"I have heard something of it." "Quite so," replied Cowperwood.

"Because of their opposition I made them an offer to combine these three companies and the three new ones into one, take out a new charter, and give the city a uniform gas service.

They would not do that--largely because I was an outsider, I think.

Since then another person, Mr.Schryhart"-- McKenty nodded--"who has never had anything to do with the gas business here, has stepped in and offered to combine them.

His plan is to do exactly what I wanted to do; only his further proposition is, once he has the three old companies united, to invade this new gas field of ours and hold us up, or force us to sell by obtaining rival franchises in these outlying places.