However, as Tom kept silent the young soldier did the same.
"What on earth can Bascomb be doing here ?" Tom wondered.

"Is he, too, one of the conspirators?
It is unbelievable! Yet with what speed he obeyed Evarts's summons to come and bail him out! It makes me feel like a sneak to be here spying on the president of the company that employs me---and yet there's something here that certainly must be looked into!" Fifteen minutes more dragged by, with Mr.Bascomb walking impatiently back and forth, occasionally heaving a deep sigh or catching at his breath.
"Our worthy president is much excited, at any rate," Reade said to himself.
Finally steps were heard, both by Bascomb and by the pair who watched him.
Then another man came upon the scene.
"Evarts, why on earth did you send for me ?" demanded Mr.Bascomb, as the discharged foreman came up.
"Because I knew you'd be here---you don't dare do otherwise," was the sneering reply.
"Try not to be impudent about it," advised Mr.Bascomb mildly.

"As you may remember, I've had to stand a lot from you." "And not as much as you might have to stand, either, if I took it into my head to make matters lively for you," jeered Evarts harshly.

"Remember, man, you'll do as I want you to do." "I'm willing to do what I can for you," replied the president.

"But---" "Now, don't throw any of your 'buts' at me," broke in the discharged foreman, roughly.