“You might as well dismiss all such thoughts,” Reade counseled. “I tell you, Harry, we've proved that our principle is sound. Now, we will go ahead and finish the job. When we go away from here I, for one, shall feel certain that the Man-killer must behave for all time to come. Harry, there's a limit to the shifting tendency of a quicksand, and to-day's test proves to me that we've found it. We've won. I wish I were as sure of a dozen other things as I am that we've won out here to-day.”
“All right, then,” smiled Hazelton. “You're a smarter engineer than I am, Tom, old fellow. If you're satisfied, then I'm bound to be, for I'll back your judgment in engineering against my own.”
“That's rather more praise, Harry, than I expect or wish,” Reade rejoined soberly. “But I don't see how the Man-killer can ever again assert himself against the A. G. & N. M.'s roadbed.”
“Oh, I'm only an old croaker, I know,” Harry confessed. “I've got a blue streak on to-night. Or else it's a fit of apprehension about something or other. I feel as if--”
Outside two shots rang suddenly out, to be followed by a dozen swift, scattering reports.
“Mr. Reade! They--” began a voice outside, then stopped abruptly.
Tom hustled on his clothing again with a speed that seemed to partake of magic. Then, with Harry close upon his heels, he rushed to the door, jerking it open.
“Just the pair we want!” snarled a voice that proceeded from behind a mask.
A dozen masked men pressed into the room. Tom and Harry put their fists into instant action, but it availed them nothing.
In a twinkling they were borne to the floor. At lightning speed both were rolled over and bound.
From the tents of the laborers, beyond hoarse voices sounded as the men were awakened by the shots.
“Get back there, you idiots!” commanded a voice outside. “If you don't, you'll think that a Gatling gun factory has blown up about your ears.”
Reports rang out sharply as a dozen revolver shots were fired into the air.
Now, dazed with the suddenness of the attack, Reade and Hazelton were dragged into the open.
Their two night watchmen, who had gone down bravely, now lay wounded on the ground, their weapons snatched from them.
“Hoist 'em along, boys,” ordered a gruff voice.