Page:Frank Packard - On the Iron at Big Cloud.djvu/29

 "Very well, Rafferty, you can get your time," said Carleton quietly.

For a moment Rafferty stared as though he had not heard aright, then he swung round on his heel only to turn again and face the super with a short laugh. "All right, Mr. Carleton, you're the docthor. It's satisfied I am. Whin I go out, every bloomin' man in the shops 'ull go out wid me!"

Carleton's feet came off the desk like a shot, his chair came down to the floor with a bang, and the next instant he was standing in front of the boss fitter.

"See here, Rafferty," he blazed, "you know me—the men know me. While I've held the bank there's been fifty-two cards in the case and every mother's son of you has had a square deal. You know it, don't you? No man on this division ever came to me with just cause for complaint but had a chance to state his grievance on a clear track and no limit on his permit either. Now, I'm entitled to the same line of treatment I hand out, and I won't stand for threats!"

Rafferty shifted uneasily and to hide his confusion reached for his "chewing." "We've nothin' agin you, Mn Carleton, an' I'm givin' you fair warnin'," he mumbled as his teeth met in the plug.

"When you make trouble on this division you make trouble for me," said Carleton bluntly. "As for warning, I give you warning now that if you start any disturbance in those shops it will be the worse for you. Now go!"

They watched him through the windows as he