So they snapped like
hungry fish at this chance to square themselves, by secretly swindling
their own customers, and shoving our manufactured diamonds upon the
entire market."
"Like hungry fish--h'm! that's no name for it," cried Matt Stall, with
a mingled growl and laugh. "Rufe Venner was as ready to become a knave
as any covey I ever crossed."
"So we established this plant for Pylotte to do his clever work in,"
continued Kilgore, disregarding the interruption. "Luckily, Venner
already owned this old mansion, as well as that in which he lives; and
fortunately, both places are somewhat secluded, with extensive grounds
abutting. That enabled us to frame up a very snug and safe retreat."
"Sure it did."
"So we went to work," Kilgore proceeded, discursively. "We built our
plant, placed our machinery, rigged a private telephone between this
house and Venner's, and tapped the electric conduit with a secret wire,
to give us light and feed our furnace."
"That was my work," nodded Stall, with a touch of pride.
"Right you are, Matt, and mighty good work, too," bowed Kilgore. "In a
nutshell, boys, after two months' secret work, we have accomplished all
we planned, and now have Venner sliding our goods upon the market at a
fabulous profit.
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