"Did you find out what I asked you to?"
"Yes; and I don't know whether I ought to tell you or not. I'm still
drawing my salary from the railroad, you know."
"And you are not sure that I am drawing mine?" she laughed. "Don't you
remember when Mr. McVickar gave me this?" touching the little
jewel-incrusted watch on her shoulder.
"Yes, I remember; also I remember that this is the first time I have
ever seen you wearing it." And then: "I'd never try to bribe you in the
wide, wide world, Mrs. Blount."
"Why not?"
"For two reasons: you are too much in love with your husband; and, if
you took a notion to fly the track, a king's ransom wouldn't be big
enough to make you stay bribed."
"I am flattered, I'm sure; but I'm still in the dark about the thing you
have come here to tell me," she reminded him.
"I presume you may as well know it, though I can tell you that it has
been kept the darkest kind of a secret. Mr. McVickar came west to-day
from Bald Butte in a new gasolene unit-car which is supposed to be
making a trial trip over the road. The car is supposed to have a bunch
of the Chicago officials on board, though not half a dozen men on this
division know that the vice-president is the only official, and that
the others are clerks and telegraphers."
"Go on," said the small person quickly.
"That gasolene special is lost.
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