Builders throughout the world took equal risks and overcame as great obstacles every day; it was the measure of their genius and will.  Engineers elsewhere crushed a way through earth and rock to their goals, and under adverse circumstances, with no thought of failure.  Were there not men who would unhesitatingly take hold of this project now and complete it in the time allotted?  Yes, any number.  For the very same reason that he had launched the scheme.  Because they had the ability, because they had the will, because, most of all, they had faith—­faith in their own powers.

Lee went back to Pat Carrigan.

“We shall build it,” said he.  “And in ninety days.”

The contractor rose.

“You talk like a real ‘chief’ now, Bryant,” he replied.  “I was waiting for that.  Come along; we’ll start burning the wires.”

CHAPTER XV

Louise Graham, entering the dining car for breakfast, received a surprise at beholding Lee Bryant half way along the aisle at one of the smaller tables.  He laid down the spoon with which he was delving into a half of a cantaloupe and got quickly to his feet to greet her.

“So you’re home again,” he said, after shaking hands.  “Your father told me when I met him that you were in the East.  Will you share my table?”

“I use ‘shopping’ as a pretext for a jaunt now and then,” she laughed, when they were seated.  “Once in a while the lure of city dissipations seizes me; I had a week in Washington and three in New York with friends, which will satisfy me for a few months.  You were just starting work on your project when I went away.  Are you making good progress?”

“Very.  But I’ll make still better from now on.  It’s a case with me of do or be ‘done’, of dig out or be buried.  I may as well be open about it, for everyone will know presently, anyway.  The project must be completed in ninety days.”

“Ninety days?  Great heavens!”

“That’s what I said, too,” Lee stated, with a smile.  “Several times, in fact.  There is an old law, it seems, that enables interested parties to hold a stop-watch on me.”

“And what’s the penalty if you fail to finish the work in those three months?”

“Cancellation of my water right.”

“Cancellation?  Surely not.”

“I tried to convince the Land and Water Board of that in Santa Fe, but made no headway.”

“How outrageous!” she exclaimed.

The waiter at her elbow recalled her to the requirements of the moment.  Still with a trace of colour in her cheeks, the result of her indignation, she scanned the menu and wrote out her order.

“The thing is so utterably unreasonable,” she resumed, more calmly.  “Why did they let you start if they proposed afterward to hang a sword above your head?”

“The Board was ignorant of this law, as was everybody else, until it was brought to light by the applicant for cancellation,” said Lee, “a certain Rodriguez, of Rosita.”