Alexander sprang to the platform and hurried up the siding, waving to Philip Horton, one of his assistants, who was anxiously looking up at the windows of the coaches.

Bartley took his arm and they went together into the station buffet.
"I'll have my coffee first, Philip.

Have you had yours?
And now, what seems to be the matter up here ?" The young man, in a hurried, nervous way, began his explanation.
But Alexander cut him short.

"When did you stop work ?" he asked sharply.
The young engineer looked confused.

"I haven't stopped work yet, Mr.Alexander.I didn't feel that I could go so far without definite authorization from you." "Then why didn't you say in your telegram exactly what you thought, and ask for your authorization?
You'd have got it quick enough." "Well, really, Mr.Alexander, I couldn't be absolutely sure, you know, and I didn't like to take the responsibility of making it public." Alexander pushed back his chair and rose.