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The Brigands and saying we don't mean to sell. We shall say that we've overcome all the initial expenses and difficulties connected with the installation of the works, that we are only just beginning to reap our reward, and so on.'

'Then,' continued the Chief, 'we can arrange for it to be proposed in the Council that the Town should purchase the Electric Light Works.'

'But not by one of us four, you know,' said Grinder, with a cunning leer.

'Certainly not. Several members who are not shareholders can do most of the talking. As directors of the company we must pretend to be against selling, and stick out for our own price; and when we do finally consent we must make out that we are sacrificing our private interests for the good of the town. We'll get a committee appointed, we'll have an expert engineer down from London—I know a man that will suit our purpose admirably—we'll pay him a trifle and he'll say whatever we tell him to, and we'll rush the whole business through before you can say "Jack Robinson" and before the ratepayers have time to realise what's being done. Not that we need worry ourselves much about them; most of them take no interest in public affairs. But even if there is something said it won't matter much to us once we've got the money. It'll be a nine days' wonder and then we'll hear no more of it.'

As the Chief ceased speaking the other brigands also remained silent, speechless with admiration of his cleverness.

'Well, what do you think of it?' he asked.

'Think of it!' cried Grinder, enthusiastically, 'I reckon it'll be one of the smartest things we've ever done.'

'Smart ain't the word!' exclaimed Rushton.

'The great thing is,' continued Sweater, 'to get the business properly worked up in the newspapers. I'll see that "The Ananias" and "The Chloroform" are all right, and you must take care that "The Obscurer" backs me up, Grinder.'

'Trust me for that,' said Grinder grimly. The three local papers were run by limited companies, Sweater holding nearly all the shares of 'The Ananias' and 'The Weekly Chloroform,' while Grinder held the same position with regard to 'The Obscurer.'

'I wonder 'ow Dr Weakling will take it,' said Rushton.

'That's what I was thinkin' about,' remarked Didlum. 'Couldn't we arrange to 'ave somebody took bad, in a fit or 263