About nine o'clock, Shirley, in response to a meaning glance from her relative, tactfully convoyed Mrs. Poundstone upstairs, leaving her uncle alone with his prey. Instantly Pennington got down to business.
“Well,” he queried, apropos of nothing, “what do you hear with reference to the Northern-California-Gregon Railroad?”
“Oh, the usual amount of wind, Colonel. Nobody knows what to make of that outfit.”
Pennington studied the end of his cigar a moment. “Well, I don't know what to think of that project either,” he admitted presently, “But while it looks like a fake, I have a suspicion that where there's so much smoke, one is likely to discover a little fire. I've been waiting to see whether or not they will apply for a franchise to enter the city, but they seem to be taking their time about it.”
“They certainly are a deliberate crowd,” the Mayor murmured.
“Have they made any move to get a franchise?” Pennington asked bluntly. “If they have, I suppose you would be the first man to hear about it. I don't mean to be impertinent,” he added with a gracious smile, “but the fact is I noticed that windbag Ogilvy entering your office in the city hall the other afternoon, and I couldn't help wondering whether his visit was social or official.”
“Social--so far as I could observe,” Poundstone replied truthfully, wondering just how much Pennington knew, and rather apprehensive that he might get caught in a lie before the evening was over.
“Preliminary to the official visit, I dare say.”
The Colonel puffed thoughtfully for a while--for which the Mayor was grateful, since it provided time in which to organize himself. Suddenly, however, Pennington turned toward his guest and fixed the latter with a serious glance.
“I hadn't anticipated discussing this matter with you, Poundstone, and you must forgive me for it; but the fact is--I might as well be frank with you--I am very greatly interested in the operation of this proposed railroad.”
“Yes, but not in the financial way you think. If that railroad is built, it will have a very distinct effect on my finances.”
“You wouldn't if you had given the subject very close consideration. The logical route for this railroad is from Willits north to Sequoia, not from Sequoia north to Grant's Pass, Oregon. Such a road as the N.C.O. contemplates will tap about one third of the redwood belt only, while a line built in from the south will tap two thirds of it. The remaining third can be tapped by an extension of my own logging-road; when my own timber is logged out, I will want other business for my road, and if the N.C.O. parallels it, I will be left with two streaks of rust on my hands.”