Ford spoke to his horses and grimaced as one who swallows bitter herbs.

“I wonder what I’ve been doing now—­or leaving undone?” he queried.

He was not kept long in suspense.  When they drove up, the president was still standing, balancing himself with a hand on the driver’s seat in front.  His thin face was working nervously and the aggressive chin whiskers moved up and down like an accusing finger.

“Dear me!” said Alicia, under her breath; “Uncle Sidney is really angry, this time!  What could have hap—­” She glanced up at the mine buildings perched above the roadway and smothered a little cry.  Ford’s eyes followed hers.  All across the slab-built shaft-house and the lean-to ore sheds was stretched a huge canvas sign.  And in letters of bright blue, freshly painted and two feet high, ran the boastful legend: 

     THE LITTLE ALICIA MINE

     THE ONLY PAYING PRODUCES IN THE DISTRICT

     Stuart Ford & John Grigsby, Props.

The white-haired old man standing in the leading buckboard was trembling with righteous indignation.  Pointing a shaking finger at the incriminating sign, he broke out in a storm of accusation.

“So, Mr. Ford!  This is why you changed the route of the extension and added twelve miles to its length!” he raved.  “This explains why you suddenly found the shorter route impracticable!  Answer me sir:  when did you become interested in this mine?”

There was a little stir of consternation among the listeners; and it did not help matters that the man on horseback ambled up at the moment and drew rein behind the doctor’s vehicle.  Ford’s hands were gripping the reins until the stiff leathers were crumpled into strings; but it was Alicia’s touch on his arm that enabled him to reply coldly: 

“It was something over two months ago, I believe.  I can give you the exact date when we reach Copah, though you will permit me to say that it is none of your business.”

Mr. Colbrith exploded like a hastily fired bomb.

“I propose to make it some of my business!  Was it before or after your purchase here that you decided upon the change of route?  Answer me that, Mr. Ford!”

Ford wheeled his bronchos and closed the shouting gap.

“Sit down, Mr. Colbrith,” he said half-menacingly.  “If it is your purpose to humiliate me before your guests, I shall drive on and leave you.”

“You don’t answer my question; you can not answer it!  You instructed your assistant to change the line of this railroad after you had bought this mine!”

[Illustration:  “Answer me, sir!  When did you become interested in this mine?”]

“And if I did?”

“You did.  And by so doing, Mr. Ford, you diverted the company’s money to your own personal ends as wrongfully as if you had put your hands into the treasurer’s strong-box.  In other words, you became what you have accused others of being—­a common grafter!”