Page:Bound to be an Electrician.djvu/141

Rh Then he looked up and espied the young electrician.

"What, you here!" he cried, springing to his feet. "Didn't I tell you to clear out?"

"Yes, Mr. Buckman, you did," replied Franklin. "But I am not going until you give me some reason for my discharge."

"See here, Bell, I am no fool, although perhaps you thought I was when I let the matter of that broken machine pass. I caught you fairly this time, and you know it. Now, I do not wish to quarrel with you; my time is too valuable for that. What I want is that you leave and not come near the works again."

"I am perfectly wilhng to leave, Mr. Buckman. But before I go let me say this much. You are treating me unjustly, and some day I will prove it to you. I think I know who did the damage that has just been done, and I shall make it my business to bring the perpetrators to justice. In the meantime—"

"In the meantime I want you to leave me alone" shouted the superintendent. "I don't want to listen to your talk. You have already caused more trouble in these works than any other workman I ever had. There is the door. Clear out, before I boot you out!"

Red with suppressed rage the unreasonable man rushed to the door leading to the street and flung