Alpha Book

Everybody else had the same chance; nobody except
Neergard knew enough to take it. Why shouldn't he profit by it?"
"Yes--but if he'd be satisfied to cut it up into lots and do what is
fair--"
"Cut it up into nothing! Man alive, do you suppose the Siowitha people
would let him? They've only a few thousand acres; they've _got_ to
control that land. What good is their club without it? Do you imagine
they'd let a town grow up on three sides of their precious
game-preserve? And, besides, I'll bet you that half of their streams and
lakes take rise on other people's property--and that Neergard knows
it--the Dutch fox!"
"That sort of--of business--that kind of coercion, does not appeal to
me," said Selwyn gravely.
"Then you'd better go into something besides business in this town,"
observed Austin, turning red. "Good Lord, man, where would my Loan and
Trust Company be if we never foreclosed, never swallowed a good thing
when we see it?"
"But you don't threaten people.


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