'for a time'; but Mac wouldn't drink with him. No, sir, he couldn't
be tempted. On the contrary, he told the tempter that I had promised
to give him back his job if he remained on the water wagon for one
year; he was resolved to win back his job and his self-respect."

"I know what your plan is," Ogilvy interrupted. "You're going to ask
Duncan McTavish to waylay Pennington on the road at some point where
it runs through the timber, kidnap him, and hold him until we have
had time to clear the crossing and cut Pennington's tracks.

"We will do nothing of the sort," Buck continued seriously. "Listen,
now, to Father's words of wisdom. This railroad-game is an old one to
me; I've fought at crossings before now, and whether successful or
defeated, I have always learned something in battle. Didn't you hear
me tell that girl and her villainous avuncular relative last night
that I had another ace up my kimono?"

Bryce nodded.

"That was not brag, old dear. I had the ace, and this morning I
played it--wherefore in my heart there is that peace that passeth
understanding--particularly since I have just had a telegram
informing me that my ace took the odd trick."

He opened a drawer in Bryce's desk and reached for the cigars he knew
were there.

"Not at all a bad cigar for ten cents. However--you will recall that
from the very instant we decided to cut in that jump-crossing, we
commenced to plan against interference by Pennington; in consequence