|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 7
"You are down here to get the contract for filling up the Man-killer
quicksand?" Duff continued, with an air of polite curiosity.
"The contract is not to be awarded," Ransom answered. "The A., G. & N.
M. has decided to do the work itself, with the assistance of two young
engineers who have been retained."
"Reade and Hazelton," nodded Jim Duff.
"Yes."
"They may fail--are almost sure to do so. Then, of course, Mr. Ransom,
you will have a very excellent chance of securing the contract for the
Colthwaite Company."
"Why, yes; if the young men do fail."
"Will you pardon a stranger's curiosity, Mr. Ransom? Have you laid your
plans yet for the way in which the young men are to fail?"
From most strangers this direct questioning would have been offensive.
Jim Duff, however, from long experience in fleecing greenhorns, had
acquired a manner and way, of speaking that stood him in good stead.
After a moment's half-embarrassed silence Fred Ransom burst into a laugh
that was wholly good-natured.
"Mr. Duff, You are unusually clever at reading other's motives," he
replied.
"I went to school as a youngster, and learned how to read the pages of
open books," the gambler confessed modestly. "So you have, as yet, no
plan for compelling the young engineers to fail and quit at the Man-
killer?"
This was such a direct, comprehensive question that Fred Ransom remained
silent for some moments before he admitted:
"No; as yet I haven't been able to form a plan."
"Then engage me to help you," spoke Jim Duff slowly, coolly. "I know
the country here, and the people. I know where to lay my finger on men
who can be trusted to do unusual things. I shall come high, Mr. Ransom,
but I am really worth the money. Talk it over with me, and convince me
that your company will be sufficiently liberal in return for large
favors."
"Oh, the Colthwaite Company would be liberal enough," protested Ransom,
"and quick to hand out the cash, at that."
"I took that for granted," smiled Duff, showing his white teeth. "Your
people, the Colthwaites, have always been accustomed to paying for
favors that require unusual talent, some courage-and perhaps a
persistency of the shooting kind."
Then the two rascals, who now thoroughly understood each other, fell to
plotting. An hour later the outlook was dark, indeed, for the success of
Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton.
CHAPTER II
DUFF ASSERTS HIS "RIGHTS"
"We've a hard afternoon ahead of us, Harry," remarked Tom Reade, as the
engineer chums finished the noonday meal in the public dining room of
the Mansion House.
"Pshaw! We'll have more real work to do after our material arrives,"
rejoined young Hazelton. "We're promised the material in four days. If
we get it in a fortnight we will be lucky."
"That might be true on some railroads," smiled Tom. "But Mr. Ellsworth,
the general manager of the A., G. & N. M., is a hustler, if I ever met
one. When we wired to him what we needed, he wired back that enough of
the material would be here within four days to keep us busy for some
time. I believe Mr. Ellsworth never talks until he knows what he's
talking about."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|