“Major Toppleton has bought up the stock of the old line of boats, and runs them to favor the railroad. The only possible motive he can have for sending his boats to Centreport is for the accommodation of passengers from Hitaca to that place. There are only a few of them. His next step, then, will be to run his boats only to Middleport, so that you shall not have an opportunity to catch a single through passenger.”
“That occurred to me,” replied the colonel.
If it had occurred to him, he had been singularly careless about providing a remedy.
“It will be done just as soon as the major sees that we can make our trip from Centreport to Ucayga in one hour and a half, including the stop at Ruoara. I am satisfied you will see the posters announcing a new arrangement within a week.
“I don’t see that I can help myself,” added the magnate, biting his lips with vexation.
“Don’t you, sir?”
“No, I do not,” continued the colonel, opening his eyes.
“If you wish it, you can have the entire control of the travel on this lake. After you have made your next move, Major Toppleton and the railroad will be nowhere.”
“I don’t understand you, Wolf.”
“You must build the mate to this steamer as soon as possible.”