Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-17
Joint holders of the secret and"--


Nealc.
Precisely" was the reply. "Such
being the case, | could not become Il
third partner. In brief, l wouldn't
give out that interview which you saw
in the papers this morning until l was
sure Alden was innocent"
Clever rascalw said Neale.
at was sudden inspiration with
me. I'll admit" responded Blair, "but
it worked. or course l was long
while getting at the facts, for at first
he wanted me to take his word, which
| gently but firmly declined to do.
Then, in the strictest confidence. he
told me what I'm going to tell you
now.
This is big thing" he continued,
his face suddenly growing pale. 'I'm
afraid you cant raise the money TO
swing it, for it can't be done without
money. That's why I'm laying myself
open to you. 1t had to be somebody,
and the devil sent you In"
I'm obliged to him." said Neale
$50 on"
"Nlr Alden spent the critical time
that afternoon" said Blair, sin the Of
flee of gentleman named Marcellus
Hohson. Ever hear of him."
Lawyer"
zone of the smartest trust lawyers
in this country and man worth mil
lions" said Blair. "And this is what
Alden was doing there: He has organ.
lied combination Of the companies
in his line of business"
"Alden has?" exclaimed Ncale, amaz-
ed.
Yes. sir" responded Blair. "That
man Alden. the head Of little, totter-
ing concern that is on the edge Of
bankruptcy. has got all the big fell
lows in line, and he stands to win
millions in the closing of the deal. It's
pouring money into this deal that has
put his own business where 1t is. He
must win now or go to total ruin"
"Well. what's going to stop him."
demanded Ncale eagerly. "Where do
we come ini'
Hes rounded them all up except
the Holbein Manufacturing company
OF Newark" said Blair. without that
company in the thing breaks and Al
den goes to smash. But on the day
when he sent that note to Miss Miller,
on the day when she was stabbed. AL
den got verbal agreement with the
president of the IIolbein company
which practically clnched the thing. 1t
clinched it except for just one chance
there's an option out on the Holbein
business Some time ago a combination
was made to buy the works. and le-
gal option was taken. The price Is
100000, Of which one-third must be
paid in cash four days from this pres
ent date or the option is forfeited. 1t
will be forfeited. John Y. Bowen, the
banker. who was at the head of the
combination. has died, and the whole
thing has fallen through. The option
is in the hands of Bowen's son, who
has been irving to push the thing
along, but has now dropped 1t. We
must buy that option"
"Why doesn't Alden buy it?'
"IIo is making n gamble. II the op-
ton lapses, he can get the concern for
half million. The Holbeln people
know nothing Of the trust scheme.
They think Alden merely represents
capital seeking an investment. They
are all old men in the company and
willing to sell out. But if new capital
end new men get hold of the concern
It can be forced into Aldon's trust on
valuation of a clean million, and there S
n nroGt IF S1OO 600 for MS"
Ncale twisted newspaper into rags
with his gigantic hands.
This thing needs investigating" he
said. "and there isn't much time"
"InyestigatingY' echoed Blair. "If
old Duncan Ma"lane says its all right,
do you suppose there's any doubt about
itY
"Why doesn't he buy in" Queried
Ncaie and then answered his own ques-
ton II see. Tie can't He's got it
confidential from Alden. 1t wouldn't
do for him to show IN with the proper
~. But you're talking big money. and
we mustn't so toe fast"
"Don't you see" said Blair, speaking
slowly, but in q voice thick with eX-
cjtemont, "that all we've got to do Is
to buy the option1 Show uD with that
on The day before it expires, and you'll
never have to put up the 100000 OF
/ purchase money. You'll only have to
nrove that you can. Alden will have to
fettle at your own figures If he does
not, his game is up. BY heavens, we
can take more than half the profits Of
/ this transaction right out OF his hands"
But where'll Alden get the money to
settle with u.s." demanded the captain.
1--WE can't take no promises"
THAT option closes the deal" said
Blair. with the deal closed, Alden
can command all the money he wants,
for the thing will go right into the
hands of trust company to he
financed"
"Then why hasn't Alden bought the
option himself? You say it's gam
BILE
mot altogether that. Young Bowen,
so Maclane said. hates Alden and has a
suspicion of what's up. He has turned
! down certain parties because he sus-
pcctcd Alden WAS back of them. But
you can bring him to terms All he'll
want to know Is that you don't repre-
sent Alden"
III it's old John Y. Bowen's son."
said Neale, with a smile, IL reckon
can fetch him. | happen to have a