“That’s no reason to get sore at us!” Bud declared.
But Greenup had not run out of verbal ammunition. “If it weren’t for Swift Enterprises and the Swift Construction Company,” he said, scowling, “there wouldn’t be a water shortage!”
“How do you figure that?” Tom challenged.
“In the past few months, the construction plant has boosted water consumption between eighty and one hundred thousand gallons a day. By adding new workers to the payroll, you’ve drawn hundreds of new families into Shopton.”
Bud grinned. “The Chamber of Commerce likes it!”
“Maybe the answer is to bring in more water,” Tom suggested quietly.
“We’re planning to do that,” Greenup said importantly. “We intend to tunnel through Pine Hill and tap Silver Lake. But all that takes time. We can’t hope to have that lake water piped in before next summer.”
After a few more grumbling remarks, he wandered off to inspect the work of the repair crew. The men, stripped to the waist, were dripping with sweat as they labored under the hot August sun.
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGERS 9
“Say, pal, I’m sorry I got you into all this,” Bud apologized, an embarrassed look on his face.
“Forget it,” Tom replied. “Greenup’s been peeved at Swift Enterprises for quite a while. He tried to make trouble for Dad at the last meeting of the Town Council.”
“My hands were so sweaty from excitement that they slipped off the steering wheel and the truck got away from me.”
“By the way, where did you leave it?” Tom asked.
“Over there by that-” Bud broke off abruptly, a bewildered expression on his face. “Holy smoke, it’s gone!”