He was a bright
looking young fellow with an alert air and a rather humorous
smile. His father was a semi-invalid; but Tom possessed all the
mental vigor and muscular energy that a young man should have. He
had not neglected his Athletic development while he made the best
use of his mental powers.
"Believe me," said the visitor, quite as harshly as before, "I
begin to doubt the solidity of all walls. I know that I have been
watched, and spied upon, and that eavesdroppers have played hob
with our affairs.
"Of late, there has been little planned in the directors' room
of the H. & P. A. that has not seeped out and aided the enemy in
foreseeing our moves."
"The enemy?" repeated Mr. Swift, with mild surprise.
"That's it exactly! The enemy!" replied Mr. Bartholomew
shortly. "The H. & P. A. has got the fight of its life on its
hands. We had a hard enough time fighting nature and the elements
when we laid the first iron for the road a score of years ago.
Now I am facing a fight that must grow fiercer and fiercer as
time goes on until either the H. & P. A. smashes the opposition,
or the enemy smashes it."
"What enemy is this you speak of?" asked Tom, much interested.
"The proposed Hendrickton & Western. A new road, backed by new
capital, and to be officered and built by new men in the
construction and railroad game.
"Montagne Lewis--you've heard of him, I presume--is at the head
of the crowd that have bought the little old Hendrickton &
Western, lock, stock and barrel.
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