The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-07

struck all of the listeners as denoting &
/ foreigner But none Of them could salts
/ factorily place him. Neither the Ameri-
/ cans, the Englishmen, the Germans, the
! Frenchmen. the Russians. the Austrians
/ the Italians, the Spaniards, the Turks, the
! japanese, or the Chinese at the board
| could decide as to what race or nationality
! the stranger belonged.
This metal" he began, taking the card
from Mr.. Boon's hand. Il have discovered
and named; l call it artemisium.' l can
produce it, in the pure form, abundantly
enough to replace gold, giving it the same
relative value that gold possessed when
| 1t was the universal standard"
AS DR.. Syx spoke he snapped the card
with his thumb nail and it futtered with
quiyering hues like humming bird how
ering over flower. He seemed to await
a reply, and President Boon asked:
What guarantee can you give that the
supply would be adequate and continu-
ous?"
Il will conduct a committee of this
congress to my mine in the Rocky Noun
tains, where, in anticipation of the event
! have accumulated .nOugh refined arts
nisium to provide every civilized land
with an amount Of coin equivalent to that
which II formerly held in gold. | can
there satisfy you of my ability to main
tain the production"
But. how do We know that this metal
Of yours will answer the purp0se?"
Try it," was the laconic reply.
There is another difficulty" pursued
the president People will not accept
a new metal in place Of gold unless they
are convinced that it possesses equal in
trinsic value. They must first become
familiar with it. and IL must be ebund
ant enough, and desirable enough. to be
used sparingiy in the arts, just as gold
was"
Il have provided for ell that" said the
stranger with one Of his disconcerting
smiles. II assure you that there will BE-
no trouble with the people. They ~ill be
only too eager to get and to use the
metal. Let me show you"
He stepped to the door and Immediate
ly returned with two black attendants
bearing a large tray filled with articles
shaped from the same metal as that OF
which the card was composed. The
financiers all jumped TO their feet with
eXclamR tons of surprise and admiration,
and gathered around the tray whose dai-
zling contents lighted up the corner of
the room where 1t had been placed as ii
the moon were shining there.
There were elegantly formed vases
adorned with artistic figures, embossed
and incised, and glowing with delicate
coior5 which shimmered in tiny waves
with the slightest motion of the tray
Cups, pins. finger rings. earrings watch
chains. combs studs, lockets, medals,
tableware, models of coins-in brief, al
most every article in the fabrication of
which precious metals have been en-
ployed were to be seen there in pro-
fusion, and all composed OF the strange
new metal which everybody on tlc spot
far cnfa
gold.
DO you think it VIII answer" asked
Dr. Syx
we do" was the unanimous reply.
All then resumed their seats at the ia
bic. the tray with its magnificent array
having been placed in the centre of tho
board. This display had remarkable in
Of the financiers. The dark clouds that
bad oppressed them rolled off, and the pros
pect grew decidedly brighter
What terms do you demand?" at length
asked Mr.. Boon, eheerfully rubbing his
hands.
Il must have military protection for my
mine and reducing works replied DR.. Syx
Then l shall ask the return OF l per cent
on the circulating medium, together with
the privilege Of disDosing of certain
amount of the metal-to be limited by
agreement-to the public for use in the
arts OF the proceeds of this sale l will pay
10 per cent TO the government in consid-
Grafton for its protection"
But" exclaimed Mr.. Boon, that Will
make you the richest man who ever lived"
Undoubtedly" was the reply.
why added Mr.. Boon, opCuing his
eyes wider as the facts continued TO dawn
upon him. you viii become the financial
dictator of the whole earthi"
Undoubtedly" again responded DR..
Syx. unmoved. That is what purpose 10
become. My discovery entities me to no
less. But, remember. l place myself Ut
der government inspection and restriction
should not be allowed to flood the market,
even II | were disposed to do so. But my
own interest would restrain me. 1t is to
my advantage that artemisium once
adopted shall remain stable in value"
shadow of doubt suddenly crossed the
presidents face.
Suppose your secret is discovered?" he