An absurd law sent out the commissioners, the
politicians appointed them, and both had fat pickings. The directors
likewise played both ends against the middle; they received the
money from the stock sales and loans; they paid it out to the
construction companies; and as they employed and owned these
companies the money returned to their own pockets. But more than one
director was fired by the spirit of the project--the good to be
done--the splendid achievement--the trade to come from across the
Pacific. The building of the road meant more to some of them than a
mere fortune.
Warburton was the lion of this group, and he roared down the
dissension. Then with a whirl he grasped Neale round the shoulders
and shoved him face to face with the others.
"Here's the kind of man we want on this job!" he shouted, with red
face and bulging jaw. "His name's Neale. I've heard of some of his
surveys. You've all seen him face this council. That only,
gentlemen, is the spirit which can build the U. P. R. Let's push him
up. Let's send him to Washington with those figures. Let's break
this damned idiotic law for appointing commissioners to undo the
work of efficient men."
Opportunity was again knocking at Neale's door.
Allison Lee arose in the flurry, and his calm, cold presence, the
steel of his hard gray eyes, and the motion of his hand entitled him
to a voice.
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