“Very well, then; let us proceed to business.” Buck removed from a small leather bag a bale of legal-looking documents. “I have here,” he announced, “agreements from landowners along the proposed right of way of the N. C. O. to give to that company, on demand, within one year from date, satisfactory deeds covering rights of way which are minutely described in the said agreements. I wish these deeds prepared for signing and recording at the earliest possible moment.”
“You shall have them at this time to-morrow,” Henry promised.
The head of Henry Poundstone, Junior, was held high for the first time since he had flung forth his modest shingle to the breezes of Sequoia six months before, and there was an unaccustomed gleam of importance in his pale eyes as he rushed into big father's office in the city hall.
“By jinks, Dad!” he exulted. “I've hooked a fish at last—and he's a whopper.”
“Omit the cheers, my boy. Remember I sent that fish to you,” his father answered with a bland and indulgent smile. “What are you doing for Ogilvy, and how large a retainer did he give you?”
“I'm making out deeds to his rights of way. Ordinarily it's about a fifty-dollar job, but without waiting to discuss finances he handed me out two hundred and fifty dollars. Why, Dad, that's more than you make in a month from your job as Mayor.”
“Well, that isn't a bad retainer. It's an opening wedge. However, it would be mere chicken-feed in San Francisco.”
“Read this,” Henry urged, and thrust a yellow telegraph-form under the Mayor's nose. The latter adjusted his glasses and read:
Imperative building operations commence immediately. Local skepticism injurious and delays dangerous. We must show good faith to our New York friends. J. P. M. insists upon knowing promptly where we stand with Sequoia city council. See them immediately and secure temporary franchise, if possible, to enable us to cross Water Street at B Street and build out Front Street. Your arrangement with Cardigan for use of his mill-dock and spur for unloading material from steamer ratified by board but regarded as hold-up. If your judgment indicates no hold-up on permanent franchise, commence active operations immediately upon acquisition of permanent franchise. Engage local labour as far as possible. Cannot impress upon you too fully necessity for getting busy, as road must be completed in three years if our plans are to bear fruit and time is all too short. Impress this upon city council and wire answer to-morrow.