CHAPTER XI
THE MASTER MECHANIC
"Want to resign, do you?"
"That is what I came here for, sir," said the young engineer of No. 999.
"Well, you're too late," and the master mechanic of the Great Northern seemed to turn his back on Ralph, busying himself with some papers on his desk. He was a great, gruff fellow with the heart of a child, but he showed it rarely. A diamond in the rough, most of the employees of the road were afraid of him. Not so Ralph. The young railroader had won the respect and admiration of the official by his loyalty and close attention to duty. In fact, Ralph felt that the influence of the master mechanic had been considerable of an element in his promotion to No. 999. He stepped nearer to the desk, managing to face the would-be tyro.
"Too late, sir?" he repeated vaguely.
"Didn't I say so? Get out!"
