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300 his advice, should not go without a return. But this action seriously crippled his own resources. About two years ago the Great Southern Railway made him an offer for the line, but with the proviso that they should either buy or lease for ninety-nine years, about three miles of the shore, running more than a thousand feet back into the country. I believe it would kill the old man to part with his line, and as for his land, he will not sell it under any conditions. Besides, the amount the Great Southern Railway wished to pay was comparatively trivial, so the proposal was refused."

"I see. And now the Great Southern Railway has got the old man in a corner, and is going to seize his line, whether or no, and probably most of his land as well?"

"Yes, that is partly the case, but not quite. The affair becomes much more involved than the condition you have outlined, and I may meet some trouble in making it clear."

"It's clear enough now, Peter. You tried to help the old man, and have suddenly found yourself at the end of your tether. Is that true?"

"Yes, that is true."

"Couldn't so shrewd a man as you see that Sir Phillip had got himself into an impossible situation?"

"Oh, it's easy enough to say that now, but we thought we saw a way out."

"Ah! What was the way?"