agent, and a superintendent of motive power.  Operating the line as a branch of the P. S-W System, we can simplify the organization.  We have consolidated the auditing and traffic departments with our Colorado-lines head-quarters at Denver.  This will leave you with only the operating, telegraph, train-service, and engineering departments to handle from Angels.  With one exception, your authority will be absolute; you will hire and discharge as you see fit, and there will be no appeal from your decision.”

“That applies to my own departments—­the operating, telegraph, train-service, and engineering; but how about the motive power?” asked the new incumbent.

Ford threw down the desk-knife, with which he had been sharpening a pencil, with a little gesture indicative of displeasure.

“There lies the exception, and I wish it didn’t.  Gridley, the master-mechanic, will be nominally under your orders, of course; but if it should come to blows between you, you couldn’t fire him.  In the regular routine he will report to the Colorado-lines superintendent of motive power at Denver.  But in a quarrel with you he could make a still longer arm and reach the P. S-W. board of directors in New York.”

“How is that?” inquired Lidgerwood.

“It’s a family affair.  He is a widower, and his wife was a sister of the Van Kensingtons.  He got his job through the family influence, and he’ll hold it in the same way.  But you are not likely to have any trouble with him.  He is a brute in his own peculiar fashion; but when it comes to handling shopmen and keeping the engines in service, he can’t be beat.”

“That is all I shall ask of him,” said the new superintendent.  “Anything else?” looking at his watch.

“Yes, there is one other thing.  I spoke of Hallock, the man you will find holding down the head-quarters office at Angels.  He was Cumberley’s chief clerk, and long before Cumberley resigned he was the real superintendent of the Red Butte Western in everything but the title, and the place on the pay-roll.  Naturally he thought he ought to be considered when we climbed into the saddle, and he has already written to President Brewster, asking for the promotion in fact.  He happens to be a New Yorker—­like Gridley; and, again like Gridley, he has a friend at court.  Magnus knows him, and he recommended him for the superintendency when Mr. Brewster referred the application to me.  I couldn’t agree, and I had to turn him down.  I am telling you this so you’ll be easy with him—­as easy as you can.  I don’t know him personally, but if you can keep him on——­”

“I shall be only too glad to keep him, if he knows his business and will stay,” was Lidgerwood’s reply.  Then, with another glance at his watch, “Shall we go up-town and get dinner?  Afterward you can give me your notion in the large about the future extension of the road across the second Timanyoni, and I’ll order out the service-car and an engine and go to my place.  A man can die but once; and maybe I shall contrive to live long enough to set a few stakes for some better fellow to drive.  Let’s go.”