Part 17 (1/2)

”Ninety days! We can't do a year's work in ninety days, and in winter time at that!” Lee cried.

”Of course not,” was the answer. ”But it gives you time to argue with 'em and fight this thing. My advice is to go see this Board at once.

Maybe if you explain the situation, they'll call off this fellow Rodriguez.”

Bryant, however, remained depressed. Clearly the officials had no liberty of action in the matter.

”I don't know that it will do any good,” he said, ”but it's all that's left to do. Pack your grip, Pat; I want you to go with me. Leave Morgan in charge. Can you start in half an hour?”

The ride to Kennard was made at high speed, and on the way the men did little talking. Both wanted to weigh the disaster confronting the project. In town they sought out McDonnell, who promised to have his attorney go into the matter at once and who appeared very grave at the news. Then they returned to the hotel to await their train.

Here Lee was surprised to encounter Ruth in company of Gretzinger, Charlie Menocal, and a Kennard girl with whom he was not acquainted.

Ruth and Imogene, he learned, had come down the day before with the New Yorker and were staying at the McDonnell home.

”We're just roaming around and amusing ourselves,” Ruth said, slipping her arm within Lee's. ”Come on and join us.”

Lee smilingly shook his head.

”Can't possibly do it,” said he. ”I'm leaving for the capital soon.”

Ruth drew him aside.

”But give me ten minutes of your time before you go, will you, dear?”

she asked. ”Come, we can go into one of the parlours where we'll be alone.” And when they were seated there, she continued, ”I know why you're going to Santa Fe. Charlie said he understood you were involved in some new legal trouble and that you might lose your whole project.

Mr. Gretzinger laughed at him and so did I, for we knew it couldn't be true. But it's bothering you, I see; your face is anxious. I hope you'll clear up the horrid matter, whatever it is, while you're gone.”

Then after a pause, she remarked, ”Perhaps Mr. Gretzinger could be of a.s.sistance to you.”

”Not in this matter,” said Lee.

”He has a great deal of influence, especially in the East.”

”But this is the West--and I don't care much for Gretzinger, besides,”

he stated.

”So he says. More than once he has wished you would be more friendly.

Isn't it a little inconsiderate of you, Lee, to hold him off at arm's length, especially when he's here as representative of the bondholders? He has a vital interest in the ca.n.a.l and its success.

Really, I think he might be of great help if you'd permit. And it would be of great advantage to us in the future, his friends.h.i.+p and that of the men behind him, for they are wealthy and influential.

That's one reason why you ought to cultivate him, Lee.”

”Go on,” said he, as she paused.

”Well, I thought we should discuss the matter. I'm of the opinion that you misunderstand him. You'll not deny that he's a man of ability.”

”No--though I know little of him.”

”He is, though, Lee. And an engineer of high standing, too, and of experience. Wouldn't it be wise to consult him a little more than you do? He has talked to me at times about the project and has, I believe, ideas you could use. For instance, he says that if you made certain changes in the ca.n.a.l there would be a considerable saving of money, by which the stockholders would benefit, you among them. He says that if in certain places wood were used instead of concrete it would mean thousands of dollars in your pocket.”