Only a coward would pack a pistol day by day without needing it." So the matter was dropped for the time being.
At the hotel Tom and Harry went to their accustomed seats in the dining room.

Their food was brought and the two young engineers fell to work cheerfully.

Just then a well-dressed man of perhaps thirty years entered the dining, room, spoke to one of the waiters, and came over to the engineers' table.
"Messrs.

Reade and Hazelton ?" he inquired pleasantly.
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"May I make myself known ?" asked the stranger.

"My name is Danes--Frank Danes." Harry in turn gave his own name and that of Tom.
"I wonder if you would think it intruding if I invited myself to join you at this table ?" the stranger went on.
"By no means," Tom responded cordially.