It would cost five hundred thousand dollars to build that twelve-mile
line and bridge Mad River, and the Cardigans haven't got that amount
of money. What's more, they can't get it."
"But suppose," she persisted, "that the real builder of the road
should prove to be Bryce Cardigan, after all. What would you do?"
Colonel Pennington's eyes twinkled. "I greatly fear, my dear, I
should make a noise like something doing."
"Suppose you lost the battle."
"In that event the Laguna Grande Lumber Company wouldn't be any worse
off than it is at present. The principal loser, as I view the
situation, would be Miss Shirley Sumner, who has the misfortune to be
loaded up with Cardigan bonds. And as for Bryce Cardigan--well, that
young man would certainly know he'd been through a fight."
"I wonder if he'll fight to the last, Uncle Seth."
"Why, I believe he will," Pennington replied soberly.
"I'd love to see you beat him."
"Shirley! Why, my dear, you're growing ferocious." Her uncle's tones
were laden with banter, but his countenance could not conceal the
pleasure her last remark had given him.
"Why not? I have something at stake, have I not?"
"Then you really want me to smash him?" The Colonel's voice
proclaimed his incredulity.
"You got me into this fight by buying Cardigan bonds for me," she
replied meaningly, "and I look to you to save the investment or as
much of it as possible; for certainly, if it should develop that the
Cardigans are the real promoters of the N.
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