posting ourselves. We know how you have
talked to the others. But you can't bluff us. You propose to steal our
plant, such of it as we have been able to build to date. One word from
you to the money gang takes the hoodoo off us. Now talk business! Do you
propose to pot us like you have the rest?"

The heart of the big rose in the center of the screen flashed once with
a glow that was imperceptible unless one had been gazing at it, watching
for a signal. Colonel Dodd understood that Miss Kate Kilgour had entered
through a low door and was behind the screen, ready with note-book
and pencil. He leaned back in his deep chair and interlocked his pudgy
fingers across his paunch.

"I assure you I have not the least interest in your projects as to the
Danburg water system, Mr. Davis, Mr. Erskine, Mr. Owen." He dwelt on the
names. "The Consolidated has plenty of its own business to attend to."

"But I say you are trying to run _our_ business, too--no, ruin it!"

"Do you realize, Mr. Davis, that you are accusing me of criminal
conspiracy--making a statement that might go hard with you in a court of
law? You have accused me of trying to discredit you with banking-houses.
Can you produce any proof except your foolish and unjust suspicions?
You have been made angry by a refusal to handle your bonds. I don't sell
bonds. I build and operate water systems."

"The same old game," sneered Davis. "Your water syndicate, the railroads
of this state, the banks, the politics--they're all snarled up together
like snakes in winter quarters. I say, if you pass the word our bonds
will be taken. If you don't do it, I'm going to trot out of this office
and expose your highway-robber system."

"In one breath you threaten me because you say I'm interfering in
your affairs. In the next breath you threaten me because I refuse to
interfere. You are making dangerous talk, Davis. I may call the courts
to pass on that threat. There is only one proposition I can make to
you--and that's strictly in the line of my business. If you are tied up
financially--are at the end of your resources and must have help--I'll
give you my aid in getting the Consolidated to take over the Danburg
plant at a fair valuation."

"Is that the best word you've got for us?"

"I have made you an honorable business proposition."

"That your final talk?"

"Absolutely."

Davis found words inadequate for his boiling emotions just then. He
advanced on Dodd, who shrank back in