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76 mind to speak to the Superintendent about the matter, but Franklin thrust the thought aside immediately. Come what might, he would fight his own battles.

When the whistle blew to resume work the young electrician went ahead as if nothing had been said to ruffle his mind in the least. He noticed that both of his fellow-workmen cast dark glances towards him, and more than once stepped aside to whisper together. Evidently they were plotting mischief.

About the middle of the afternoon Nolan caught him by the arm just as he was sitting down on one of the motors upon which he had been working.

"Mind what we told you," he said in a low tone. "We won't stand any nonsense!"

"I understand my own business best," returned Franklin. "And if you want to avoid trouble you had better mind yours."

"Then you ain't going to go it slow?

"No. I need money, and I intend to earn it—if I can."

"Well, you won't earn much of it here, I can tell you that," growled Mike Nolan, and he left the young electrician and hurried to Bob Jackson's side.

Nothing more was said during the remainder of the afternoon. When quitting time came both Jackson and Nolan cast aside their jumpers in a