While the head of the accident department was closeted with the general superintendent in an adjoining room, giving him the details of the disaster, Steve was busily engaged in making out his report, which he dictated to a stenographer. Bob Jarvis stood on the other side of the stenographer, his eyes fixed on Steve as he made his report. Bob, listening intently, was getting points for his own work.
Having completed his report, Rush got up, stretched himself and looked at Bob.
"I'm through with this job," announced Steve, with emphasis.
The Iron Boy turned and found himself looking into the face of the general superintendent.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Keating," apologized Steve, reddening a little.
"It strikes me that it has been rather the opposite. You certainly have excitement enough, don't you?"
"Rush's going to get his," mumbled the telephone operator, coming to life for the moment. "I shouldn't care to be in his shoes just at present."
"Sit down, Rush. I will confess that I am rather surprised at the remark that I just overheard you make."
Mr. Keating was a man well past middle age. His hair was gray, his bristling mustache of the same shade, gray, twinkling eyes adding greatly to the general effect of the face. But it was the square-set jaw and the firm set of the lips that revealed the iron in the make up of the superintendent. All this Steve Rush saw at a glance and understood.
"Perhaps I should not have been quite so outspoken," admitted the lad. "That is a fault of mine."
"That is not always a fault. Most honest men are outspoken, my lad. But to return to the subject of our discussion. I was in hopes you would like the place we have given you. It is an important position and difficult to fill. On the other hand, you have shown remarkable aptitude for the work. You have done better in it than any other man we ever had."
"All the more reason why I wish you would stay. You are not thinking of leaving the employ of the company, are you?"
"Nothing is the matter, sir, except that I don't particularly enjoy being the trouble man. It is really my business to get others into trouble, and----"
"What is more, Mr. Keating, I wish to learn the real business of iron and steel making."