“No; I didn’t need any money. All I needed was that one of your general managers, should be sound asleep, and time to make personal friends of the members of the House.”
“I see you are prejudiced against Mr. Blair.”
“I am, sir.”
Rockervelt pulled himself together as one who has had enough of badinage and now prepares for business. His impassive face hardened, and the onlooker saw before him the man who had ruthlessly crushed opposition, regardless of consequences.
“Now, young man,” he began, in a voice that cut like a knife, “do you know the value of these documents?”
“Yes, sir; they’re not worth a damn!”
“What!” cried Rockervelt, suddenly sitting bolt upright. “I thought you had kidnapped me to hold me up, as is the genial Western fashion. Don’t you want to sell this charter?”