Therefore Scattergood made it a clause in the contract that all the stock in the new railroad and construction company should remain in his own name until the road was completed and ready to operate.  Then 49 per cent should be transferred to McKettrick.  This McKettrick regarded as a harmless eccentricity of the lamb he was about to fleece.

The new company was organized with Johnnie Bones as president, Scattergood as treasurer, an employee of McKettrick’s as secretary, and Mandy Baines and another employee of McKettrick’s as the remaining two directors.

While the negotiations regarding the railroad were being carried on, another matter arose to irritate Mr. McKettrick, and, in some measure, to take the keen edge off his attention.  Scattergood usually endeavored to have some matter arise to irritate and distract when he was engaged on a major operation, and it was for this reason he had bought the four strips of land at Tupper Falls.

McKettrick awoke suddenly to find that his men had not secured the site for his mills, and that, apparently, it could not be secured.  He discussed the thing with Scattergood.

“Prob’ly some old scissor bills that got a notion of hangin’ on to their land,” Scattergood said.

“It can’t be that, for the sales to the present owners were recent.  The new owners refuse absolutely to sell.”

“And pulp mills hain’t got no right of eminent domain like railroads.”

“All substantial businesses ought to have it,” said McKettrick.  “You know these folks.  I wish you’d see what you can do.”

“Glad to,” Scattergood promised, and two days later he reported that all four landowners might be brought to terms.  Three would sell, surely; one was holding back strangely, but the three had put the matter into the hands of a local real-estate and insurance broker, by name Wangen.  “We’ll go see him,” said Scattergood.

Which they did.  “My clients,” said Wangen, importantly, “realize the value of their property.  That, I may say, is why they bought.”

“It cost the three of ’em less ’n three thousand dollars for the three passels,” said Scattergood.

“Prices have gone up,” said Wangen.

“Give them two hundred dollars profit apiece,” said McKettrick.

“Consid’able difference between givin’ it and their takin’ it,” said Scattergood.  “I agree with that,” said Wangen.

“Now, Wangen, you and me has done consid’able business,” said Scattergood, “and you hain’t goin’ to hold up a friend of mine.”

“If it was a personal thing, Mr. Baines; but I’ve got to do my best for my clients.”

“What’s your proposition?”

“Five thousand dollars apiece for the three strips.”

“It’s an outrage,” roared McKettrick.  “I’ll never be robbed like that.”

“Take it,” said Wangen, “or leave it.”

“You’ve got to have it,” Scattergood whispered.