of unwilling tribute to his commanding genius, to
the colossal intellect operating the width of an entire continent than
the president and owner of the Pacific and Southwestern.

"I don't think, however, he has moved yet," said Magnus.

"The thing for us, then," exclaimed Osterman, "is to stand from under
before he does."

"Moved yet!" snorted Annixter. "He's probably moved so long ago that
we've never noticed it."

"In any case," hazarded Magnus, "it is scarcely probable that the
deal--whatever it is to be--has been consummated. If we act quickly,
there may be a chance."

"Act quickly! How?" demanded Annixter. "Good Lord! what can you do?
We're cinched already. It all amounts to just this: YOU CAN'T BUCK
AGAINST THE RAILROAD. We've tried it and tried it, and we are stuck
every time. You, yourself, Derrick, have just lost your grain-rate
case. S. Behrman did you up. Shelgrim owns the courts. He's got men like
Ulsteen in his pocket. He's got the Railroad Commission in his
pocket. He's got the Governor of the State in his pocket. He keeps
a million-dollar lobby at Sacramento every minute of the time the
legislature is in session; he's got his own men on the floor of the
United States Senate. He has the whole thing organised like an army
corps. What ARE you going to do? He sits in his office in San Francisco
and pulls the strings and we've got to dance."

"But--well--but," hazarded Broderson, "but there's the Interstate
Commerce Commission. At least on long-haul rates they----"

"Hoh, yes, the Interstate Commerce Commission," shouted Annixter,
scornfully, "that's great, ain't it? The greatest Punch and Judy; show
on earth. It's almost as good as the Railroad Commission. There never
was and there never will be a California Railroad Commission not in the
pay of the P. and S. W."

"It is to the Railroad Commission, nevertheless," remarked Magnus, "that
the people of the State must look for relief. That is our only hope.
Once elect Commissioners who would be loyal to the people, and the whole
system of excessive rates falls to the ground."

"Well, why not HAVE a Railroad Commission of our own, then?" suddenly
declared young Osterman.

"Because it can't be done," retorted Annixter. "YOU CAN'T BUCK AGAINST
THE RAILROAD and if you could you can't organise the farmers in the San
Joaquin. We tried it once, and it was enough to turn your stomach. The
railroad quietly bought delegates through S. Behrman and did us up."