Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-07
CHAPTER XVIII.

\ "Tandy has gone into that Memphis and Ohio river enterprise up to his eyes, said Duncan. Naturally he has got his controlling interest in it at an extremely low price as compar- ed with the face value of the stock and bonds, for the reason that the road ends at Paducah, which Is much the same thing as ending nowhere.
 But if he can succeed in diverting our line to Paducah instead of Cairo, thus securing an entirely satisfactory connection north and east, his Memphis and Ohio road will become part of one of the greatest trunk lines in this part of the country, and the advance in his stoek and bond holdings will make him one of the richest men in the west"
 That Is what I was thinking, Guil- ford, but hardly dared suggest it, would be possible to change our line I4thought that maybe ks charter com pelled it to run to Cairo" \
 ysNo, unfortunately it doesn't. Tan dF secured the charter in the first place, before Hallam and Stafford went into tie project I wonder" he added, with a-puzzled look, T wonder if the old schemer was looking this far ahead At any rate, the charter, as Tandy had 1t drawn. requires only that the line shall be so located and constructed as to connect the railroads running east from its eastern terminus with the Mis- s&sippi river. It doesn't say at what peint That requirement. would be Ally met, of course, if the road should he diverted to Paducah, connecting there with the line to Memphis"
 "But why did Handy want that coun- v line provision put into the bond subscription?"
 Look at the map again. Those two counties lie west of the point at which the road must be turned south if it is to be diverted to Paducah. If we fail to build across that county line by noon of the 18th of next March the subscriptions of both those counties will be forfeited. Then Tandy will step in and offer the company that is building the line much larger sub- scription of some sort from Paducah and from his Memphis road as an in- ducement to shorten the line by taking 1t to Paducah instead of Cairo"
 "That would ruin Cairo?" the girl asked anxiously.
 "It would be terrible blow to the city's prosperity. Butp looking at.his. watch. T must lay this matter before Hallam and Stafford tonight. late as it is."
 Then, going to the little telegraph in- strument which for his own conven- fence he had installed in Barbara's house, he called Captain Hallam out of bed and clicked off the message:
 Tho milk fin the cocoanut is accounted for must see you and Stafford tonight. without fail Summon him. I'll go up to your house at once.
 It did not require much time or many words for Duncan to explain the situa- ton as he now understood 1t. nor was there the slightest ground for doubt that the solution reached was altogeth- H the correct one.
 "It's deep game he's been playing" paid Hallam.
 'Tt is one of the finest combinations ever heard of" responded Stafford. 'You've mighty long head, Duncan, 1e work out such a pusEle."
 sDon't be too complimentary to my head. didn't work 1t out" responded tie younger man.
 You didn't? Who did, thenr
 Barbara Verne! She forbade me 10 mention her name. but will not sail under false colors."
 "well. now, I want to say. said Stafford, that you've a mighty long head, anyhow, to make counselor Of such a girl as Barbara Verne. It's the very wisest thing you ever did In your fife and the wisest you ever will do till you make her your wife. Of course that will come in due timeT'
 "I hope so. but am not sure I can accomplish that"
 "why. had supposed it was all ar ranged. Why haven't you"-
 Perhaps I have. At any rate. the doubt I spoke of is not due to any neg lect of opportunity on my part. But we must get to business. It Is o'clock In the morning. We've found out old Napper's game. Now. what are ve going to do about itf'
 During this little side conversation Hsllam had been pacing the floor. thinking. He now began Issuing or ders. like shots from a rapid fire gun.
 "Go to the instrument there, Duncan. and telegraph Temple to come to Cairo by the first train. Tell him to give in- structions to his assistant as to the running of the mine during a long ab- sence on his part"
 When Duncan had finished inc work of telegraphinr. HalIam turned to him. saying:
 -You. Duncan. are to start for New York on the o'clock train this morn sng Leave your proxy with Stafford to vote your stock in the present com pany. and
 Whats your plan. Hsllsn?- inter -=pted Stafford
 To give old Nspper Tsniy the ve-y hardest le<sun he's ever had to learn at my hands. You and I will call a meeting of the company immediately ard make Dunezn president
 -But bow are we 10 get rid of Tan dyr
 -Ask hin to resign and kick him cut if he doesn't Bat listen. We've n tine to waste Wen reo-eanf1e this