th.
This vote was worth something to your people, and the fact was properly
recognized. I don't know but what I'm telling you a lot of stale news,
but--"

"Go on, Mr. Hathaway; if I wasn't greatly interested in the beginning, I
am now. How was the fact recognized by the Transcontinental Railway
Company?"

"It was just as easy as twice two. The Twin Buttes Lumber Company is
practically the only heavy lumber-shipper in this inter-mountain
territory, and it was given a preferential rate on its products; you
might say that the amount of business we do entitles us to some special
consideration, anyway. There wasn't any bargain and sale about it, you
understand. It was just a sort of friendly recognition of our help in
the election."

"This rate is lower than the rate made to other lumber-shippers?"

"Well, yes; but, after all, it isn't any big thing. If you were up on
lumber rates, Mr. Blount--as I don't suppose you are--you'd know that
the special tariff we get is all that enables us to live and do
business."

Blount had opened his penknife and was absently sharpening a pencil.

"This special rate you refer to, Mr. Hathaway," he said, speaking
slowly and quite distinctly--"am I right in inferring that it is not
confined strictly to points within the State boundaries?"

At this the lumberman repeated a phrase which he had used in the anxious
conference in the Weatherford herbarium.

"If I thought you didn't know, I'd go a long time without telling you,
Mr. Blount. But of course you do know. If you wasn't on the inside of
all the insides you wouldn't be sitting here pulling the strings for
McVickar. The rate is a blanket; it covers all shipments."

Blount nodded and his apparent coolness was no just measure of the
inward fires the crooked lumber-king was kindling.

"You interest me greatly, Mr. Hathaway. I am a little new to these
things--as you intimated a few moments ago. How is this matter
handled--by rebates, I suppose?"

"N-not exactly," was the hesitating denial. "That would be too risky for
both of us. But the Transcontinental Company is a heavy buyer--lumber
and cross-ties and bridge timber, you know--and the biggest part of the
difference between our special and the regular rate is taken up in our
bills for material furnished to the railroad."

"Let me be quite clear upon that point," said Blount; and if Hathaway
had had eyes to see, he would have observed that the young lawyer's
attitude was becoming