“I think I did, sir.”
“Um! Well, now, you did not waylay me for the purposes of pleasant conversation. I don’t like to see good men leave us; and if your object in kidnapping me was to come back to us, I may at once admit I am willing to entertain a proposal.”
“No, sir. That was not my object, although I make bold to say that an offer from Mr. Rockervelt would exact respect from the greatest in the land, and I’m no exception to my betters. What I wanted, sir, was to persuade you to cast your eye over this map. The red line represents sixty-three miles of level country, and——”
“I see; if a railway were built along that red line, your road would have access to New York independent of me. Well, young man, don’t let that red line worry you. I could not allow you to get a charter.”
“You’re quick to see the possibilities, sir.”
“Yes, but here are no probabilities.”
“I’m not so sure of that, sir. Like the other fellow’s fifteen dollars, I’ve got the charter in my inside pocket.”