“Are you going to build one in Alaska?”

“Possibly!  There seems to be an opportunity there—­but Dan has probably told you as much about that as I am at liberty to tell.  He’s been over the ground.”

She pursed her lips at him.  “You know very well, or you ought to know, that Dan wouldn’t tell me a thing while he’s working for you.  He hasn’t said a word, but—­Is that why you came in frowning like a thunder-cloud?  Did you think he set me on your trail?”

“I think I do know that he wouldn’t do anything really indiscreet.”  Murray regarded her with growing favor.  There was something about this boyish girl which awakened the same spontaneous liking he had felt upon his first meeting with her brother.  He surprised her by confessing boldly: 

“I am building a railroad—­to the interior of Alaska.  I’ve been east and raised the money, my men are here; we’ll begin operations at once.”

“That’s what Mr. Gordon told me about his scheme, but he hasn’t done much, so far.”

“My line will put his out of business, also that of the Trust, and the various wildcat promoters.”

“Where does your road start from?”

“The town of Omar, on King Phillip Sound, near Hope and Cortez.  It will run up the Salmon River and past the glaciers which those other men refused to tackle.”

“If I weep, it is for joy,” said the girl.  “I don’t like Curtis Gordon.  I call him Simon Legree.”

“Why?”

“Well, he impresses me as a real old-time villain—­with the riding-boots and the whip and all that.  ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ is my favorite play, it’s so funny.  This is a big story you’ve given me, Mr. O’Neil.”

“I realize that.”

“It has the biggest news value of anything Alaskan which has ‘broken’ for some time.  I think you are a very nice person to interview, after all.”

“Wait!  I don’t want you to use a word of what I’ve told you.”

Miss Appleton’s clearly penciled brows rose inquiringly.  “Then why didn’t you keep still?”

“You asked me.  I told you because you are Dan Appleton’s sister.  Nevertheless, I don’t want it made public.”

“Let’s sit down,” said the girl with a laugh.  “To tell you the truth, I didn’t come here to interview you for my paper.  I’m afraid I’ve tried your patience awfully.”  A faint flush tinged her clear complexion.  “I just came, really, to get some news of Dan.”

“He’s perfectly well and happy, and you’ll see him in a few days.”  Miss Appleton nodded.  “So he wrote, but I couldn’t wait!  Now won’t you tell me all about him—­not anything about his looks and his health, but little unimportant things that will mean something.  You see, I’m his mother and his sister and his sweetheart.”

O’Neil did as he was directed and before long found himself reciting the details of that trying trip up the Salmon River.  He told her how he had sent the young engineer out to run the preliminary survey for the new railroad, and added:  “He is in a fair way to realize his ambition of having you with him all the time.  I’m sure that will please you.”