“Do you mind showing it to me?” asked Rockervelt, unconsciously finishing the line of the song referred to. John handed him the documents, and the great man scrutinised them with the quick care of an expert; then he folded them up again, but did not offer to return them. He gazed out upon the flying landscape for a few moments while Steele stood expectant.
“How did you overcome Blair’s opposition?” he inquired at last.
“There was no opposition.”
The president frowned, and a glint of anger appeared in the cold, calculating eyes.
“I expect Blair to watch the Legislature as well as the railway.”
“He watches neither, sir.”
Rockervelt glanced sharply at the confident young man who thus dared to asperse one of the minor gods of the Rockervelt System.
“Then who looks after the Midland?”
“Philip Manson, and does it quietly and well.”
“Where did you get the money to put this through? A syndicate?”