who will, or I'm very
much mistaken."

"Who--why?" the young man stammered. "I don't understand you, Dad."

"I mean that new Light and Power Company which has been formed. That
is what will do it."

"Oh, is that all?" and Dick breathed a sigh of relief. "You certainly
did give me a jolt. I thought you were speaking of something real.
But that company's all a hoax, isn't it? Tommy Flowers said it was
nothing but a scare to force you to cut your rates. The whole thing is
so mysterious, so people say, that they consider it a put up job to
force your hand. Why, the names of the men who form the company are
not even known."

"H'm, that's all that people know about what is going on," Mr. Sinclair
retorted. "That company is no hoax, mark my word. It means business
of a most serious nature, and it is getting to work, too. Don't you
live in a fool's paradise, boy. If you do, there will be a rude
awakening, and sooner perhaps than you expect."

"What, have you heard anything of late, Dad?" Dick asked.

"Well, I have heard enough, and it is more than hear-say at that. A
strong company has been formed to utilise the water of Break Neck Falls
for light and power to supply not only the city but the entire country.
The scheme is a big one, almost gigantic, I should say. And there
seems to be plenty of money back of it, too. It is an English concern
which has recently opened an office in the city.

"What is the purpose of such a company working here?" Dick questioned.
"One would naturally think that a city much larger than ours would
offer more inducements."

Mr. Sinclair pushed back his chair from the table, and lighted a cigar.

"That is one of the things which puzzles me," he at length replied.
"Why a company with large capital should build a big plant at the falls
to supply light and power in such a limited locality, is more than I
can understand. I cannot see how it will pay even if it gets full
control."

"Who is in charge of the city office?" Dick asked.

"A man by the name of Westcote. He is an Englishman, so I believe. He
seems to have full charge of everything. He must have been the man you
saw at the Sign of the Maple with Tim Parkin, for he has a daughter
with him, who recently came to the city."

"But what has Spuds to do with the concern, and how did he come to meet
this man Westcote?"

"He is evidently in his employ. But where he met him I do not know.
Perhaps Lois can tell us," and h