Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
ButIcan’ttakeadvantageofthatriseinvaluesolongasyouwon’tsell,solongasIdon’townit.You’reblockingme.”
“But,accordingtoyou,therailroadcan’ttakeadvantageoftheriseinanycase.Accordingtoyou,youcansellfortwentydollars,butwecanonlygettwoandahalf.”
“Whomadeitworthtwenty?”criedAnnixter.“I’veimprovedituptothatfigure.Genslingerseemstohavethatideainhisnut,too.Doyoupeoplethinkyoucanholdthatland,untaxed,forspeculativepurposesuntilitgoesuptothirtydollarsandthensellouttosomeoneelse—sellitoverourheads?YouandGenslingerweren’tinofficewhenthosecontractsweredrawn.Youaskyourboss,youaskS.Behrman,heknows.TheGeneralOfficeispledgedtoselltousinpreferencetoanyoneelse,fortwoandahalf.”
“Well,”observedRugglesdecidedly,tappingtheendofhispencilonhisdeskandleaningforwardtoemphasisehiswords,“we’renotsellingNOW.That’ssaidandsigned,Mr.Annixter.”
“Whynot?Come,spititout.What’sthebuncogamethistime?”
“Becausewe’renotready.Here’syourcheck.”
“Youwon’ttakeit?”
“No.”
“I’llmakeitacashpayment,moneydown—thewholeofit—payabletoCyrusBlakeleeRuggles,fortheP.andS.W.”
“No.”
“Thirdandlasttime.”
“No.”
“Oh,gotothedevil!”
“Idon’tlikeyourtone,Mr.Annixter,”returnedRuggles,flushingangrily.“Idon’tgiveacursewhetheryoulikeitornot,”retortedAnnixter,risingandthrustingthecheckintohispocket,“butneveryoumind,Mr.
