Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V.
Onlyitsrighteousnesshadmadehiswrathterrible;onlythejusticeofhisangerhadmadehimfeared.Nowthefoundationwasgonefromunderhisfeet;hehadknockeditawayhimself.Threetimesfeeblewashewhosequarrelwasunjust.Beforethiscountryeditor,thispaidspeakeroftheRailroad,hestood,convicted.Themanhadhimathismercy.Thedetectedbribercouldnotresentaninsult.Genslingerrose,smoothinghishat.
“Well,”hesaid,“ofcourse,youwanttimetothinkitover,andyoucan’traisemoneylikethatonshortnotice.I’llwaittillFridaynoonofthisweek.WebegintosetSaturday’spaperataboutfour,Fridayafternoon,andtheformsarelockedabouttwointhemorning.Ihope,”headded,turningbackatthedooroftheroom,“thatyouwon’tfindanythingdisagreeableinyourSaturdaymorning’Mercury,’Mr.Derrick.”
Hewentout,closingthedoorbehindhim,andinamoment,Magnusheardthewheelsofhisbuckboardgratingonthedriveway.
ThefollowingmorningbroughtalettertoMagnusfromGethings,oftheSanPuebloranch,whichwassituatedveryclosetoVisalia.TheletterwastotheeffectthatallaroundVisalia,upontheranchesaffectedbytheregradeoftheRailroad,menwerearminganddrilling,andthatthestrengthoftheLeagueinthatquarterwasundoubted.“Buttorefer,”continuedtheletter,“toamostpainfulrecollection.
