"And why should you go in
search of me?"
"As accredited representative of the Canadian Wild Lands Company, I
have business to transact with you." Hedin stepped forward and
extended a paper. "I represent John McNabb."
"John McNabb!" cried Cameron, staring at him as though he had taken
leave of his senses. "You mean----"
Hedin interrupted him, speaking crisply. "I mean that this paper, as
you will note, is a power of attorney which gives me authority to
transact any and all business for Mr. McNabb, concerning the purchase
of certain pulp-wood lands."
"Dut, man!" cried Cameron excitedly.
Ignoring the interruption, Hedin continued. "And I hereby, in the
presence of Mr. Murchison, tender payment of ten percent, of the
purchase price, as provided in the terms of the option contract."
"But you're too late!" roared Cameron. "McNabb's options expired at
noon! The land has been sold and payment accepted! Good Lord, man!
Do you mean that McNabb sent you up here to close the deal, and you
deliberately neglected to attend to it until the options had expired?"
"Too late?" smiled Hedin. "What do you mean, too late? The options do
not expire until noon," he paused and glanced up at the clock that
ticked upon the wall, "and it still lacks twenty-five minutes of
twelve."
Cameron stared at the clock. "It is a trick!" he cried. "You turned
the clock back! What time have you, Murchison?"
The factor meticulously consulted his watch.
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