"You can have all our rooms, then, Mr. Ashby," proposed the same
drummer. "We'll have our things out and be ready for our bills within
twenty minutes."
"But, gentlemen, be calm about this," begged Ashby. "Finish your meals
first. There may be some way of arranging--"
"There is," returned the drummer, with a smile that was a fine duplicate
of Tom's own. "We know just where to arrange for the kind of
accommodations that we want. Mr. Reade," turning to Tom and Harry,
"will you allow me to introduce ourselves. We are aching to shake hands
with you, for we've heard all about you."
Proprietor Ashby fidgeted at the side, while the eight departing guests
paused long enough to make their names known to each other.
Jim Duff had vanished early, leaving the hotel man to his own
humiliation.
The introductions concluded, Hawkins followed the young engineers to
their room while the drummers went to their own more costly quarters and
hastily packed their belongings.
Fifteen minutes later the party stood in the office and porters were
bringing down trunks.
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