"Just as I told you," nodded Mr. Jordon, who was at Mr. Chambers's elbow.
Mr. Chambers pressed a button beneath the desk and the door opened before his secretary.
"Please show in the others," he requested quietly.
The secretary bowed and the door closed.
"The others?" breathed Rogers; and he and David and the Mayor looked at each other.
"The others!" exclaimed Mr. Jordon. "What others?"
Mr. Chambers sat silent, with unchanged face. The next instant the door, opening, answered the question. Into the room hesitantly filed the five owners of the land Rogers controlled. Rogers, David, and the Mayor, and also Mr. Jordon, rose in astonishment. The five stopped and stared at Rogers's party; plainly the surprise was mutual.
Mr. Chambers, remaining in his seat, motioned the new-comers to the chairs at the left of his desk. "Be seated, gentlemen."
"What's this mean?" David asked, catching Rogers's arm.
Rogers turned toward him, and for an instant David felt he was gazing into the abyss of fear. Then the arm he held tightened and Rogers looked toward his five clients and nodded.