"That is only because we regard the method we are going to use as being mainly the concern of the A., G.& N.M.No offense meant, sir, either." "No offense taken," replied the late questioner.
Tom had already, within a few minutes, made an excellent impression on the majority of these Arizona men present.
As to the other newcomer, who had lately spoken so warmly of the Colthwaite Company, he was now silent, apparently greatly absorbed in a three-days-old newspaper that he had picked up.

Yet he managed to cast more than one covert glance at the boys.
"I have heard both of you young men spoken of most warmly, as real engineers who are going to solve the problem of the Man-killer," declared Clarence Farnsworth, as, alighting from the barber's chair, he strolled past the pair.
"Thank you," nodded Tom, with all his usual simple good nature.
"If you make a successful job of it is will be a splendid thing for you in your professional careers," continued Farnsworth, rather aimlessly.
"Undoubtedly," nodded Harry.
The stranger who had held so much converse with Jim Duff was through with the barber at last.

Though the day was scorchingly hot in this desert town, the stranger stepped along briskly until he had reached the hotel.
The Mansion House would scarcely have measured up to the hotel standards of large cities.

Yet it was a very good hotel, indeed, for this part of Arizona, and the proprietor did all in his power for the comfort of his guests.
As the stranger ascended the steps to the broad porch he caught sight of Jim Duff, approaching the doorway from the inside.
"Oh, how do you do ?" was Duff's greeting.

"Hot, isn't it ?" "Very," nodded the stranger.
"I usually have my luncheon in my room, which is large and airy," continued Duff.