Putnam patriot., 1916-09-01


 up now. and figure hes over here to renew it.
 You're talking Greek. said O'Neil bat his eagerness was manifest
 T s'posed YOU knew The North Pass has been paying blackmail to he YuksH steamboat companies for three years. When gou built the line it prae- tieaIiy put 'em out of the Dawson mar ker. understaud:'
 .Of course
 Now that NIr. BuIker's mind was running along well worn grooves his iHtoxleatioa became less apparent
 Those Frisco steamboat men got to- .ether and started a rate war against me railroad They hauled freight C Dawson by way of St 3Ifchaels at a JOSS. Of course His and his crowd had to meet compplitiuu, and fl nearly broke 'em tbe first two seasons. Gee tHey were tHe m8d ones, Finally they haed up au zIeameut-had to or go bust-aud If course ibe Native Sons pat f ever our English cousins. They agreed to restore the old rate and each side promised to pay the other q royalty of S10 ton on all the freight it hauled 10 Dawson and up river points, You can guess Che result. caq't you: The steamboat companies let His haul all the freight and sat back on their launches and took their prof it. For every ton he hauled lie slipped 'em ten round American dollars, stamp cd with the Goddess of Liberty. Oh. it was soft, When they had him fairly tied up they drydocked their steam boats. to save wear and tear. He paid 'em d thousand dollars d day for three years If that ain't blackmail it's first cousin to it by marriage"
 Didn't thd interstate commerce com mission get wise."
 -Certainly not It looks wise. but 1t never gets wise. Oh. believe me, Poult- ney His is hopping mad. I s'pose he's over here now to renew the arrange ment for another three years on behalf of his stockholders. Let's have q dram. Bulker sat back and stared as through. q mist at his companion enjoying the effect of his disclosure.
 O.Neu was indeed impressed, more deeply than his informant dreamed. out of the lips of a drunken man had come hint which set his nerves to tinsling. He knew His well, he knew the caliber of the Englishman, and a plan Was already leaping in his brain whereby Ike might save the $. R- and \. II lacked an hour Of midnight when 0-Neil escaped from Bulker and reach aa lis room Once inside he seized the telephone and rang up hotel after ho- tel iuquiring for the English capital lst. but without result. After a mo meut's conSi leration he took his hat and gloves and went out. The matter did not permit of delay. Not only were his own needs imperative, but if Poult- hey His had come from London to confer with lis rivals there was little fiIne t0 spare.
 Remembering the Englishman's hab- Hs. OtNeH turned up the avenue to another fashionable hotel. where he asked for the maRazcr, whom he well knew
 Yes. Mir. His is here, he was in formed but he's reglterel under q different name. No d0Gbt he'll be glad 10 see you. however.
 \ moment later Murray recognized the voice of IlIis' valet over the wire and greeted him by name. Another brief delay and fhe eapitaiisr himself was at the phone.
 Come right up.' he said. and O'Neil replaced the receiver with sish of re lief.
 His greeted him warmly. fer their relations had tech clese.
 Lucky you found me" he said m going back 0n the next saiIing-
 Have yeu signed up with tbe Are lie Navigation company Murray iu- lutred, and The other started.
 "BIess me. What ds Eoa meaHE'
 His caller laughed. T see youbaven {. l dent think you will either. after you'ye talked rith ne
 Without the tremor of an eyelash His ezclaimel
 My wogl. What are you driving ate
 That agreement over freight rates. of course.
 The BrBon ege1 hin for a moment. then carefCLlv closed the door leading fr0ta his si1 ing room and. seating him self, lit a ci-ar-
 w hat do you know about that mat fer:@ he asked quietly.
 ~Aboat all rAere is 10 know-en0ugh al least to appreciate your feelings.
 T nactered myself that my affairs were private where did you get your informatiom =
 Tn teIi y0u if you insist. although I'd rather nef There's no danger of its becoming f1lblie.
 His showed his relief. "I'm glad You gave he I start. Awful fix for man to be in Why. I'm fere under an assumed name. Fancy, But He waved his hand fin A gesture which showed his acceptance of the inevita- bic.
 You haven't made your new agree mentr-
 I'm to meet Blum and caproa to- morrow"
 Why didn't you take the s. F. anS \. when I cabled you last month";
 T couldn't. But what has that to dc with the matteTT'
 Don't you sect It's 90 plain to me that can't understand how you failed b realize the value-the necessity or buying my road"
 Explain. please"
 I U.vE~r Is paying q fabulous blaekmaH to the