“As a matter of fact, Locke,” he said, “there never was a freight rate that pleased everybody.”
“Certainly not this one,” Locke replied. “It pleases no one.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Beemer. “It’s not such a bad rate. We have the usual number of complaints, but nothing more. Before promulgating it we made inquiries——”
“From my clients?” Locke interrupted sceptically.
“No, I’m afraid we overlooked them. But we have letters from several large lumber shippers and dealers. Like to read them?”
Locke nodded. He perused the letters produced, with a sardonic smile.
“Very pretty,” he commented, handing them back. “You couldn’t have worded them better yourself. They wouldn’t deceive a child.”
“Do you insinuate that they are not genuine?” asked Beemer sharply, frowning.
“They’re not forgeries, but that lets them out,” said Locke. “They’re inspired, every one of them. The signatories would admit it under oath, too. Are you paying them rebates?”
“Illegal,” said Beemer, recovering his usual suavity.