Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-09-28
Dawson by way of st. Michaels at


agreed to restore the old rate. and
each side promised 10 pay the other "A
royalty OF $40 ton on all the freight
II hauled 10 Dawson and up river
points You can guess the result, can't
you: The steamboat companies let
Ills liul all the freight and sat back
OH e.. r. launches and took their prof
It. Tor every ton he hauled he slipped
EN- ten round American dollars, stamp
ed with the Goddess Of Liberty. Oh, II
was soft When they had him fairly
tied up they drydocked their steam
boats, to save wear and tear. He
paid 'em n thousand dollars day for
three years. II that amt blackmail
it's first cousin TO IL by marriage
Didn't the Interstate commerce com
mission get WISE
Certainly not. 1t looks wise, but II
never gets wise. oh. believe me, Poult
ney Ills is hopping mad | spose he's
over here now to renew the arrange
ment for another three years on behalf
of his stockholders. Let's have
dram" Bulker sat back and stared
as through a mist at his companion.
enjoying the effect OF his disclosure.
O'Neil was indeed impressed. more
deeply than his informant dreamed
Out OF the lips OF drunken man had
come n hint which set his nerves to
iingling. He knew Ills well, he knew
the caliber OF the Englishman, and II
plan was already leaping in his brain
whereby he might save the 8. X. and ~
| 1t lacked an hour OF midnight when
| O'Neil escaped from Bulker and reach
| ell his room. Once inside he seized the
| telephone and rang up hotel after no
| tel, inquiring for the English capital
| list, but without result. After a mo-
ment's consideration he took his hat
| and gloves and went out The matter
| did not permit or delay. Not only were
his own needs imperative, but If Poult-
ney ILLS had come from London To
confer with his rivals there was little
time TO spare.
| Remembering the Englishman's hab
its, O'Neil turned up the avenue 10
another fashionable hotel where he
asked for the manager, whom he well
| knew.
Yes, Mr.. Ills is here" he was In.
formed, "but he's registered under a
| different name. No doubt he'll be glad
to see you, however"
A moment later Murray recognized
the voice OF Ills valet over the wire
and greeted him by name. Another
brief delay and the capitalist himself
was nj the phone.
Come right up" he said, and O'Nei
replaced the receiver with a sigh OF re-
lief.
Ills greeted him warmly. for THEN
relations had been close.
Lucky you found me, he said. "I'n
going back on the next sailing"
Have you signed up with the Are
tic Navigation company" Murray In
quired, and the other started.
Bless me. What do you meang"
His caller laughed. 81 see YOU haven't
| don't think you will. either, after
you've talked with me"
Without the tremor Of an eyelasl
Ills exclaimed
My word. What are YOU drivm-
att
THAT agreement over freight rate
of course"
The Britou eyed him for moment
then carefully closed the door lcadin-
from his sitting room and seating him
SELF. liz cigar
What do you know about that mai
ter" ne asked quietly.
about all there is to know -cnougi
at least to appreciate your feelings"
- BATTERED myself that my affair
were private. Where did You get You
Information
I'll tell You if you insist. althou-
I'd rather not There's no danger q
is becoming public"
Ills showed his relief. I'm glad
You sa-c mo start Awful fix For
man 10 be I'm Why. I'm here under al
assumed namc. Fancy. But III
waved his hand in gesture whlcl
showed his acceptance OF the inevita
bic
you haven't made your new agree
mcntf"
I'm to meet Blum and Capron to
morrow
why didn't you take the 5. X. an'
y. when | cabled you last month";"
81 couldn't But what has that TO d
with The natter"
Don't ycu see? It's so plain 10 m
that ! can't understand how you failel
to realize the value the necessity o
buying my road"
Explain. please"
Gladly. The North Pass and Yukoi
is paying a fabulous blackmai 10 tin
river lines 70 escape a ruinous raj
war"
Right. It's blackmail. as you say.
Under the present agreement yo
handle the Dawson freight and kee
out OF the lower river. They take tn
whole Tanana valley and lower Wv
kon.
Correct"
"Didn't II occur TO you that the s.
and y. which starts 400 miles west q
the North Pass and taps the Tanan
valley. can 30 used 10 put the rive
steamers Of that section OUT Of bus
ness
Lets have a look at the map" NJ
Ills hurried into an adjoining rooI
aud returned with huge chart. whir
he unrolled upon the table To &C.
You The truth. never looked at tn
propo~itiOn from that angle. Our pee