Part 25 (1/2)

Slump?”

”I think you can,” answered Slump. ”You know Ike and his a.s.sociates, and maybe you can get track of their hang-out. I can't. Fairbanks,”

and the man's voice broke, ”it's killing my wife! It's a lot to ask of you, under the circ.u.mstances, but Forgan says you seem to have a knack of doing everything right. I want you to find my boy--I want you to try to prevail on him to come home. Will you?”

Ralph was a good deal moved as he thought of the stricken mother. He had small hopes of Ike Slump--smaller than ever, as he considered the manner of man his father was, but he answered promptly:

”I'll try, Mr. Slump.”

CHAPTER XVIII--A NAME TO CONJURE BY?

Big Denny came to where Ralph was putting the finis.h.i.+ng touches to one of the fast runners of the road about ten o'clock one morning.

n.o.body in the world enjoyed talk and gossip like the veteran watchman, as Ralph well knew, and it really pleased him to have his company, for among the driftwood of all his desultory confidences Denny usually produced some point interesting or enlightening.

On this especial occasion there was a zest to the old watchman's greeting of the young railroader that indicated he had something of more than ordinary interest to impart.

”By the way, Fairbanks,” he observed, ”I saw that rich old hunks, Farrington, this morning. He was down here.”

”At the roundhouse, you mean?” inquired Ralph, with some interest.

”Well, not exactly. He was over by the switch towers, met Forgan, and had quite a talk with him. Thought I'd post you.”

”Why, what about?” asked Ralph.

”He'll be after you, next.”

”Not until the first of next month, when the interest is due, I fancy,”

said Ralph. ”I do not think Mr. Farrington has any interest in us outside of his semi-annual interest.”

”He'll be nosing around, see if he isn't!” predicted Denny oracularly.

”I've got a tip to give you, Fairbanks. I got the point yesterday.

There's some talk of running a switch over to Bloomdale. If they do, they'll have to condemn a right of way, along where you live. Word to the wise, eh? nuff said!” and Denny departed, with a significant wink.

Ralph wondered if there was any real basis to Denny's intimation. He fancied it was only one of the rumors constantly floating around about prospective railroad improvements.

That evening, however, Ralph received a suggestion that put him on his guard, if nothing more.

He had gone down town to get some nails for Van, who was building a new chicken coop, when he met Grif Farrington.

”Just looking for you,” declared Grif. ”I say, Fairbanks, the old man is anxious to see you.”

”Your uncle wants to see me?” repeated Ralph incredulously.

”Right away. Asked me to find you and tell you. Business, he says, and important. You couldn't run up to the house now, could you?” he added.

Ralph hesitated--he was suspicious of old Gasper Farrington, and he had no business with him, for it was his mother's province to attend to anything concerning their money dealings, and he did not feel warranted in interfering.