Blackton had come in from the work-end, dust-covered and jubilant.

“I’m glad you folks have returned,” he cried, beaming with enthusiasm as he gripped Aldous by the hand.  “The last rock is packed, and to-night we’re going to shake the earth.  We’re going to blow up Coyote Number Twenty-seven, and you won’t forget the sight as long as you live!”

Not until Joanne had disappeared into the house with Peggy Blackton did Aldous feel that he had descended firmly upon his feet once more into a matter-of-fact world.  MacDonald was waiting with the horses, and Blackton was pointing over toward the steel workers, and was saying something about ten thousand pounds of black powder and dynamite and a mountain that had stood a million years and was going to be blown up that night.

“It’s the best bit of work I’ve ever done, Aldous—­that and Coyote Number Twenty-eight.  Peggy was going to touch the electric button to Twenty-seven to-night, but we’ve decided to let Miss Gray do that, and Peggy’ll fire Twenty-eight to-morrow night.  Twenty-eight is almost ready.  If you say so, the bunch of us will go over and see it in the morning.  Mebby Miss Gray would like to see for herself that a coyote isn’t only an animal with a bushy tail, but a cavern dug into rock an’ filled with enough explosives to play high jinks with all the navies in the world if they happened to be on hand at the time.  What do you say?”

“Fine!” said Aldous.

“And Peggy wants me to say that it’s a matter of only common, every-day decency on your part to make yourself our guest while here,” added the contractor, stuffing his pipe.  “We’ve got plenty of room, enough to eat, and a comfortable bed for you.  You’re going to be polite enough to accept, aren’t you?”

“With all my heart,” exclaimed Aldous, his blood tingling at the thought of being near Joanne.  “I’ve got some business with MacDonald and as soon as that’s over I’ll domicile myself here.  It’s bully of you, Blackton!  You know——­”

“Why, dammit, of course I know!” chuckled Blackton, lighting his pipe.  “Can’t I see, Aldous?  D’ye think I’m blind?  I was just as gone over Peggy before I married her.  Fact is, I haven’t got over it yet—­and never will.  I come up from the work four times a day regular to see her, and if I don’t come I have to send up word I’m safe.  Peggy saw it first.  She said it was a shame to put you off in that cabin with Miss Gray away up here.  I don’t want to stick my nose in your business, old man, but—­by George!—­I congratulate you!  I’ve only seen one lovelier woman in my life, and that’s Peggy.”

He thrust out a hand and pumped his friend’s limp arm, and Aldous felt himself growing suddenly warm under the other’s chuckling gaze.

“For goodness sake don’t say anything, or act anything, old man,” he pleaded.  “I’m—­just—­hoping.”

Blackton nodded with prodigious understanding in his eyes.

“Come along when you get through with MacDonald,” he said.  “I’m going in and clean up for to-night’s fireworks.”