The King of Arcadia

The strenuous rush of the day of suddenly changed plans was over, and with Gardiner, theassistant professor of geology, to bid him God-speed, Ballard had got as far as the trackplatform gates of the Boston & Albany Station when Lassley's telegram, like a detaininghand stretched forth out of the invisible, brought him to a stand. He read it, with a little frown of perplexity sobering his strong, enthusiastic face."S. S. Carania, NEW YORK."To BRECKENRIDGE BALLARD, Boston."You love life and crave success. Arcadia Irrigation has killed its originator and two chiefsof construction. It will kill you. Let it alone."LASSLEY."He signed the book, tipped the boy for his successful chase, and passed the telegram on toGardiner."If you were called in as an expert, what would you make of that?" he asked. The assistant professor adjusted his eye-glasses, read the message, and returned it withoutsuggestive comment."My field being altogether prosaic, I should make nothing of it. There are no assassinationsin geology. What does it mean?"Ballard shook his head.