Collins nodded. “We have put together a sizable donation to this cause. You will take it and disburse it wherever it will do the most good. Even to your Mr. Carson, if you think he can be swayed to help us.”

“No. I feel we must say nothing to him. He is a good friend to Mr. Cooke, and I don’t think they would appreciate knowing that we are paying bribes to alter the terminus. Just trust me to bring you the best possible result.” Theodore smiled and tugged on the sleeve of his suit coat. “I have experience in this area and won’t let you down.”

“Then it will make our uncomfortable trip to St. Paul worth it,” Mr. Collins replied, getting to his feet. He pushed an envelope toward Theodore. “Use it where it will garner us the most help, but we will expect an accounting.”

Theodore smiled. “Of course,” he assured them, knowing it would be used for his own benefit. He wasn’t going to waste money helping these ninnies, but he would let them think that was exactly what he was doing.

The meeting ended, and Theodore made his way to the hotel. He had accomplished everything he’d wanted to with the Superior, Wisconsin, men, and now he had some work to do on the maps he’d brought with him to St. Paul.

Rafael would be so proud of him. He’d come up with the brilliant idea to hire a man to reorganize the track route. He’d lied and told the man that problems with the route had been noted and the railroad needed an alternative route. The man had no way of knowing that any route he made would be worse than the one already in place. He wouldn’t know that the railroad had spent over a year trying to find the best way to deal with the boggy land. With any luck at all, these new numbers would spell doom for Duluth and give Superior the upper hand.

Theodore checked with the front desk clerk for messages, then made his way to his room. He doffed his outer coat and hat and threw them onto a nearby chair. He’d be going out again for a luncheon meeting, so he saw no need to do more. Taking up the first map, he spread it on the table and used whatever was available to hold it in place. He then took the papers he’d received from his surveyor and began to work at altering figures. The work was tedious. He had to make certain that his marks looked natural. It was all a matter of taking his time and being diligent. Thankfully, he’d always had a bit of artistic bent to his nature. It had served him well enough when he worked for the Carson bank, and it would help him now.