s not believable that
the corporation would allow itself to be fooled so easily, would rush
open-eyed into the trap. How had it happened?

Osterman, however, threw his hat into the air with wild whoops of
delight. Old Broderson permitted himself a feeble cheer. Even Magnus
beamed satisfaction. The other members of the League, present at the
time, shook hands all around and spoke of opening a few bottles on the
strength of the occasion. Annixter alone was recalcitrant.

"It's too easy," he declared. "No, I'm not satisfied. Where's Shelgrim
in all this? Why don't he show his hand, damn his soul? The thing is
yellow, I tell you. There's a big fish in these waters somewheres. I
don't know his name, and I don't know his game, but he's moving round
off and on, just out of sight. If you think you've netted him, I DON'T,
that's all I've got to say."

But he was jeered down as a croaker. There was the Commission. He
couldn't get around that, could he? There was Darrell and Lyman Derrick,
both pledged to the ranches. Good Lord, he was never satisfied. He'd be
obstinate till the very last gun was fired. Why, if he got drowned in a
river he'd float upstream just to be contrary.

In the course of time, the new board was seated. For the first few
months of its term, it was occupied in clearing up the business left
over by the old board and in the completion of the railway map. But
now, the decks were cleared. It was about to address itself to the
consideration of a revision of the tariff for the carriage of grain
between the San Joaquin Valley and tide-water.

Both Lyman and Darrell were pledged to an average ten per cent. cut of
the grain rates throughout the entire State.

The typewriter returned with the letters for Lyman to sign, and he put
away the map and took up his morning's routine of business, wondering,
the while, what would become of his practice during the time he was
involved in the business of the Ranchers' Railroad Commission.

But towards noon, at the moment when Lyman was drawing off a glass of
mineral water from the siphon that stood at his elbow, there was an
interruption. Some one rapped vigorously upon the door, which was
immediately after opened, and Magnus and Harran came in, followed by
Presley.

"Hello, hello!" cried Lyman, jumping up, extending his hands, "why,
here's a surprise. I didn't expect you all till to-night. Come in, come
in and sit down. Have a glass of sizz-water, Governor."

The othe