Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
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Hedelayedafewmomentslonger,tighteningaloosenutonhisforwardwheel,whileHarran,recognisinghisfather’shandwritingononeoftheenvelopes,slititopenandcasthiseyerapidlyoveritspages.
“TheGovernoriscominghome,”heexclaimed,“to-morrowmorningontheearlytrain;wantsmetomeethimwiththeteamatGuadalajara;AND,”hecriedbetweenhisclenchedteeth,ashecontinuedtoread,“we’velostthecase.”
“Whatcase?Oh,inthematterofrates?”
Harrannodded,hiseyesflashing,hisfacegrowingsuddenlyscarlet.
“Ulsteengavehisdecisionyesterday,”hecontinued,readingfromhisfather’sletter.“Heholds,Ulsteendoes,that’grainratesaslowasthenewfigurewouldamounttoconfiscationofproperty,andthat,onsuchabasis,therailroadcouldnotbeoperatedatalegitimateprofit.Asheispowerlesstolegislateinthematter,hecanonlyputtheratesbackatwhattheyoriginallywerebeforethecommissionersmadethecut,anditissoordered.’That’sourfriendS.Behrmanagain,”addedHarran,grindinghisteeth.“Hewasupinthecitythewholeofthetimethenewschedulewasbeingdrawn,andheandUlsteenandtheRailroadCommissionwereasthickasthieves.Hehasbeenupthereallthislastweek,too,doingtherailroad’sdirtywork,andbackingUlsteenup.’Legitimateprofit,legitimateprofit,’”hebrokeout.
