Page:Frank Packard - On the Iron at Big Cloud.djvu/23

 "Eh?" said Carleton, startled out of his calm by reason of the suddenness of the question.

"Why did Williams resign?" Holman repeated.

"Oh, I don't know. Tired of the life out here, I guess," Carleton evaded.

"Was it Rafferty?"

Carleton turned sharply to scrutinize the other's countenance. Holman was gazing out of the window.

"It was Rafferty," Carleton admitted after a moment.

Holman's gaze never shifted from the window. "Why wasn't Rafferty fired?" he asked in the same quiet tones, but this time there was just the faintest tinge of accusation in his voice.

Carleton's face flushed. An instant's hesitation, then he answered bluntly: "He weighed more, that's why!"

"Oh!" said Holman significantly. "Then why didn't you recommend Rafferty for the position long ago and save all the trouble?"

"I would have if he could do anything more than sign his name."

Holman turned angrily to face the super. "So," he cried, "when a fellow comes out here he has to play a lone hand, eh? A show-down with Rafferty, shop hands, and the whole division drawing cards against him. You, Carleton, I didn't put you down as a man with a pet."

Carleton got up and put his hand on Holman's shoulder. "Don't do it, either," he said quietly. "Don't run off your schedule that way, son. It has