“I shouldn’t trouble you, Mr. Griffin,” he said, sitting back with an assumption of ease, while the Squire from his old leather chair observed him warily, “except on a matter of importance. You will have heard that there is a scheme on foot to increase the value of the woollen industry by introducing a steam railroad. This is a new invention which, I admit, has not yet been proved, but I have examined it as a business man, and I think that much is to be expected from it. A limited company is being formed to carry out the plan, if it prove to be feasible. Sir Charles Woosenham has agreed to be Chairman, Mr. Acherley and other gentlemen of the county are taking part, and I am commissioned by them to approach you. I have the plans here——” “What do you want?” The Squire’s tone was uncompromising. He made no movement towards taking the plans. “If you will allow me to explain?” The old man sat back in his chair. “The railroad will be a continuation of the Birmingham and Aldersbury railroad, which is in strong hands at Birmingham. Such a scheme would be too large for us. That, again, is a continuation of the London and Birmingham railroad.” “Built?” “Oh no. Not yet, of course.” “Begun, then?” “No, but——” “Projected?” “Precisely, projected, the plans approved, the Bill in preparation.” “But nothing done?” “Nothing actually done as yet,” the banker admitted, somewhat dashed. “But if we wait until these works are finished we shall find ourselves anticipated. “Ah!” “We wish, therefore, to be early in the field. Much has appeared in the papers about this mode of transport, and you are doubtless familiar with it. I have myself inquired into it, and the opinion of financial men in London is that these railroads will be very lucrative, paying dividends of from ten to twenty-five per cent.” The Squire raised his eyebrows. “I have the plans here,” the banker continued, once more producing them. “Our road runs over the land of six small owners, who have all agreed to the terms offered. It then enters on the Woosenham outlying property, and thence, before reaching Mr. Acherley’s, proceeds over the Garth estate, serving your mills, the tenant of one of which joins our board. If you will look at the plans?” Again Ovington held them out. But the old man put them aside. “I don’t want to see them,” he said. “But, Squire, if you would kindly glance——” “I don’t want to see them. What do you want?” Ovington paused to consider the most favorable light in which he could place the matter. “First, Mr. Griffin, your presence on the Board. We attach the highest importance to that. Secondly, a way-leave over your land for which the Company will pay—pay most handsomely, although the value added to your mills will far exceed the immediate profit.” “You want to carry your railroad over Garth?” “Yes.” “Not a yard!” The old man tapped the table before him. “Not a foot!” “But our terms—if you would allow me to explain them?”