spoon in this boiling. It's because our commissioners have
betrayed us. It's because we're a set of damn fool farmers and have been
cinched again."

Lyman paled under his dark skin at the direct attack. He evidently had
not expected this so soon. For the fraction of one instant he lost his
poise. He strove to speak, but caught his breath, stammering.

"What have you to say, then?" cried Harran, who, until now, had not
spoken.

"I have this to say," answered Lyman, making head as best he might,
"that this is no proper spirit in which to discuss business. The
Commission has fulfilled its obligations. It has adjusted rates to
the best of its ability. We have been at work for two months on the
preparation of this schedule----"

"That's a lie," shouted Annixter, his face scarlet; "that's a lie. That
schedule was drawn in the offices of the Pacific and Southwestern and
you know it. It's a scheme of rates made for the Railroad and by the
Railroad and you were bought over to put your name to it."

There was a concerted outburst at the words. All the men in the room
were on their feet, gesticulating and vociferating.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried Magnus, "are we schoolboys, are we
ruffians of the street?"

"We're a set of fool farmers and we've been betrayed," cried Osterman.

"Well, what have you to say? What have you to say?" persisted Harran,
leaning across the table toward his brother. "For God's sake, Lyman,
you've got SOME explanation."

"You've misunderstood," protested Lyman, white and trembling. "You've
misunderstood. You've expected too much. Next year,--next year,--soon
now, the Commission will take up the--the Commission will consider the
San Joaquin rate. We've done our best, that is all."

"Have you, sir?" demanded Magnus.

The Governor's head was in a whirl; a sensation, almost of faintness,
had seized upon him. Was it possible? Was it possible?

"Have you done your best?" For a second he compelled Lyman's eye.
The glances of father and son met, and, in spite of his best efforts,
Lyman's eyes wavered. He began to protest once more, explaining the
matter over again from the beginning. But Magnus did not listen. In
that brief lapse of time he was convinced that the terrible thing had
happened, that the unbelievable had come to pass. It was in the air.
Between father and son, in some subtle fashion, the truth that was a
lie stood suddenly revealed. But even then Magnus would not receive it.
Lyman do