one.”
”I am prepared for that,” Elmhorst replied, quietly, ”and I shall not yield a jot to the hostility of my fellow-workers. I have hitherto, Herr President, had no opportunity to express my grat.i.tude to you save by words; I trust I shall be able to show it by deeds at some future time.”
His answer seemed to please the president, and, far more graciously than was his wont, he signed to his favourite to sit down,--for such Elmhorst was already considered in circles that were quite conscious of the value of the president's preference.
The young superintendent-engineer, who, upon this official visit, wore, of course, the livery of the company, was extremely attractive in appearance, tall and slender, with regular, decided features, to which a complexion browned by the sun, and a dark beard and moustache, lent a manly air. Thick brown hair was parted above a broad brow which betokened keen intelligence, and the eyes would have been extremely fine had they not been so cold and grave in expression. They might observe keenly, and perhaps flash with pride and energy, but they could hardly light up with enthusiasm, or glow with the warmer impulses of the heart; there was no youthful fire in their dark depths. The man's manner was simple and calm, perfectly respectful to his superior, but without a shadow of servility.
”I am not quite satisfied with what I see here,” Nordheim began again.
”The men are taking a great deal of time for the preliminary work, and I doubt if we can begin the construction next year; there is no display of eagerness or energy. I begin to fear that we have made a mistake in putting ourselves into the hands of this engineer-in-chief.”
”He is considered a first-cla.s.s authority,” Elmhorst interposed.
”True, but he has grown old, physically and mentally, and such a work as this demands the full vigor of manhood,--a famous name is not all that is required. The undertaking depends greatly upon the conductors of the individual sections, and your section is one of the most important on the entire line.”
”The most important, I think. We have every possible natural obstacle to overcome here; I am afraid we shall not always succeed, even with the most exact calculations.”
”My opinion precisely; the post requires a man capable of calculating upon the unforeseen, and ready in an emergency to lend a hand himself.
I therefore nominated you, and carried through your appointment, in spite of all opposition; it is for you to justify my confidence in you.”
”I will justify it,” was the decided reply. ”You shall not find yourself mistaken in me, Herr President.”
”I am seldom deceived in men,” said Nordheim, with a searching glance at the young man's countenance, ”and of your technical capacity you have given proof sufficient. Your plan for bridging over the Wolkenstein chasm shows genius.”
”Herr President----”
”No need to disclaim my praise, I am usually very chary of it; as a former engineer I can judge of such matters, and I repeat, your plan shows genius.”
”And yet for a long time it was not only not accepted, it was entirely disregarded,” said Elmhorst, with some bitterness. ”Had I not conceived the happy idea of requesting a personal interview with you, at which I explained my plans to you, they never would have been accorded the slightest notice.”
”Possibly not; talent out at elbows, with difficulty finds a hearing; 'tis the way of the world, and one from which I, myself, suffered in my youth. But one conquers in the end, and you come off conqueror with your present position. I shall know how to maintain you in it if you do your duty. The rest is your own affair.”
He rose, and waved his hand in token of dismissal. Elmhorst also rose, but lingered a moment; ”May I make a request?”
”Certainly; what is it?”
”A few weeks ago I had the honour in the city of seeing Fraulein Alice Nordheim, and of being hastily presented to her as she was getting into the carriage with you. She is now, I hear, in Heilborn,--may I be permitted to inquire personally after her health?”
Nordheim was startled, and scanned the bold pet.i.tioner keenly. He was wont to have none save business relations with his officials, and was considered very exclusive in his choice of a.s.sociates, and here was this young man, only a simple engineer a short time previously, asking a favour which signified neither more nor less than the _entree_ of the house of the all-powerful president. It seemed to him a little strong; he frowned and said in a very cold tone, ”Your request is a rather bold one, Herr--Elmhorst.”
”I know it, but Fortune favours the bold.”
The words might have offended another patron, but not the man to whom they were spoken. Influential millionaire as he was, Nordheim had enough of flattery and servility, and despised both from the bottom of his soul. This quiet self-possession, not a whit destroyed by his presence, impressed him; he felt it was something akin to his own nature. 'Fortune favours the bold!' It had been his own maxim by which he had mounted the social ladder, and this Elmhorst looked as if he never would be content with remaining on its lower rounds. The frown vanished from his brow, but his eyes remained fixed upon the young engineer's face as if to read his very soul,--his most secret thoughts.