"
"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."
"Indeed! Financially?"
"Yes, but not in the financial way you think. If that railroad is
built, it will have a very distinct effect on my finances.
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