“You can _not_,” says Mark. “The mill is bankrupt. It is closed down now never to open again.” “You did that,” says Mark, “but it will open again, and it will s-s-stay open, and you won’t n-never git our dam till we say so. We’re here to l-listen to any fair offer. But we’re in a p-p-position to m-make demands, and if we’re f-forced, why, we’ll make ’em!” [Illustration: “YOU WON’T NEVER GET OUR DAM TILL WE SAY SO”] “Say, Wiggamore, you tell us we can have the dam in ten days, but how about the site for the power-house?” “That is owned by a deaf old maid and her brother that is a fugitive from justice for stealing a hog. She won’t talk business without him, and he can’t be found. I’ve had men looking for him, but we can’t locate him. That is a trifling matter, and will be straightened up the minute George Piggins is found.” “Um!...” The fat man turned to Mark and says: “You say you are in a position to force us to your terms if you want to. That sounds like talking pretty big, for a kid. What do you mean by it?” “I mean just this, sir, that if I’m wrong about you men, and you aren’t b-big and square and honest like I think, why, I’m g-goin’ to git all I kin out of you, and I’ve got a way to do it!” President James looked at Mark mighty interested, and sort of smiled to himself, and says: “Mark Tidd, for the minute make believe we are a pack of dirty business men. What can you do to us?” “Bust up your whole p-p-power development on that river or m-make you pay what I ask.” “How?” “Why,” says Mark, “I’ve f-found George Piggins, and I’ve got a l-legal option to your p-power site signed by him and his sister. You can go ahead with b-bustin’ our mill, and you kin t-take our dam, but we got your power site. That’s how I’ll do what I said.” Every man there turned like their heads was all connected, to look at Wiggamore, and Wiggamore looked at Mark like he was seeing a ghost. “I don’t believe it,” says he. “I don’t ask you to,” says Mark. “Have you that option with you, Mark?” says President James. “Yes, sir.” “Will you let me see it? Can you trust me that much?” “Certainly, sir. I haven’t had any doubt from the m-m-minute I saw you.” “Thank you,” says President James, and Mark handed him the option. He read it careful and passed it along to the others. Then he turned to Wiggamore, and his face was set and stern.