Personally, Sykes was a character that invited scrutiny6. He was comparatively young, still in the early thirties, possessing a full-blooded interest in life. His face was unusually hard for so young a man and wore an habitual7 calculating expression. He was a man of scheme and intrigue8. His motion as he moved about was very like that of Reynard as he slunk through the night en route to Mr. Farmer's chicken coop. He lived by his wits, searching the trail closely for tracks of his prey9. His nose was always in the wind. He was alert for the lucky cast of the die that should tumble fortune into his lap. Inventive and resourceful, his mind stored a great fund of premises10. He could adopt and discard twenty viewpoints in as many minutes. The stolid11, common-place farmers fought shy of Sykes, shunning12 his speciousness13, afraid of a snare14. They felt the unrelenting, unscrupulous thing in the man, though unable to detect it in his handsome face.
Notwithstanding the diffidence of the farmers to enter into free commerce with the real estate agent he had become an accepted cog in the social wheel. He had made one powerful friend—Rob McClure. The two drew together like steel and magnet. The attraction fused into an implicit15 partnership16 from the very start. There was a reason for this, a matter on which Rob McClure was utterly17 in the dark. Only one person in the settlement had even surmised18 it. Reddy Sykes was dominated by the mightiest19 of human motives20 in his facile address at fostering a strong friendship with McClure. Ned Pullar alone understood that he was at once lured21 by the passion of love and urged by the fell ardour of hate. The object of his regard was Mary McClure. The object of his rancour, Ned himself. He had effected his purpose with McClure by an ingratiating cunning assisted by an unusual mutual22 attraction. His relations with Mary and Ned ran back into the cross currents of their university life. Of that again.
Sykes' friendship with McClure opened to him the McClure home. He availed himself of the hospitality in a wise and restrained use of the privilege. His reception had been cordial. The two women were only too glad to promote goodwill23 with a friend of Rob's. Helen McClure was always pleased to welcome the gentlemanly guest. Mary in her secret mind was very considerably24 perturbed25, remembering certain advances made by Sykes in the past. She had turned him down on occasion and once had deservedly and effectually snubbed him. She was agreeably surprised, however, at his casual gallantries. He was courteous26 and companionable, but did not in the faintest degree press his attentions.
Sykes had been moving about his office studying closely certain realty maps of local townships. His search over, he sat down at his desk and picking up a letter read it carefully. This was the third perusal27. He was pondering some undoubtedly28 alluring29 proposition. In his mouth he held an unlit cigar, rolling it around in unconscious habit, occasionally chewing off the end and throwing it away. Looking through the window out upon the street he saw something that brought sudden resolution into his eyes. Andy Bissett was dashing by with his team of blacks. He pulled up in front of a store and hurriedly tied his horses to a post. He was about to enter the store when Sykes hailed him. Andy walked over and entered the office.
"How's the Valley Outfit30?" inquired Sykes pleasantly.
"Laid up with a broken shaft," was the reply.
"I've been looking out for you to-day, Bissett," said Sykes affably, plunging31 into business. "I want you to read this."
He handed over the letter he had just been reading.
"This," said he, "is a communication from a farmer in Northern Alberta who is anxious to get hold of a farm in this settlement. He owns a section and is willing to swap32 it for an improved half in the Pellawa district. The full description of the land is there. It is a big snap."
Andy read the letter rapidly then handed it back.
"I have nothing I would care to exchange for that," said he quietly.
"How about the quarters you are renting to the Poles?"
Andy shook his head.
"Not in the market."
"Some of your friends might consider the proposition."
"No," said Andy decidedly, "I could not recommend the deal to any of my friends. Personally I do not like it."
Sykes looked up sharply with the Reynard-like movement.
"This is an A-1 chance, a windfall for somebody."
"It may be," agreed Andy dubiously33. "It seems to me unusual. Aside from that, however, it is not the snap it appears."
Sykes' voice sounded a shade metallic34 as he said:
"How do you make it?"
Andy noted35 the change in tone but continued pleasantly:
"In the first place this land about Pellawa is simply wonderful. That other may be good. Then again there is a pretty fast movement up in this Valley land. We are expecting it to skyrocket. Things are promising36 hereabouts. I think it will be well to stick."
"Still," objected Sykes, "the difference in acreage is great. It covers all rise."
"That may be. Who can tell? That point would have to be settled by a personal visit to the Alberta farm."
Sykes shifted his cigar impatiently, biting it viciously.
"How about Pullar?" he queried37 carelessly. "He might swap the homestead. He is young yet—just the age to pitch into a section of virgin38 land. Pullar's the man."
"You mean Ned?" said Andy.
"Of course."
"Ned would not consider the matter for a minute."
"Why?"
"That land is his father's. Ned is manager and real head, but the land is still deeded to his father. Although the old man has desired to make all or any part over to the boy, Ned would not agree."
Sykes seemed to muse39 on the matter a moment. Andy did not notice the cunning light flash into the other's eyes. His companion's quick mind had gathered something of great interest to him.
"The fact is," said Andy deliberately41, "I would not recommend this to any friend of mine, as I have said."
Suddenly a resentful light burned in Sykes' eyes.
"Do you mean to say you will knock this deal?" said he.
"Sure," said Andy smiling. "I'll knock it into a cocked hat if anybody appeals to me."
"Say!" said Sykes, the lash40 of sarcasm42 entering into his tone. "You rubes carry some side, eh? A few of you little farmers think you can chin-up to Reddy Sykes. Bah!"
He turned on his heel.
With a cheerful "Good-day!" Andy took his departure.
Looking at the figure crossing the street Sykes smiled sardonically43.
"Much obliged, Bissett!" was his muttered soliloquy. "You were easy. Ha! It looks pretty good! Pretty good to me!"
Late that night McClure appeared in the office.
"Anybody with you?" inquired Sykes, looking up as he entered.
"No. I am alone," was the response. "Took a skip in to get a line on business. Anything new?"
For answer Sykes thrust the letter into his hand. McClure recognized the source instantly.
"He has located another spot, I see."
Sykes nodded.
Looking up from the letter McClure ruminated44 for a moment.
"There's good money in these transfers if we can get them going. That's where good fishing comes in."
"Tried Bissett to-day," observed Sykes ruefully.
"It was no go?"
"No."
"Keep away from Bissett," was McClure's low counsel. "There are easier prospects45. If not we'll have to chuck it."
"Chuck nothing!" was Sykes' incisive47 ejaculation. "This community's full of suckers. There are droves of easy rubes hereabouts fairly howling, 'Come touch me up.'"
For a moment McClure rubbed his chin reflectively. Sykes eyed him closely.
"I know what you are hunting down," said he, looking McClure full in the eye. "You're on just one trail these days. You are tracking the boss of the Valley Outfit."
McClure looked up surprised.
"I see I've hit it," resumed Sykes with a laugh. "Bissett put me next a little fact that has a whole barrelful of possibilities. He informs me that Pullar's three-quarter sections are all in the old man's name."
McClure shook his head.
"Don't believe it. Ned's too good a head to stand for that."
"It's a fact, just the same," maintained Sykes. "Bissett told me all about it."
"What if it is?"
"I guess you know old Ed. Pullar. Thirsty old guy at times."
McClure laughed wisely.
"That's the point," said Sykes in a whisper. "We have an even chance of getting him there."
McClure said nothing, but Sykes, watching him from the foxy crevices48 of his half-shut eyes, knew that he had probed a mighty49 impulse in his companion. The gloating of anticipated revenge looked out of Rob McClure's great eyes. He was roused from his baleful reverie by the voice of Sykes.
"That prospect46 pleases you, Rob," said he in a significant tone that drew the swift glance of McClure. "And I am with you to the limit provided——"
He paused and looked peculiarly at the other. McClure was puzzled.
"Provided," resumed Sykes, "you do the same with me."
"You have me guessing, Reddy."
"You do not know what I am driving at?"
McClure shook his head.
"Then I'll set you right. For some years I have known the daughter of Rob McClure. All these years I have regarded her as the one thing desirable. That is why I am out among the rubes. She has never been more gracious than since my arrival here. You stand by me there and I'm with you. You can do a lot."
The two men looked long into each other's eyes. Then McClure's gaze became abstract and far away. He was seeing something other than Sykes' glittering eyes. He saw Mary as she burst in upon him the day of his interview with Ned. He felt the soft touch of her cheek. Suddenly he was recalled to the issue.
"Well?" was the crisp challenge.
"Go right in and win," said he with a strange smile. "Do it right and I'm agreeable. So far as I know you have a clear field. You can count on me."
"You think the field is open?" said Sykes.
"There isn't a doubt. I know all about my girl."
Sykes smiled and let it go at that. There was some information he could impart to this cocksure father but it would be more serviceable later. He reflected for a moment on the effect of the disclosure that Ned Pullar was very much in the field. Then he smiled again, conscious of holding a rather high hand.
McClure could see no untoward50 possibility and was satisfied.
So they made the compact.
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1
commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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lucrative
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| adj.赚钱的，可获利的 | |
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3
shingles
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| n.带状疱疹；（布满海边的）小圆石( shingle的名词复数 )；屋顶板；木瓦（板）；墙面板 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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7
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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8
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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9
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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10
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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12
shunning
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的现在分词 ) | |
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13
speciousness
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| n.似是而非 | |
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14
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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15
implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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17
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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18
surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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19
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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20
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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21
lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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22
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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23
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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24
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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25
perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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27
perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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28
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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30
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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31
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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32
swap
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| n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易 | |
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33
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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34
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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35
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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36
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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37
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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38
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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39
muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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40
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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41
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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42
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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43
sardonically
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| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
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44
ruminated
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| v.沉思( ruminate的过去式和过去分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
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45
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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46
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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47
incisive
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| adj.敏锐的，机敏的，锋利的，切入的 | |
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48
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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49
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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50
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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