e knew nothing of
the inside deals by which industrial enterprises are underwritten and
corporations managed. It was, he supposed, sufficient for his purpose
that the company for which he wanted backing was sure to pay large
dividends when properly put on its feet.

But Dave had assets of value even for such a task. He had a single-track
mind. He was determined even to obstinacy. He thought straight, and so
directly that he could walk through subtleties without knowing they
existed.

When he reached Denver he discovered that Crawford had followed the
Governor to the western part of the State, where that official had gone
to open a sectional fair. Sanders had no credentials except a letter of
introduction to the manager of the stockyards.

"What can I do for you?" asked that gentleman. He was quite willing to
exert himself moderately as a favor to Emerson Crawford, vice-president
of the American Live Stock Association.

"I want to meet Horace Graham."

"I can give you a note of introduction to him. You'll probably have to
get an appointment with him through his secretary. He's a tremendously
busy man."

Dave's talk with the great man's secretary over the telephone was not
satisfactory. Mr. Graham, he learned, had every moment full for the next
two days, after which he would leave for a business trip to the East.

There were other wealthy men in Denver who might be induced to finance
the Jackpot, but Dave intended to see Graham first. The big railroad
builder was a fighter. He was hammering through, in spite of heavy
opposition from trans-continental lines, a short cut across the Rocky
Mountains from Denver. He was a pioneer, one who would take a chance
on a good thing in the plunging, Western way. In his rugged, clean-cut
character was much that appealed to the managers of the Jackpot.

Sanders called at the financier's office and sent in his card by the
youthful Cerberus who kept watch at the gate. The card got no farther
than the great man's private secretary.

After a wait of more than an hour Dave made overtures to the boy. A
dollar passed from him to the youth and established a friendly relation.

"What's the best way to reach Mr. Graham, son? I've got important
business that won't wait."

"Dunno. He's awful busy. You ain't got no appointment."

"Can you get a note to him? I've got a five-dollar bill for you if you
can."

"I'll take a whirl at it. Jus' 'fore he goes to lunch."

Dave penciled a line