“No use, Wolf,” interposed Tommy. “You might as well hang up your fiddle. You can’t compete with the Lake Shore Railroad.”
“We never say die. We intend to have our share of the business.”
“Perhaps you do; but you won’t have it,” said Tommy, as the two trains came in, nearly at the same time.
“Steamer Ucayga; new boat! Through to Hitaca!” shouted our runners. “No change from boat to cars! Magnificent steamer! Land you in Hitaca at half-past seven, gentlemen! Fare only a dollar and a half!”
Major Toppleton and Tommy looked aghast, and turned to me for an explanation.
CHAPTER XXIII.
UP THE LAKE.
“What do you mean, Wolf?” demanded Tommy Toppleton, turning fiercely toward me. “Have you told your runners to lie to passengers?”
“Certainly not,” I replied. “They are telling only the truth as I understand it.”
“The truth! Don’t you hear them?” angrily interposed Major Toppleton.
“I hear them, sir. They are saying just what they have been told to say. You will notice that they do not utter a word against the railroad line.”