The Forbidden Way

  *CHAPTER X*

  *TRITON OF THE MINNOWS*

  Mr. Janney's breakfast guests had gone, and, having seen the last of thecountry wagons depart, he went into the office next to the smoking room,where Cornelius Bent sat awaiting him. Curtis Janney brought a sheaf oftelegrams and letters which he laid on the desk. Then he opened ahumidor, offered his guest a cigar, took one himself, and sat down.

  "Well, what did you hear?" asked General Bent. Janney took a puff or twoat his cigar, then frowned at the papers on the table.

  "A great deal," he muttered, "both bad and good. I have here reportsfor the whole week from our men in Denver, Pueblo, Kinney, and Saguache.The pressure from Abington and the Chicago and Utah has finally broughtNoakes into line. It was something of a job, for he's tied up in one ofWray's development companies, and it has cost some money. Abington hadto give him a big bonus for the stock in the Denver and Western.Collins and Hardy came around all right, and it only remains to put thescrews on to make Wray show his hand."

  "Have you decided on that?" asked the General.

  "No, I haven't."

  Curtis Janney took up a letter which he had separated from the others.

  "You remember we thought his planning this new line to Pueblo wasfinancial suicide and that, if we gave Wray enough rope, he'd hanghimself. We didn't even see the use of throwing the usual impedimentsin the way."

  Bent nodded.

  "Well, they're building it."

  "It's only a bluff."

  "I'm not so sure. My last reports show that the money is in thetreasury--some of it is Wray's, but most of it has come from Utah,California, and Washington even. The Denver and California is backingthe whole project, and tent towns are springing up along the line of thesurvey. Those people out there believe in Wray and are following himlike sheep."

  "They wouldn't follow him long if we found a way to stop him," said theGeneral grimly. "I've seen those stampedes before, but they always cometo an end. What does Lamson report?"

  "The Denver and California seems set on this thing--the more so as itpromises to be a success without much help from them."

  General Bent got up and paced the floor with quick, nervous strides.

  "Why, Curtis," he said, "you seem to see unusual trouble in the way.The case presents no greater difficulties than the Seemuller plant did,or the Myers and Ott, but we got them both in the end."

  "There is a difference."

  "Where?"

  "The man himself. He'll fight to the last ditch. That jaw wasn't givenhim altogether as an ornament. I'm sorry we can't find his weak point.A man who looks as far ahead as he does is a good one to tie to."

  "But he may not want any strings on him. The other night at dinner atmy house he was boasting of his independence. He didn't know how hot itmade me."

  "Yes, he did. That's why he did it. He said the same thing hereyesterday. But I wasn't deceived. It was all a part of his game. Ithink in a game of bluff he can make old gamesters like you and me situp and do some guessing." Janney knocked the ash from his cigar andlaughed.

  "Cornelius, our fine scheme hasn't worked out--not so far. When Wrayfirst came in the office, you sized him up as a social climber. But, ifyou think we are going to bewilder him by our clubs, the opera, andsocial connections, you're reckoning without your host."

  General Bent smiled tolerantly.

  "He assimilates surprisingly well," he said with a reflective nod. "Forall his Western manner, he never gives the impression of beingill-at-ease. I'll say that for him. Why, do you know, I strolled in onCaroline the other afternoon on my way uptown and found him teaching herhow to play pinochle."

  "Mrs. Rumsen?"

  "Yes. She'll be making him the rage before the winter is out. But hetakes it all as a matter of course. Indeed, I think he fancies himselfour equal in any matter." He paused and then rose. "But he must provethat. The Amalgamated must own that smelter."

  "Oh, yes," said Janney, following him with his eyes. "It will, ofcourse. We can't have him underbidding us. It's lucky he hasn't triedit yet. But that's the danger from a man with both ability and ambition.And we can't run the risk of letting him get too far."

  There was a silence of some moments, which Cornelius Bent improved byrunning over the correspondence. When he had finished he tossed theletters abruptly on the table, and walked to the window. "Poor Cort,"he muttered, "he lost us the whole thing. I wonder what's the matterwith that boy. He always seems to miss it somehow. I can never make abusiness man of him--like you or myself--or like Jeff Wray."

  "He's cost us a pretty penny," growled Janney.

  The General still stood by the window, his chin deep in his chest, hislong fingers twitching behind his back.

  "Jeff Wray must pay for that, Curtis. If we can't beat him in one waywe must choose another. Jeff Wray stole the 'Lone Tree.' He trespassedon our property in the dead of the night, did violence to one of ouremployes, and bluffed Cort into signing that lease. If there was anylaw in the state of Colorado, he'd be serving his term at Canon City.But I'll get him yet! I will, by God! If he'd come in this office nowand hold you up for the money in your safe he'd be a thief. What is thedifference?"

  "Just this: He was successful, and he left no loose ends behind him."

  "I've thought at times, Janney, that you lack some interest in thisfight."

  "Why? Because I take the precaution to get all the information Ican--and because my information turns out to be unfavorable to ourplans? You want to crush Wray. Very well. I have no objections. Crushhim if you can. But it would hardly do to let him crush _us_."

  Bent turned and examined his host curiously. Then he laughed. It wasn'tpretty laughter, and it cracked dryly, like the sound of a creakingdoor.

  "Upon my word, Curtis, you amaze me," he said.

  "Very well," put in Janney coolly. "But think it over. Don't be hasty.If he puts that road through and starts the game of underbidding on theraw product, we'll be in for a long fight--and an expensive one. Idon't think the Company wants that now. McIntyre doesn't, I know. AndWarrington, as usual, is for temporizing."

  "Temporizing?" Cornelius Bent's jaws snapped viciously. "This is not acase where personal preferences can be considered. There's a greatprinciple involved. Are we going to let an upstart like Jeff Wray--apetty real estate operator from an obscure Western town--come into ourfield with a few stolen millions and destroy the plans of an organizedbusiness which controls the output of practically all the greatgold-producing states--a company whose sound methods have brought orderout of chaos, have given employment to an army of people; whose patentshave simplified processes, reduced the cost of production, and kept theprice of the metal where it is satisfactory both to the mines and themarket? Are we going to see all this jeopardized by a wild-catter, atin-horn gambler, a fellow with neither decency nor moral principle?Temporize like Warrington if you like, but the Board of the Amalgamatedmust make a fight for the Wray smelter--or accept my resignation."

  Bent stalked the floor swiftly, biting off the ends of his sentences asthough they were parts of Wray's anatomy, clenching his fingers as hemight have done had they encircled Wray's neck. Curtis Janney followedhim with his gaze, his brows tangled and his lips compressed, aware ofthe seriousness of the situation. The resignation of Cornelius Bentfrom the Board of the Amalgamated was a contingency not for a moment tobe considered.

  "That, of course, is impossible," he said. "We're all behind you to adollar if you take that stand. But couldn't it be wise to have Wray inand talk to him? We might learn something that's not on the cards."

  "Oh, yes, if you like," growled the General, "but you're wasting time.I've got my idea of what that property is worth. I'll make him theoffer. If he refuses"--and his lower jaw worked forward--"it will bewar--to the last ditch."

  Curtis Janney pressed a bell, and a servant appeared.

  "Has Mr. Wray returned?"
>
  "Yes, sir," said the man.

  "Tell him General Bent would like to see him here."

  The man departed, and General Bent with an effort relaxed the muscles ofhis face and sat. Both gentlemen looked up quickly when the servantreturned a few moments later.

  "I delivered your message, sir," he said. "Mr. Wray asked me to saythat he is engaged at the present moment and will join you later."

  General Bent's brows drew together angrily, but Janney inquired suavely,"Where did you find him, Carey?"

  "In the conservatory, sir, with Mrs. Cheyne."

  Janney smiled, but suppressed Bent's sudden exclamation with a wave ofthe hand.

  "You may bring in the whisky, then tell him that General Bent and I willawait his convenience."

  "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

  "Confound his impudence!" muttered the General, biting at his lip.

  "All for effect, Cornelius," said Janney. "That fellow is an artist.He's saving his face for the ordeal."

  "Let him save his neck," sneered Bent.

  Janney stretched his legs forward and smoked comfortably. "Break it ifyou like, Cornelius," he said. "I can't, you know, so long as he's myguest."

  Wray sauntered in some moments later, accompanied by Rita Cheyne.General Bent looked up with a scowl, which the lady's gay assurancefailed to dismiss.

  "May I come in, too?" she asked. "I'm wild to hear how big men talkbusiness. Won't you let me, Cousin Cornelius? I'm positively thirstyfor knowledge--business knowledge. You' don't mind, do you, Mr.Janney?"

  "You can't be interested."

  Wray laughed. "I'm the original woolly Western lamb being led to theshearing, Mrs. Cheyne----"

  "The golden fleece!" she put in. "I know. But I'm not going to allowit. You're not going to let them--are you, Jeff Wray?"

  "I never knew a lamb that had any opinions on the matter," he saideasily.

  The General got to his feet testily.

  "Rita, this won't do at all. We wanted to speak to Wray privately----"

  "Oh! You needn't mind me. I'm positively bursting with other people'sconfidences. But I'm really the soul of discretion. Please let mestay." She went over to Curtis Janney and laid her hands on hisshoulders appealingly. "I'll sell you Jack-in-the-Box if you will, Mr.Janney," she said. "You know you've wanted that horse all season."

  Janney laughed. "That's a great temptation--but this isn't my affair,"and he glanced at General Bent, who stood frowning at them from thewindow.

  "Leave the room at once, Rita!" said the General sternly. "You'reinterfering here. Can't you see----?"

  Mrs. Cheyne dropped her hands.

  "Oh, if you take that tone, of course." She moved toward the door,turning with her hand on the knob--"I think you're horrid--both of you.I hope your lamb turns out to be a lion, and eats you up." And, with alaugh and a toss of her head, she went out, banging the door behind her.

  Jeff Wray and Curtis Janney laughed, but the frown on General Bent'sface had not relaxed for an instant. When the door had closed he satdown in his chair again, while Janney offered cigars. Jeff took onewith a sudden serious air, meant perhaps as a tribute to the attitudeand years of his fellow guest.

  Curtis Janney, looking from one to the other, searched each face forsigns of doubt or indetermination and found in each the same deeply seteyes, straight brow, firm, thin mouth, square jaw, and heavy chin whichhe recognized as belonging to those of this world who know how to fightand who do not know when they are beaten. Wray's features were heavier,the lines in the General's face more deeply bitten by the acid of Time,but their features were so much alike that, had Janney not known thething was impossible, it might have been easy to imagine some kind ofcollateral or even more intimate family relationship.

  "You asked me to come here," said Wray, easily apologetic. "What can Ido for you, General Bent?"

  Bent's deeply set eyes were hidden under his bushy eyebrows, but thelips which held his cigar were flickering in a smile.

  "Yes," he began with a slow, distinct enunciation, which Wray recognizedat once as belonging to his office downtown, "I thought we might talk alittle business, if Mr. Janney doesn't object."

  "Not in the least," said Janney, "but there's no reason why we shouldn'tmix in a little of the Old Thorne," and he handed the decanter to Wray.Cornelius Bent refused.

  "Wray," he went on, "we've been talking about your plant down in theValley. From all we've been able to find out, it's a pretty goodproposition in a small way. But the Amalgamated Reduction Company hasno special interest in acquiring it. That mountain range, in ourjudgment, will never be a big producer. The 'Lone Tree' is the kind ofan exception that one finds only once in a lifetime."

  "And yet we're running on full time," said Wray, with an odd smile. "Ifthe other mines keep up their promise we won't need to buy any more ore,General."

  "The mountains of the West are full of holes that once were promising,Wray--like notes of hand--but they've long since gone to protest."

  Jeff's chin tipped upward the fraction of an inch. "I'm endorsing thesenotes, General. Besides," he added suavely, "you know I'm notoveranxious to sell. When I came into your office it was only with thehope that I might establish friendly relations. That, I'm glad to say,I succeeded in doing. Your health, Mr. Janney."

  General Bent refused to be disarmed. "Yes, I know. But friendship andbusiness are two things. Commercially you are in the attitude of arival of the company I represent. Of course"--opulently--"not a seriousrival, but one who must logically be considered in our plans. We didn'tlike your building that smelter, and you could have brought your ore ata fair price to one of our plants in Pueblo or Colorado Springs."

  "Yes--but that interfered with my own plans," said Jeff. "And I havehad them a long time."

  "It's a little late to talk about that," assented Bent. "The plant isthere, the mines are there, and----"

  "Yes. But I don't see how they need bother you. Most of the gold wesend to market comes from the 'Lone Tree.' I haven't handled any orebelow your prices--not yet."

  There was, if possible, the slightest accent on the last words, but Wrayuttered them with a sweet complacency which failed to deceive. Thisyoung fool was threatening--actually threatening the mighty SmeltingTrust. It was so preposterous that General Bent actually laughed--athing he seldom did below Twenty-third Street or when he talked businesselsewhere.

  "No," he said grimly. "I'm glad that didn't seem necessary. It wouldhave been a pity. See here, Wray"--he leaned forward, his face drawn indecisive lines--"let's get to the point. We've both been dodging itvery consistently for a month. You've got some property that may beuseful to us. We've thought enough about it at least to make a fewinquiries about the whole situation--and about you. We could take thatplant under our own management and do a little better than you could. Idon't think the location really warrants it--for the big mine may stoppaying any day and the railroad facilities, you'll admit, are not of thebest. But, if you're willing to sell out at a moderate figure, we mightbuy it. Or, perhaps, you'd like to come in with us and take stock inthe Company. We think a good deal of your ability. There isn't anydoubt that you could make yourself useful to us if you chose."

  "Thanks," said Jeff, with a sip at his Scotch, and then looked out ofthe window. He had caught the meaning of General Bent's casual remarkabout the railroad facilities.

  "Of course," Bent went on, "I don't care to show improper curiosityabout your plans, but if you are willing to meet me in a friendly spiritwe might reach an agreement that would be profitable both to yourcompanies and mine."

  "I'd rather think it was interest than curiosity," said Wray with asmile. "But, unfortunately, I haven't got any plans--further than toget all the ore I can out of 'Lone Tree' and to keep my works busy.Just now I'm pretty happy the way things are going. I've screwed thelid down, and I'm sitting on it, besides--with one eye peeled for thefellow with the screw driver."

  Cornelius Bent
controlled his anger with difficulty. His equality withJeff, as a guest of Curtis Janney, gave Wray some advantages. The easygood nature with which he faced the situation and his amusedindifference to the danger which threatened him put the burden of proofon the General, who experienced the feelings of an emperor who has beenjovially poked in the ribs by the least of his subjects. This was _lesemajeste_. Wray was either a fool or a madman.

  "Has it never occurred to you, Wray," snapped Bent, "that somebody mightcome along with an axe?"

  "Er--no. I hadn't thought of that," he replied quietly.

  "Well, think it over. It's worth your while."

  "Is this a declaration of war?"

  "Oh, no," hastily, "merely a movement for peace."

  Wray took a few puffs at his cigar and looked from Janney to theGeneral, like a man on whom some great truth had suddenly dawned.

  "I had no idea," he said, with a skillfully assumed expression ofwonder, "that the Amalgamated was so desperately anxious as this."

  In drawing aside the curtain, he had still managed to retain histactical advantage. Both older men felt it--Bent more than Janney,because it was he who had shown their hand, while Wray's cards werestill unread.

  The natural response was tolerant amusement, and both of them made it.

  "Anxious?" laughed Bent. "Is the lion anxious when the wolf comesprowling in his jungle? Success has twisted your perspective, my dearWray. The Amalgamated is not anxious--it has, however, a naturalinterest in the financial health of its competitors."

  "But I'm _not_ a competitor. That's just the point. I'm governed by_your_ methods, _your_ plans, _your_ prices. I've been pretty carefulabout that. No, _sir_, I know better than to look for trouble with theAmalgamated."

  "One moment, Wray," put in Janney; "we don't seem to be gettinganywhere. Let's simplify matters. We can get along without your plant,but if we wanted to buy, what would you want for it?"

  "Do you mean the smelter--or all my interests in the Valley?" asked Wrayquickly.

  "The smelter, of course--and the Denver and Saguache Railroad."

  "I don't care to sell--I've got other interests--my Development Company,the coal mines and lumber--they're all a part of the same thing, Mr.Janney, like the limbs of my body--cut one off, and I might bleed todeath."

  "We could give you traffic agreements."

  "I'd rather not. I'll sell--but only as a whole--gold mines, coal,lumber, and all."

  Wray caught General Bent's significant nod.

  "That is my last word, gentlemen," he concluded firmly.

  There was a silence, which Cornelius Bent broke at last.

  "And what is your figure, Mr. Wray?" he asked.

  Jeff Wray reached for the match box, slowly re-lit his cigar, whichemitted clouds of smoke, through which presently came his reply. "Yougentlemen have been kind to me here in New York. I want you to know thatI appreciate it. You've shown me a side of life I never knew existed.I like the West, but I like New York, too. I want to build a house andspend my winters here--I wasn't figuring on doing that just yet--but ifyou really want my interests I'll sell them to you--withoutreservation--every stick and stone of them for thirty millions."

  "Thirty millions?"

  The voices of both men sounded as one, Janney's franklyincredulous--Bent's satirical and vastly unpleasant.

  "Thirty millions!" Bent repeated with a sneer. "Dollars or cents, Mr.Wray?"

  Jeff turned and looked at him with the innocent and somewhat vacuousstare which had learned its utility in a great variety of services.Jeff only meant it as a disguise, but the General thought it impudent.

  "Dollars, sir," said Jeff coolly. "It will pay me that--in time."

  "In a thousand years," roared the General. "The Amalgamated doesn'tfigure on millenniums, Mr. Wray. We don't want your other interests,but we'll buy them--for five million dollars--in cash--and not a centmore. You can sell at that price or--" the General did not see, orrefused to see, the warning glance from Janney--"or be wiped off themap. Is that clear?"

  "I think so, sir," said Wray politely. "Will you excuse me, Mr.Janney?" and bowed himself out of the room.