"Wonderful."
"May I inquire the nature of this merger?" Emerson ventured, amazed at this disclosure of the intimate relations existing between the two.
"Certainly," replied Wayne Wayland. "There is no longer any secret about it, and the papers will be full of the story in the morning. I have combined the packing industries of the Pacific Coast under the name of the North American Packers' Association."
Boyd felt himself growing numb.
"What do you mean by 'packing industries'?" asked Mildred.
"Canneries—salmon fisheries! We own sixty per cent. of the plants of the entire Coast, including Alaska. That's why I've been so keen about that north country, Boyd. You never guessed it, eh?"
"No, sir," Boyd stammered.
"Well, we control the supply, and we will regulate the market. We will allow only what competition we desire. Oh, it is all in our hands. It was a beautiful transaction, and one of the largest I ever effected."
Was he dreaming? Boyd wondered. His mouth was dry, but he managed to inquire:
"What about the independent canneries?"