Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter III
”
Broderson,shiftinguneasilyinhisplace,fingeringhisbeardwithavague,uncertaingesture,spokeagain:
“ItwouldbetheCHANCEofthem—ourCommissioners—sellingoutagainstthecertaintyofShelgrimdoingusup.Thatis,”hehastenedtoadd,“ALMOSTacertainty;prettynearacertainty.”
“Ofcourse,itwouldbeachance,”exclaimedOsterman.“Butit’scometothepointwherewe’vegottotakechances,riskabigstaketomakeabigstrike,andriskisbetterthansurefailure.”
“Icanbenopartytoaschemeofavowedbriberyandcorruption,Mr.Osterman,”declaredMagnus,aringofseverityinhisvoice.“Iamsurprised,sir,thatyoushouldevenbroachthesubjectinmyhearing.”
“And,”criedAnnixter,“itcan’tbedone.”
“Idon’tknow,”mutteredHarran,“maybeitjustwantsalittlesparklikethistofirethewholetrain.”
Magnusglancedathissoninconsiderablesurprise.HehadnotexpectedthisofHarran.Butsogreatwashisaffectionforhisson,soaccustomedhadhebecometolisteningtohisadvice,torespectinghisopinions,that,forthemoment,afterthefirstshockofsurpriseanddisappointment,hewasinfluencedtogiveacertaindegreeofattentiontothisnewproposition.Heinnowaycountenancedit.AtanymomenthewaspreparedtoriseinhisplaceanddenounceitandOstermanboth.
