"We have to rely upon our experts."
"Of course. But that country must have a railroad."
"Must?" Heidlemann lifted his brows. "It has done very well without one so far. Our friends call us crazy for trying to build one, and our enemies call us thieves."
"You can't afford to give up."
"No. There's an element of pride in the matter, and I really believe the country does need transportation."
"You can't understand how badly it needs it."
"Yet it's a heavy load to carry," said Heidlemann, with conviction, "for a road will lose money for many years. We were willing to wait until the agriculture and the mining developed, even though the profit came only to our children; but—we have been misunderstood, abused by the press and the public. Even Congress is down on us. However, I suppose you came to tell me once more that Omar is the gateway and that we need it."
O'Neil smiled. "That's hardly necessary now, is it? I own every inch of water-front at that point, and there's no other harbor. My track will be laid to the glaciers by the time snow flies."
"Trevor reports that a bridge is possible, although expensive."
"It will cost two million dollars."