Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           TherewasnodenyingthefactthatforOsterman,Broderson,AnnixterandDerrick,S.Behrmanwastherailroad.

           “Mr.Derrick,good-morning,”hecriedashecameup.“Good-morning,Harran.Gladtoseeyouback,Mr.Derrick.”Heheldoutathickhand.

           Magnus,headandshouldersabovetheother,tall,thin,erect,lookeddownuponS.Behrman,inclininghishead,failingtoseehisextendedhand.

           “Good-morning,sir,”heobserved,andwaitedforS.Behrman’sfurtherspeech.

           “Well,Mr.Derrick,”continuedS.Behrman,wipingthebackofhisneckwithhishandkerchief,“Isawinthecitypapersyesterdaythatourcasehadgoneagainstyou.”

           “Iguessitwasn’tanygreatnewstoYOU,”commentedHarran,hisfacescarlet.“IguessyouknewwhichwayUlsteenwasgoingtojumpafteryourveryfirstinterviewwithhim.Youdon’tliketobesurprisedinthissortofthing,S.Behrman.”

           “Now,youknowbetterthanthat,Harran,”remonstratedS.Behrmanblandly.“Iknowwhatyoumeantoimply,butIain’tgoingtoletitmakemegetmad.IwantedtosaytoyourGovernor—Iwantedtosaytoyou,Mr.Derrick—asonemantoanother—lettingalonefortheminutethatwewereonoppositesidesofthecase—thatI’msorryyoudidn’twin.Yoursidemadeagoodfight,butitwasinamistakencause.That’sthewholetrouble.Why,youcouldhavefiguredoutbeforeyoueverwentintothecasethatsuchratesareconfiscationofproperty.Youmustallowus—mustallowtherailroad—afairinterestontheinvestment.Youdon’twantustogointothereceiver’shands,doyounow,Mr.