Why, about the great buying-up of property along the branch line, of course.
Bernick.
What do you mean? Is there any such rumour about?
Hilmar.
Yes, over the whole town. I heard it at the club. They say that one of our lawyers has been secretly commissioned to buy up all the forests, all the mining rights, all the water-power——
Bernick.
And is it known for whom?
Hilmar.
They thought at the club that it must be for a syndicate from some other town that had got wind of your scheme, and had rushed in before the prices rose. Isn’t it disgraceful? Ugh!
Bernick.