Fascinated by the spectacle, which doubtless suggested to him some analogy to his own methods, Ryder sat motionless, his eyes fastened on the ceiling, until the sudden stopping of the secretary's reading aroused him and told him that the minutes were finished.

Quickly they were approved, and the chairman proceeded as rapidly as possible with the regular business routine.

That disposed of, the meeting was ready for the chief business of the day.

Ryder then calmly proceeded to present the facts in the case.
Some years back the road had acquired as an investment some thousands of acres of land located in the outskirts of Auburndale, on the line of their road.

The land was bought cheap, and there had been some talk of laying part of it out as a public park.