"Well, that figure isn't anywhere nearly as high as I feared it might be,"
Tom pursued.
"But it will strike the directors of the Melliston Company as being pretty
big for an extra bill," muttered Renshaw. "Especially, since---"
The superintendent paused.
"You were going to say," smiled Tom, wanly, "since the loss wouldn't have
happened if I hadn't kicked the gamblers out of camp."
"That's about the size of it, Mr. Reade," nodded Renshaw. "Directors of
big companies are less interested in moral reforms than in dividends.
They're likely to make a big kick over what your crusade has cost them
already, even if it costs them no more."
"We'll see to it that it doesn't cost them any more," Tom retorted.
"Every night we'll watch that sea wall the way a mother does a sick baby.
There'll be no more explosions. As to the directors kicking over the
present expense, they'll have a prompt chance to do it. As soon as the
telegraph office in Blixton was open this morning I wired the president of
the company. Now, I'm going ashore. I can't do anything out here to help
you, can I?"
"Nothing," replied Renshaw. "If I didn't know how foolish the advice would
sound, Mr.
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