"I'm a few thousand out," said the hotel man philosophically, "but I
have my ground yet, and, the insurance money will allow me to rebuild.,
and put up a more modern hotel. Of course I'll be a few thousand
dollars in debt, to start with, but after a short while I'll have earned
the money that I've lost."
"Why did you smile when poor Carter was talking about his loss?"
demanded Harry, as the chums strolled away in search of breakfast.
"Did I?" asked Tom, looking suddenly very, sober.
"There was a broad grin on your face?"
"Carter didn't see it, did he?"
"I don't know; but why, the grin, Tom?"
"I'll tell you after I see what answer I receive to a telegram that I've
sent."
"Tom Reade, you always were provoking!"
"Now I'm doubly so, eh?"
"Oh, well, I don't care," muttered Harry. "I can wait; I'm not very
nosey."
By noon General Manager Ellsworth arrived on the scene of the labors of
the young engineers, out at the site of the big quicksand.
"You can run the work here this afternoon, Harry," Tom declared.
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