Show THE HOUSE WITH THE GREEN SHUTTERS et e BY GEORGE DOUGLASS D D CoPY Cop Copyright hh 1 2 Phillips Co CHAPTER XIII-Continued XIII XIII Continued Have Hn you OU heard the news he murmured murmured mur mUr- with WI a watchful glimmer lImmer In l his Is eyes No cried Wilson on Ins glowering eager nn and alert In the business R line Is there a for me meInt meint meint int Z Oh there might nodded Gibson playing his man for a Ii while Aye Ap mini cried Wilson lIson bri briskly kly and md brou brought ht his chair an Inch or two forward Gibson grinned and watched him with his beady y eyes What What green teeth he has thought Wilson Nilson who was not fastidious The Cool Coal company are meaning me to erect a village for Cor COO 00 miners a mile out the rond road and 1111 they're running a n branch line up the Lintie's burn that will need the building of a a. dozen brigs Im I'm happy to say I h have vc nabbed the thc contract for the thc building Man 1 Mr Gibson n. n dye dc tell me that Im I'm proud to hear It sir I am nm that Wilson was notching In his chair with eagerness eagerness- For what could Gibson be bc wanting with him If Ir It to arrange arrange ar nr- range ronge about the carting Fill up your our glass Mr Ir Gibson man Jill fill up your our glass Youre You're drinking nothing at all al alLet Let me help you ou Aye Ac but I l havena the havena-the tho contract forthe for tor forthe the carting carling said Gibson Chats not mine to dispose of or They mean to keep keepIt It In their own hand Wilsons Wilson's II mouth forgot to shut Rhut and his hiI eyes cye were ere big and round In staring disappointment 11 Was as as It this he was wasting his drink for Where her do I come In he ile a asked ke blankly Gibson tossed off oft another glassful of the burning of men and leaned leane forward forwar with Willi his elb elbows on the thc table Dye ken Goudie the company's manager lies He's worth making up toI toI to to- I can tell ye e He has complete control of or the business and can Dirt you ou the road of oC a good thing I made a a. point of helping him in everything ever e since ho came to Barbie and Im I'm glad to say that he hasna Man lan It was through him I got sot the building contract they the they never open to the public But thc they mean to contract separate for ting carting the material That means mean that they'll need the len length th of ofa a dozen horses on the Uie road for or a twelvemonth to come for Its It's no only the building there building they're launching out on ona ona a a. big scale cule and theres there's lots of or other r things for COl bye Now Goudie's as close cloRe as asa asa asa a and likes to keep everything time for or dark ark till the thc proper r comes has been ot Not Nol a whisper heard so far about aboul this village for foe the miners miners theres a rumor Tumor to b be sure about a 0 houses going up but nothing near tHc reality An And theres there's not a n soul either cither that kens theres there's a n. abig abig bl big contract for carting to bo he made madec c and Insell But or ai a months month's bye be they'll be advertising for tor estimates for a twelvemonths twelvemonth's carry carry- ing I a hint would he worth s something g to you and that's the rea reason o of oC m my visit I see sec said Wilson lIson briskly You arc are verra good Mr Gibson You mean you'll give I c me mc an Inkling In private of oC the other estimate sent In In and help to arrange c mine according r Na a said sati GI Gibson 11 I Gou le close Ioe to let ma mo k ken n I Ill I'll 11 speak a H. word wordIn In his ear ar on your yourL behalf to be sure If IC f you ou agree to 0 th the proposal I mean loput to lo put before you oli att But Gourlays Gourlay's lays lay's the thc theman man plan you need to to ke Upkeep p your eye on n. n Its It's you OU or him hilt to for l' l the thc contract contract theres there's theres nobody else to wT I the two o oye oye oye ye Imph ph I see sec said Wilson and tug tugged ed his mustache In meditation All expression dl died d out of or his face while his brain DraIn churned within What hat Brodie Brodie Brodle Bro- Bro die dle had christened the considering keek was In his hIs' eyes they were far faraway faraway awa away and saw aw village c In process process pro pro- ce cess 3 of erection husy with Its chances and Then an all uneasy thought seemed to to Strike him and re recall recall re re- call him to the man b by his side lIe He stole a shIH shifty glance at the sandy antler But nul I thought you el c a rr friend nd of or Gourlay's Gourlays he ire s said ld slowly Friendship said Gibson Were speaking of or business business' And theres there's all sma-all friendship me and Gourlay He lie was a bill I sent In the other day and ond Im I'm getting tired of his bluster Besides theres there's little mote more to be he made of or him Gourlay's Gourlays Gourlays Gourlay's Gourlays Gourlay's Gour Gour- lays lay's bye wit But youre you're a rising man Mr 11 Wilson and I think that you Oll and me might work to our own advantage e dont don't ye see Yes Just so to the anta ad advantage c of us both Oom Ooin I hardly see sec what youre you're drivIng at at eald said Wilson i Im driving at this i said ald Gibson If 1 Gourlay kens kegs youre you're a against him his estimate for the contract hell he'll cut down to a ruinous price out o sheer spite yes ye yes out o 0 sheer rather spite rather than titan be licked by you OU In public compe compe- And f If he docs does Goudie and I Imay Imay may stay do what we like but we canna help you For Far Its tt's the partners that decide the estimates sent In dye e see Imph Its It's the partners lP GOUl has no to do wi vi that And If Gourlay Gour- Gour lay luy once gets ro round nd the partners you'll be left out In the cold for a very bang loang time Shivering sir chi shivering Cring You will t that ha t Dod Doll youre you're right There's Theres R ft danger dan dun danger ger er of or that Tint But I fall fail to see sec how we weca ca can cair 11 prevent n t J it t We Ve Cant can put Gourlay on a n. wrong wron scent said Gibson But ut ho how though Gibson met one nUe question h by another What r. was the charge for tor a n man mUll and anda a n. hor horse e and a days day's carrying when ye e me Cl hel vay he asked ked Only four Cour shillings shilling tI a a. day said Wilson promptly it has risen en to six now he added Exactly said ald Gibson and with the thc new works worl coming I in about aboUl the town It'll rise to cl eight ht yet I have It for a l fact that the company's N willing willingto to gle gie that Now If you and nOlI me could procure n a Job joh for Y Gourlay at the lower rate into before the news new o n fl this new net Industry In Industry In In- gets scattered a a job that would the OU understand understand un un- whole hole of or his plant you yuu tI and prevent ent his C competing for the company's business we we would he hc clear he clawed claw his chin chill to help his I o 0 arithmetic we lve o would clear diff difference on cot the twelvemonth At At least you OU would woul make nalce that It h he added but bu t you would woul Minn allow hIlow me a ha handsome commission of oC c course the thc the odd hundred and seventy venty say for say for bringing n the thc scheme before ye C e I dont don't think th theres there's rex unreasonable ul In hr at tits For i It its it's s snot not the mere twelvemonths twelvemonth's work worle that's at fit f stake you OU limit island It its it's the thc val viable cable connection for the th fee suture Now 1 ow I have h Influence Influence- wP Wl Goudie I can help heIr you there But if iC Go Gourlay gets In never theres there's Just u ii chance hunte that you'll be able to oust himI him oust him I I he nee suld 11 Wilson lIOn what's to provide plO knows know cn coming n ning were we're 1 work ork for Gourlay at the lower rate both to put money In our own 11 pocket and prevent event competing forthe for tor pi him Batt from room thc the better better business Youve You've sou e summed It to t the e nines said paid Gibson Yes s ald said VII Wilson on blankly but knit how hints on rth p are we to p provide pro 0 de work wurl for Cor him Gibson on loan leaned d forward a second time and tapped d Wilson ollon on th Ih ti ke knet knee what f a n Have Ilave you ou never ne considered chance for tor building theres there's In that holm of ot yours ours he asked naked Youve o Jve a n fortune lying there undeveloped That was the point to which Cunning Johnny Johnn had been leading all the thc time He Ile care cared as little for Wilson as for Gourlay all he hc wanted was a contract for covering Wilson's Wilsons holm with Jerrybuilt Jerrybuilt Jerry Jerry- built hullt houses and a a. good commission on the years year's carrying It was wa for tor this he evolved the conspiracy to cripple Gourlay Wilsons Wilson's thoughts went to and fro like the scuttle of or a weaver weiner He blinked In rapidity of oC thinking and stole shifty glances at his comrade He tugged lugged his hla mustache and said Fald Imph man many times Then his eyes went ot off In their long preoccupied stare tare and the sound of or the breath coming comins- hc-av hc heavy through his nostrils was audible audible audi audi- ble In the quiet room Wilson VII was one of oC the men whom YO you l hear thinking I l see he said slowly You mean to bind Gourlay to cart building material material mate mate- rial to my holm at the present price of or work You'll bind him to terms so o oth th that t he canna cunna su suspect rJ pert t till the time comes who In particular hes he's to work for In the meantime Ill I'll be he free to offer for Cor the company's compans business at atthe atthe atthe the higher trice price Thais the size ot mid Gibson lon Wilson lIson was staggered by the rapid combinations of or the tho scheme heme But nut Cunning Cun Cun- Cunning ning Johnn Johnny had him In the toll tolls toils The Thc plan he proposed stole about the grocers grocer's gro gro- cers cr every weakness an and tugged his inclinations to consent It was wag very ery important he considered that he he an anno and no other should obtain this contract which was both valuable ble In Itself and an earnest of o other business In the future And Gibson's Gibsons scheme got ot Gourlay Gourlay Gourlay Gour Gour- lay the on only po possible rival out the wa way For It was not po possible for Gourlay Gourlay Gour Gour- la lay to put snore more than twelve horses on the road and If he thought he hc had secured secured se se- e- e cure cured a good contract already he would never dream of oC applying for another Then Wilsons Wilson's malice was waH gratified by the thought that Gourlay who hated him should have to serve as helper and underling In a n. scheme for his aggrandizement as That would take takedown takedown down own his pride for him And the commercial com- com mercial advantage so strong In Wit Wil Witson Wilson son was Inflamed b by the vision vIRIon of oC himself him self as ns a 1 wealthy wealth owner house r which Gibson put before him hint Cunning Johnny Johnny Johnny John John- ny knew all ull this when he broached time the scheme scheme scheme-he he foresaw the pull of oC It on Wilsons Wilson's nature Yet Wilson hesitated He did not like to give to Ive himself to Gibson Gibson Gib Gib- son quite so rapId rapid t. t You go co fast Cast Mr Ir Gibson said he Faith you Ou go fast tast This Is a bl big affair affair af af- fair and needs to be looked at for tor a awhile while Fast cried Gibson Damn It we have no time to waste We maun act acton acton acton on the spur of or the moment Ill have to borrow money said Wilson Willson slowly and its it's verra dear at atthe atthe atthe the pre present lent time LIme It was never worth more In Barbie than It is at the present time Man an dont don't you OU see the chance youre you're neglectIng neglect neglect- Ing log Dont Don't you Oll see what It means Theres There's thou thousands lying at your backdoor back back- deor door If yell clI only reach rc to pick them up Yes thousands Thousands Im I'm Im I'm telling telling tell tell- ing Ins Insel ye el Thou Thousands Thousands' Wilson saw himself elC Provost and plu plu- Yet was he cautious do well b by the scheme he said tartly If Ir you ou get the sole contract contract con con- tract for bUll building these premises of ot mine and a flit fht commission on the carrying carrying car car- Can you carr carry the scheme without me said Gibson A word from room me to Goudie means a heap hep There was a veiled threat In the remark Oh well we'll come to terms said the other othel But how v will you OU manage Gourlay Aha Aka said ald Gibson Ill come corne In lag handy for Cor that you'll discover Theres There's been a n in Barbie for the last year year things things went O He quick at nt the start and arid were toll followed owed by a wee lull tull but Its It's only for tor a time sir Its It's only for fora a time It and you OU the gither have damaged Gourlay Gourlay hes he's hes both short o o work and scarce o cash as I found to m my cost when I a asked ked him for tOl my ngy siller shier So J when I offer him a abig abig ahl hl big contract for carting stones the quarry and the town foot hell he'll hells s swallow vallot It without a n. question Ill I'll In Insert insert In- In 5 sert rt a 0 clause that he must deliver the stuff at such places as I direct within yards of oC the Cross In alny alas direction for fol for Ive I've several Jobs near the Cross ross ye e sec see and hows how's he to know kilo that yours ours Is one of oC them Man lan It Its It's cas easy to bamboozle an ass aRS like Gourlay Besides hell he'll think my 01 principals have tru trusted tell me to let the carrying to aln- aln one ono I like and as ns I let It to him hell he'll fancy tancy I m on his side ye see sec hell he'll hell he'll never j that I mean to diddle diddle did did- dle die him hint In tho the meantime well we'll spread the news that youre you're meaning to build own land landwell landwell land land- on H. H big bl scale upon uDon your our well we'll have the ground levelled the foundations dug due and the thc drains and everything seen een to Now 00 It'll never occur to Gourlay Gaulin lay In hl the present slackness slackness slack slade ness o 0 trade that you would contract wI wP another man to cart your material and go 10 hunting for other work That'll throw him off ott the scent till the time time conies comes to put his nose on ont t 11 When hen hen the company advertises K for or estimates he canna compote com wi wP you OU because hes he's pre arranged to me an and hell he'll think youre you're out ot too because youre you're ou re bus busy wi wP your own woark You'll be bc free to nip the eight shillings s. s Then well we'll force torce him to fulfill his bargain ba and cart for tor forus forus us at six I If he refuses said Wilson Ill have the contract stamped st. and sl signed in the presence of witnesses said Gibson Not that that's necessary necessary Mr sary but hut a n double knots knot's aye the sar- sar es est t Wilson looked at nt him hint with admira admira- tion Gosh Mr lr Gibson GGibson he cried youre a warmer Ye Yc deserve c your OUI name nume Ye Ya ken what the folk ca' ca you OU 7 Oh yen yea said suld Gl Gibson on complacently Im hog quite proud of oC the description I Ive tn my aln craw to pick wP wI Gourlay Jour Gour lay he lie w went nt on He lie was damned inbred ill ill- bred estreen when 1 I asked him to settle settle set set- tle lie my account and n talked talker about extortion extortion ex- ex nut lint hide bide a wee hUe bile a w wee c Ill I'll enjoy the thc look on his face tace when he sees secs forced to carry for you at a r rate tc lower lowel than the market price When hell Gibson approached Gourlay on the following day clay he was full of la lam laments laments la- la m ments about the poor pOOl state of |