It took them over an hour to walk to the Eiffel company workshops in the northwestern suburb of Levallois-Perret. When they got there, they found a hive of activity. The framework of the huge tower was being assembled in fifteen-foot sections that were placed in huge stacks prior to shipment from the factory to the building site. Over a hundred ironworkers were busily engaged in this assembly and riveting work. But when Thomas politely asked if Monsieur Eiffel was there, he was told that the engineer was to be found at the Champ de Mars that day.

Once again therefore the brothers set off, to the south this time, passed by the Arc de Triomphe and finally, toward eleven in the morning, crossed the Pont d’Iéna and entered the huge building site.

The foundations were all but finished now. They looked like four gigantic gun emplacements, ready to fire across each other to the four horizons. In the middle of this great platform a group of engineers and other gentlemen clustered around a single figure, like a general with his staff.

“That’s him,” said Thomas. “That’s Monsieur Eiffel.” He took a deep breath. “Come on.”

Since Monsieur Eiffel was deep in conversation, they stood a little way apart. They had to wait half an hour before the group finally broke up, and Eiffel began to walk off the site with just a couple of companions, toward the river.

“Monsieur Eiffel,” Thomas called out, just loud enough for the engineer to hear, as he moved to intercept him. Eiffel turned and looked at the two young people inquiringly. “Monsieur Eiffel, I am Thomas Gascon. I worked for you on the Statue of Liberty,” Thomas said, as he came up with him.

“Ah.” Eiffel paused, clearly trying to remember him. Then he smiled. “Young Monsieur Gascon from Aquitaine, who went to search for his brother, n’est-ce pas?”

“Yes, monsieur.”

Eiffel indicated to his companions that they should move on and that he would join them shortly.

“And I forget—did you find your brother?”

“This is him.” Thomas indicated Luc.

“And what can I do for you, Monsieur Gascon?”

“I should like to work for you on the tower, Monsieur Eiffel. Just like I did on the Statue.”

“But my friend, we have a full complement. It would have given me pleasure to employ you on two such notable projects. Why did you not apply at the start, when we were hiring?”

Thomas hesitated only a second.

“My brother here was sick, monsieur, and my family needed me at home.” He glanced at Luc, who managed to cover his astonishment, and continued: “He is well now, as you see.” And Luc solemnly nodded.

Eiffel looked at him thoughtfully.

“I know you are a good worker,” said Eiffel. “And as it happens, we are short one man at present. But this is not in the factory. We are short a ‘flyer,’ the fellows who go up the tower.”