Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/264

 fountain into his home city, and he’ll have the next election go his way as he always has in the past.”

“Wal, wal, I’m afraid ye’re right,” admitted Abner. “He was shrewd enough to measure all his chances before going into this. He’ll laugh at us. And once he wins in this he’ll be after the company with a sharp stick. Of course Hatton is in a sweat, because it may mean his job. President Thaxter won’t stand for any bungling. Do ye think I’ll be troubled if I go up there?”

“No; not so far as Nace is concerned if he is sure you’ll find nothing. And yes, if he’s left the matter to the discretion of some of his understrappers and Big Nick has any say. Of course if Nick should swear he was hired to set the fire by Nace or one of his agents it would look black for Nace, if the half-breed is shrewd enough to know that he may use it as a lever in compelling Nace’s gang to aid him in getting his revenge. Just how far those men would go I do not know. But I’d feel better if men instead of those two boys were going with you.”

“There’s no limit to the lengths them varmints will go,” said Abner soberly. “Hasn’t Nick repeatedly tried to murder us? I guess