human
Well, it's done, he announced shortly, adding:
gpt
It's only a stop-gap. To make the bluff good, you've got to have the railroad.
human
That's the talk, said the promoter, relighting the cigar which the few minutes of crucial suspense had extinguished. And then, without warning:
gpt
You're carrying something up your sleeve, Brouillard. What is it?
human
It is the one thing you need, Mr. Cortwright. If I could get my own consent to use it I could bring the railroad here in spite of those New Yorkers who seem to have an attack of cold feet.
gpt
I suppose that is your way of saying that your share in the table stakes isn't big enough. All right; the game can't stop in the middle of a bet. How much is it going to cost us to stay in?
human
The cost isn't precisely in the kind of figures that you understand best, Mr. Cortwright. And as to my share in the profits ... well, we needn't mince matters; you may remember that you were at some considerable pains to ascertain my price before you made the original bid--and the bid was accepted. You've just been given a proof that I'm trying to earn my money. No other man in Mirapolis could have served your turn over there at Garner's as I did a few minutes ago. You know that.
gpt
Good Lord, man, I'm not kicking! But we are all in the same boat. If the railroad work doesn't start up again within the next few days we are all due to go to pot. If you've got the odd ace up your sleeve and don't play it, you stand to lose out with the rest of us.
human
I wonder if you know how little I care? he said half musingly. Then, with sudden vehemence:
gpt
It is altogether a question of motive with me, Mr. Cortwright; of a motive which you couldn't understand in a thousand years. If that motive prevails, you get your railroad and a little longer lease of life. If it doesn't, Mirapolis will go to the devil some few weeks or months ahead of its schedule--and I'll take my punishment with the remainder of the fools--and the knaves.
human
Here, hold on, Brouillard--for Heaven's sake, don't go off and leave it up in the air that way!