Why, sir,
there is lapis lazuli enough on our claim to make enough
ultramarine paint to supply all the artists to the end of the
world. Actually we could afford to crush it up and sell it as
paint. And that is merely incidental to the other things on the
concession. The asphalt's the thing. That's where the big money
is. When we get started, sir, the old asphalt trust will simply
melt away, melt away."
He blew a cloud of tobacco smoke and let it dissolve
significantly in the air.
When it came to talking about the suits, however, Vanderdyke was
not so communicative as Mrs. Ralston, but he was also not so
bitter against either the post-office or Templeton.
"Poor Templeton," he said. "I used to know him years ago when we
were boys. Went to school with him and all that sort of thing,
you know, but until I ran across him, or rather he ran across me,
in this investigation I hadn't heard much about him. Pretty
clever fellow he was, too. The state will miss him, but my lawyer
tells me that we should have won the suit anyhow, even if that
unfortunate tragedy hadn't occurred. Most unaccountable, wasn't
it? I've read about it in the papers for old time's sake, and can
make nothing out of it."
I said nothing, but wondered how he could pass so lightheartedly
over the death of the woman who had once been his wife.
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