For some years the H. & P. A. had a monopoly of that territory.
Now, as Mr. Bartholomew intimated, it was threatened with such
rivalry from another railroad and other capitalists, that the
H. & P. A. was being looked upon in the financial market as a
shaky investment.
But Tom Swift repeated:
"You do not mean just that, do you, Mr. Bartholomew?"
Mr. Bartholomew, who was a little man physically, rolled around
in his chair to face the young fellow more directly. His own eyes
sparkled in the firelight. His olive face was flushed.
"That is much nearer the truth, young man," he said, somewhat
harshly because of his suppressed emotion, "than I want people at
large to suspect. As I have told your father, I came here to put
all my cards on the table; but I expect the Swift Construction
Company to take anything I may say as said in confidence."
"We quite understand that, Mr. Bartholomew," said the elder
Swift, softly. "You can speak freely. Whether we do business or
not, these walls are soundproof, and Tom and I can forget, or
remember, as we wish. Of course if we take up any work for you,
we must confide to a certain extent in our close associates and
trusted mechanics."
"Humph!" grunted the visitor, turning restlessly again in his
chair. Then he said: "I agree as the necessity of that last
statement; but I can only hope that these walls are soundproof."
"What's that?" demanded Tom, rather sharply.
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