“Come with me,” said Mr. Mechlin. “Let us go and talk with George about this.” When they had walked in silence a few minutes, Mr. Mechlin turned suddenly around and said:
“I have an idea. Let us (you, Don Mariano, and myself) go to see Governor Stanford and find out from him directly whether they really mean to kill the Texas Pacific, or whether those tricks of Huntington are intended only as a ruse to bring Tom Scott to terms.”
“But would Stanford tell us?”
“Whether he does or not, by talking with him we will find out the truth.”
“I don't think the sending of Guller to the South can be a ruse only; it must have cost them money.”
“True. You are right,” said Mr. Mechlin, sadly, resuming his walk. “And it proves conclusively that these men of the Central Pacific Railroad will stop at nothing to obtain their end; and yet, I have always thought so well of Governor Stanford that I am unwilling to believe he is a party to any trickery of Huntington's.”
On arriving home, Mr. Mechlin, followed by Mr. Holman, went directly into George's room to lay before him his idea of interviewing Governor Stanford. After listening attentively, George said:
“I have not the slightest doubt that the railroad men of the Central Pacific wish to establish an iron-bound monopoly on the Pacific slope, to grasp all the carrying business of the entire coast, and to effect that, they will do anything to kill the Texas Pacific, or any other road that might compete with them. Still, as you are going to San Francisco to escort Lizzie, you can then, for your own satisfaction, have a talk with Governor Stanford, and Mr. Holman and Don Mariano can join you.”
“Yes, after I see him, I shall know the truth whether he tells it to me or I see it myself,” said Mr. Mechlin.
“Well, I shall join you at any time. Let us go to see Don Mariano to-morrow and find out when he thinks he will be well enough to travel,” said Mr. Holman.