Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/403

 Hatton gasped, although expecting something exorbitant. “Whew!” he whistled. “A fifth of a million, eh? Why, you know the land can’t be worth anywhere near that.”

“Remember that fifty thousand is for slander and the like,” grinned Nace.

“And if we refuse you will sue and be beaten and will end with the timber on your hands,” reminded Hatton.

“Guess I can find a purchaser all right,” grinned Nace, thoroughly enjoying the situation.

Hatton’s gaze hardened. “And where, pray?”

“I have an idea the Consolidated Pulp company wants to break into Maine. It’s got big holdings in New Hampshire.”

The name of this company was a red flag to flatten, as it was the only prospective rival the Great Northern had. But he showed no sign of his rage as he calmly remarked, “Well, there is no hurry. The suit can’t be called in court till the fall term. My cruisers will return shortly and tell me what they find. We might not want the timber anyway. I don’t even know as we could get it out from the ridge, or how much it will cut.”

Nace laughed coarsely, and jeered, “I’ll bet