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The Manager asked of the work if all was well. "Si, Senor." Then naturally Mr. Burk inquired for news of their countrymen, the strikers of Republic. The Mexicans, coming from the distant camp, could tell him nothing. They had heard little. Could Senor Burk tell them of the situation?
Scarcely had the train with Jefferson Worth aboard passed beyond the yard limits of Republic when the Manager of The King's Basin Land and Irrigation Company in Kingston was called to the telephone by the cashier of the bank in the Company's rival town. Ten minutes later a Western Union message in cipher went from Mr. Burk to James Greenfield in the city.
My sisters, who have lived all their lives in cities, will be timid in the country, and I therefore particularly desire the right kind of a man on the premises one who may be looked to as a protector in my absence. You understand, now, what kind of a person I want?" "Clearly." "This Burk would not suit." "I'm afraid not.
The president and manager could scarcely believe their ears. The engineer vanished. Jefferson Worth continued: "How long have you planned to be in the Basin this trip, Mr. Greenfield?" "This week only. I start on my inspection with Mr. Burk and Mr. Holmes in the morning." "I asked because I must go out in the morning for a few days, and I suppose you wish to close the deal before you leave."
As the engineer passed the open window of the office a moment later Burk called to him softly: "Oh, Holmes; I have an idea that may be helpful to you in the matter." Against his will the engineer paused and drew close to the window. "Well?" "Why don't you call on Miss Worth? Perhaps " But Willard Holmes fled.
"Nothing will be done publicly, of course, unless Parliament insists on an enquiry!" The speaker came towards the hall, and the valet sprang up from his bench, and stood ready to show the stranger out. Jost replied, and his accents were thick and unsteady. "Enquiry cannot be forced! The Marquis himself can burk any such attempt." "But if the King should insist?"
Burk looked at the engineer with the same thoughtful expression that had marked his face when he watched the wagon-load of supplies before the store across the street. "I have noticed that you show symptoms of slowly developing an interest in your job," he murmured. "You were at the river yesterday." "No; I was at Number Five Heading. Abe Lee will be in from the intake this afternoon.
"Naturally, I avoid 'Burk' and the Northwest Extension after dark even the scouts do that. But it wouldn't pay anybody to high-jack me. No. I go right in on the derrick floors and hobnob with the drillers, talk about their wives and their families, discuss croup and fishing jobs; sometimes they let me taste the sand and even show me the logs of their wells.
I cannot decide which way to turn to reach Fifth Avenue again. Will you help me, please?" When had Nimble Dick lost an opportunity for fun at the expense of another? Here was a chance for a jolly lark! A woman scared to death because she was on Green alley. What would she think of Burk Street! Suppose he should send her there?
"In this counthry, whin a man begins f'r to see sthrange things, an' hitch up cockroaches, an' think he's Vanderbilt dhrivin' a four-in-hand, we sind him to what me ol' frind Sleepy Burk calls th' brain college. But in Norway an' Sweden they sind him to th' North Pole, an' feed him to th' polar bears an' th' walruses.
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