Arizona state miner., 1926-08-28
CHAPTER III-Continued

THAT'S a Big Business crowd. Morse,
on the right of Cox, is head of the
Lumber ring, then comes Towle, presi-
dent Of the Shutdown railroad. Mar
Inns next, he opens up big tracts for
colonist development. Lawler Is an
oil magnate and the last one Is Win
ton, manager Of the Golden Light and
Power company. They come close to
running Golden and a good share of
the state as we'll. don't know how
their bank balances stand, but you
can bet that the six Of them represent
several times that number of million
dollars In active circulation with their
interests"
Caleb regarded Cox with special at
tention. He knew that he owned big
land holdings, controlled rich mines
and was the president and handspring
of the Crystal Springs Water company
that supplied Golden with it's CONNER
cial and civic measure of the vital
fluid.
He saw a man who might have been
anywhere from fifty to sixty, tall,
spare, with close-trimmed hair gray
above the ears, clean-shaven, with
fine forehead and a well-shaped skull,
a projecting nose, keen gray eyes,
genial mouth and a firm chin. He
told many of the stories that met with
the greatest laughter, for the group
was a care-free one, for the moment
at least. Their luncheon was almost
over and, when Cox rose at its con-
cIuSion, he did so with an ease that
spoke of muscles still in prime condi-
ton. If Caleb had wanted to sum up
the man in one crisp word he would
have chosen the adjective "f1t."
"No need to hurry" Baxter said.
''The old boys son Is coming up this
afternoon from Los Angeles and I
know Cox has arranged for a dinner
here tonight. If you can get in right
with Cox, Cal, the going should be
easy. 1 can give you the introduc-
ton. After that It's up to you. Cox
doesn't take me very seriously"
Leaving the dining room, they met
Cox alone, coming from the direction
of the clubs telephone booths. Bax-
ter seized the moment.
81 want a friend of mine to meet
you," he said to the older man, speak
Ing with the frank facility that was
one of his greatest assets, met by Cox
with sort of half-tolerant geniality.
'"This is Caleb Warner, one-time class
mate of mine at Columbia, civil engi-
neer, following the Star of Empire
westward in the hope of hitching his
wagon to it. Don't let my friendship
with him prejudice you against him.
He plays ant to my grasshopper."
Cox smiled as he gripped Caleb's
hand cordially enough, giving him a
direct glance that, in kindly but deter
mined fashion, seemed to measure
him.
"Glad to meet you," he said. "Plenty
of room out here for civil engineers.
Any speciality"
"Water," Caleb answered promptly.
The eyes of Cox seemed to harden a
little, to hold a hint Of suspicion at
the pat answer that might have been
calculated to awaken interest.
"Done much at it,?
"a factory dam or two. One reser-
voir for town supply. Back East. The
rest Of my practical experience has
been along other lines for the last
two years but 1 am especially inter
ested in water-engineering and the
West seemed to be the place."
Looking for a job?' Cox fred out
che questions brlskly, all the while
covering Caleb with the battery of his
eyes.
"For any real opportunity, Mr.. Cox"
A servant came up with a salver
and presented it to Baxter. He
glanced at the f1lled-in form-message
and excused himself
you'll pardon me. I'm wanted on
the phone. Cox looked after him with
q humorous qulrk to his mouth.
There goes the grasshopper," he
saiA ~N0w then these last two years