BERNICK. [_Half aloud._] Horrible! But no, it’s impossible—inconceivable! [_As he turns to go to his own room_ HILMAR TÖNNESEN _enters from the right._ HILMAR. Good-day, Bernick! Well, I congratulate you on your field-day in the Trade Council yesterday. BERNICK. Oh, thank you. HILMAR. It was a brilliant victory, I hear; the victory of intelligent public spirit over self-interest and prejudice—like a French razzia upon the Kabyles. Strange, that after the unpleasant scene here, you—— BERNICK. Yes, yes, don’t speak of it. HILMAR. But the tug-of-war is yet to come. BERNICK. In the matter of the railway, you mean? HILMAR. Yes. I suppose you have heard of the egg that our editor-friend is hatching? BERNICK. [_Anxiously._] No! What is it? HILMAR. Oh, he has got hold of the rumour that’s floating about, and is coming out with an article on the subject. BERNICK. What rumour? HILMAR. Why, about the great buying-up of property along the branch line, of course. BERNICK. What do you mean? Is there any such rumour about? HILMAR. Yes, over the whole town. I heard it at the club. They say that one of our lawyers has been secretly commissioned to buy up all the forests, all the mining rights, all the water-power—— BERNICK. And is it known for whom? HILMAR. They thought at the club that it must be for a syndicate from some other town that had got wind of your scheme, and had rushed in before the prices rose. Isn’t it disgraceful? Ugh! BERNICK. Disgraceful? HILMAR. Yes, that outsiders should trespass on our preserves in that way. And that one of our own lawyers could lend himself to such a transaction! Now all the profit will go to strangers. BERNICK But this is only a vague rumour. HILMAR. People believe it, at any rate; and to-morrow or next day you may look for some editorial comments on the fact. Every one is indignant about it already. I heard several people say that if this rumour is confirmed they will strike their names off the lists. BERNICK. Impossible! HILMAR. Indeed? Why do you think these peddling creatures were so ready to join you in your undertaking? Do you think they weren’t themselves hankering after——? BERNICK.