Part 14 (1/2)
”But any one can see much farther than he can hear,” d.i.c.k protested.
”You surely don't expect the impossible from me, do you?”
”I don't expect anything from you, sir,” and Mr. Sinclair glared at his son. ”I have long since given up expecting. All you care for is to have a good time riding around in the car, attending parties, and looking for the prettiest girls. If you were as much interested in business as you are in pleasure you would be of some use to me. But I guess you'll have to get a hustle on mighty goon, though, from the look of things. I won't be able to indulge you in your idleness much longer.”
”Why, Dad, what do you mean?” d.i.c.k enquired. ”You're not going to throw me overboard, are you?”
”Oh, no, I won't do it. But there are others who will, or I'm very much mistaken.”
”Who--why?” the young man stammered. ”I don't understand you, Dad.”
”I mean that new Light and Power Company which has been formed. That is what will do it.”
”Oh, is that all?” and d.i.c.k breathed a sigh of relief. ”You certainly did give me a jolt. I thought you were speaking of something real.
But that company's all a hoax, isn't it? Tommy Flowers said it was nothing but a scare to force you to cut your rates. The whole thing is so mysterious, so people say, that they consider it a put up job to force your hand. Why, the names of the men who form the company are not even known.”
”H'm, that's all that people know about what is going on,” Mr. Sinclair retorted. ”That company is no hoax, mark my word. It means business of a most serious nature, and it is getting to work, too. Don't you live in a fool's paradise, boy. If you do, there will be a rude awakening, and sooner perhaps than you expect.”
”What, have you heard anything of late, Dad?” d.i.c.k asked.
”Well, I have heard enough, and it is more than hear-say at that. A strong company has been formed to utilise the water of Break Neck Falls for light and power to supply not only the city but the entire country.
The scheme is a big one, almost gigantic, I should say. And there seems to be plenty of money back of it, too. It is an English concern which has recently opened an office in the city.
”What is the purpose of such a company working here?” d.i.c.k questioned.
”One would naturally think that a city much larger than ours would offer more inducements.”
Mr. Sinclair pushed back his chair from the table, and lighted a cigar.
”That is one of the things which puzzles me,” he at length replied.
”Why a company with large capital should build a big plant at the falls to supply light and power in such a limited locality, is more than I can understand. I cannot see how it will pay even if it gets full control.”
”Who is in charge of the city office?” d.i.c.k asked.
”A man by the name of Westcote. He is an Englishman, so I believe. He seems to have full charge of everything. He must have been the man you saw at the Sign of the Maple with Tim Parkin, for he has a daughter with him, who recently came to the city.”
”But what has Spuds to do with the concern, and how did he come to meet this man Westcote?”
”He is evidently in his employ. But where he met him I do not know.
Perhaps Lois can tell us,” and he glanced around upon his daughter.
Lois suddenly started and looked keenly at her father as if she had not heard aright. This was the first time that he had ever hinted at any interest on her part in Jasper. A feeling of resentment welled up in her heart.
”Why should I know?” she enquired, ”and what reason have you for asking me such a question?”
Mr. Sinclair, however, did not deign to make any explanation, but puffed away at his cigar. Lois took this as a direct insult and started to leave the table. She wished to get away by herself that she might think it all over.
”And where does old Crazy David come in?” her father asked. ”What interest has he in that concern?”