be fooled by that Trinidad Redwood Timber gang.

(3) The N. C. O. was going to make a mighty bluff, even to the extent
of applying for a franchise to run over the city streets of Sequoia.
Hence Ogilvy's visit to Mayor Poundstone--doubtless on the advice of
Bryce Cardigan. Hence, also, his visit to young Henry Poundstone,
whom he had doubtless engaged as his legal representative in order to
ingratiate himself with the young man's father. Coarse work!

(4) Ogilvy had carried a small leather bag to and from Henry
Poundstone's office. That bag was readily explained. It had contained
a bribe in gold coin and young Henry had been selected as the go-
between. That meant that Mayor Poundstone had agreed to deliver the
franchise--for a consideration; and like the smooth scoundrel he was,
he wanted his bit in gold coin, which could not be marked without the
marks being discovered! Ogilvy had called first on the Mayor to
arrange the details; then he had called on the Mayor's son to
complete the transaction.

(5) If a franchise had been arranged for and the bribe already
delivered, that meant the prompt and unadvertised commencement of
operations. Where (the Colonel asked himself) would these operations
begin? Why, close to the waterfront, where materials could be landed
from the steamer that brought them to Sequoia. At whose mill-dock
would those materials be discharged? Why, Cardigan's dock, of course.
Ogilvy had probably called first on Cardigan to arrange that detail.
Yes, the N. C. O. was going to carry its monumental bluff to the
point of building a mile of track through town. ... No--no, they
wouldn't spend that much money on a bluff; they wouldn't bribe
Poundstone unless the road was meant. And was it a common carrier,