He was
tied to the railroad except at night.
It was perhaps two weeks later that a serious shake-up occurred in
the office force, of which no one seemed to know the cause. There
was a mad scramble for advancement all along the line, in which
Kirk took no part. But unexpectedly Runnels summoned him to his
office.
"How would you like an inside position?" said the Master of
Transportation, eying him keenly.
"So soon?"
"I said I'd advance you if you made good." He paused an instant,
then said, deliberately, "When you get the hang of things here
you'll have a chance to be my assistant."
Kirk opened his eyes in amazement.
"Gee! That's great! But do you think I can get away with it?"
"Not at once. It will take time, of course, and you'll have to
work like the devil." Runnels regarded him curiously, recalling
the letter so carefully filed away. Then he yielded to his natural
impulse.
"Look here, Anthony," he said, "I'm partly selfish in this, for I
believe you're the sort I'm going to want within the next year.
The superintendent has had an offer from a big system in the
States, and he's going to quit when his vacation comes. He likes
me, and he says I'll probably step into his shoes. Do you
understand what that means? I'll need fellows I can count on--
fellows who won't double-cross me to make a dollar for themselves,
or knife me when my back is turned.
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