saying something to General Manager Preston that will make an impression on him. You don't know the man we have to confront. He has a face of flint; he is adamant."
"Nonsense, Peter. He can't be both flint and adamant. They told me at College that these were two different substances, but never mind whether he is one or the other, or both. He is first of all a business man, although there are persons in this country who might dispute that statement, myself among the number. I admit his success in dealing with poor old Sanderson, and a while ago I expressed an admiration for his methods, yet all the same, looking at it more calmly, I think he has paid rather a big price for your little bit of coast railway. Aside from that, the Great Southern itself, under his management, has shown a steadily falling share list, and I believe its stock to-day is rated on the exchange as the lowest of our Home railways, so you see the great Mr. Preston is scarcely in a position to enact the high and mighty magnate over even so wretchedly unbusinesslike a creature as myself."
"You don't know the man," repeated Mackeller, shaking his head.
"Here is all I need to know, Peter. Mr. Preston thinks he has got you in his grasp; thinks that within four days you will be sold out and done for. So long as that idea remains in his mind, I quite admit that nothing you can say will make
