It contained only four men--General Lodge, and Warburton, Rogers, and Rudd. All except the tall, white-haired Warburton were comfortable in shirt-sleeves, smoking with a table between them. The instant Neale entered their presence he divined that he faced a big moment in his life.
The chiefs manner, like Larry King’s when there was something in the wind, seemed quiet, easy, potential. His searching glance held warmth and a gleam that thrilled Neale. But he was ceremonious, not permitting himself his old familiarity before these dignitaries of the great railroad.
“Gentlemen, you remember Mr. Neale,” said Lodge.
Warburton vigorously shook Neale’s hand, and leaned back, after the manner of matured men, to look Neale over.
“Young man, I’m glad to meet you again,” he declared, in his big voice. “Remember him! Well, I do--though he’s thinner, older.”
“Small wonder,” interposed the chief. “He’s been doing a man’s work.”
“Neale, back there in Omaha you got sore--you quit us,” went on Warburton, reprovingly. “That was bad business. I cottoned to you--and I might have--But no matter. You’re with us again.”
“Mr. Warburton, I’m ashamed of that,” replied Neale, hastily. “But I was hot-headed... am so still, I fear.”
“So am I. So is Lodge. So is any man worth a damn,” replied the director.
“Mr. Neale, you look cool enough now,” observed Rogers, smiling. “Wish I was as wet and cool as you are. It’s hot--in this desert.”
Warburton took off his frock-coat. “You gentlemen aren’t going to have any the best of me... And now, Neale, tell us things.”
Neale looked at his papers and then at his chief. “For instance,” said Lodge, “tell us about Blake and Coffee.”
“Haven’t you seen them--heard from them?” inquired Neale.
“No. Henney has not, either. And they were his men.”
“Gentlemen, I’m afraid I lost my head in regard to them.”
“Explain, please,” said Warburton. “We will judge your conduct.”
It was a rather difficult moment for Neale, because his actions regarding the two engineers now appeared to have been the result of violent temper, rather than a dignified exercise of authority. But then as he remembered Blake’s offer and Coffee’s threat the heat thrilled along his nerves; and that stirred him to forceful expression.