A denial, under the present
circumstances, would be tantamount to an admission; Poundstone could
not guess just how much the Colonel really knew, and it would not do
to lie to him, since eventually the lie must be discovered. Caught
between the horns of a dilemma, Poundstone only knew that Ogilvy
could never be to him such a powerful enemy as Colonel Seth
Pennington; so, after the fashion of his kind, he chose the lesser of
two evils. He resolved to "come clean."
"The city council has already granted the N.C.O. a temporary
franchise," he confessed.
Pennington sprang furiously to his feet. "Dammit." he snarled, "why
did you do that without consulting me?"
"Didn't know you were remotely interested." Now that the ice was
broken, Poundstone felt relieved and was prepared to defend his act
vigorously. "And we did not commit ourselves irrevocably," he
continued. "The temporary franchise will expire in twenty-eight days
--and in that short time the N.C.O. cannot even get started."
"Have you any understanding as to an extension of that temporary
franchise, in case the N.C.O. desires it?"
"Well, yes--not in writing, however. I gave Ogilvy to understand that
if he was not ready in thirty days, an extension could readily be
arranged."
"Any witnesses?"
"I am not such a fool, sir," Poundstone declared with asperity.
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