"Take him back, at once."
"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't do it. He---"
"I don't think you quite understand," broke in Mr. Bascomb coldly. "I
directed you to take Mr. Evarts back on this work."
"I was about to tell you, sir, why I can't do anything of the sort.
I---"
"Stop right there, Reade," ordered President Bascomb, in his most
aggressive, bullying manner. "The first point that we have to settle is
that Evarts must come back on the pay-roll and have his old position. Be
good enough to let that proposition sink in before we take up the second."
"I am very sorry, sir," Tom murmured respectfully, "but I can't and won't
have Evarts back here. I won't have him around the work at all. Now what
is the second proposition, sir?"
As Tom spoke he looked straight into Mr. Bascomb's eyes. The other glared
at him unbelievingly but angrily.
"Young man, you don't appear to understand that I am president and head of
the Melliston Company."
"I quite understand it, sir," Reade answered. "At the same time I am chief
engineer here, and I am committed to building the breakwater and dredging
out the enclosed bay or harbor, all within a certain fixed appropriation.
In order to keep my part of the bargain I must have men with me on whom I
can depend to the fullest limit.
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