The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

We're they the last shares out?" ask
ed Gryphins.
The very last All the others have
been called in. aud put in numerical
order in this cupboard" answered Vo-
gel. opening d sliding panel in the wall
There they are Ten thousand fine
sheets of fooIscap paper. worth at least
d penny each If there was nothing print
ed on them. and not worth a rap with our
stamp" he added. with sigh.
Placing the parcel on the shelf. he
shut up the cupboard and returned TO
his desk.
1t is enough to make one believe that
the shares are bewitched," groaned
Wagner Il could understand it if only
d thousand. OF even a hundred, or say
fifty We're sold! But that not one should
be taken. To think that throughout the
Australian continent not one man should
. be found 10 invest $50 in it.
Just q, that moment, as if in obedience
30 his wish. another visitor Knocked at
the Inquiries"
is this the Electric Transmission
Company" asked a sauow, cIean-shaveu
individual with yellow hair pIastered
down on his temples
1t is" answered Wagner.
rs the subscrtpdon-Iist cIosed2' re-
Joined the saIlow-faced man, with evil
/ dent anxiety.
What subscription 90
THAT of the company"
Yes. sir. replied Wagner. somewhat
haughtiIy.
oh, am sorry! am, indeed" cried
! the saIow- faced man. 1t was only
/ yesterday that I came upon your pros
/ pectus in an old number of the Argus.
But I was in hopes Of being IN time 10
purchase some shares.
when l say that the subscription Is
closed" Wagner resumed. in q diplo-
matte tone. u speak Of the public sub
scrfption. The shares are all sold We
had to decline numerous applications on
the very first day Of the issue
On hearing this, the sallow face fell
lower still, and the poor man sighed
deeply.
But still, if you are disposed 10 make
a sacrifice, we might. perhaps, arrange
it, How many do you want o.
Twenty or thirty-If 1t Is possible.
that is to say"
Thirty shares, that meant e60o. wag-
ner glanced at his Two partners.
! I think that can be managed. he
/ replied. paternaIly, If you are disposed
to give e22 instead Of twenty for each
share. But you must make a deposit.
7 have the sum with me- said The
other. feverishly brandishtng a bundle
Of banknotes.
Very wei. viii receive it, VogeI.
draw a receipt. Please to hand them in
at the next window. and give me your
name and address and profession in
/ full.
"TyreH Smith. valet to Sir Buee-
phaIus CoghilI baronet, % Curzon
i street, London. and now of the Victoria
Hotel. Melbourne.
THAT is a good address" said Wag-
ner. with a patronizfng air. Should
! Sir BucephaIus desire some shares on
/ the like conditions. we shall be happy
10 supply him with them. Good morn
/ ing sir. The shares shall be at your
I disposal in q few days time"
The window closed on the notes. ana
Smith went of triumphant.
SIX hundred and sixty pounds, 1t was
+ an unexpected windfaH for the Electric
Transmission Company.
I vote We have q good lunch at once,
- exclaimed vogeI, and talk over mat
teTsl"
This was agreed to on all sides. 1t
was easier TO talk with ones feet under
The table
Muller. the office boy. who passed his
days yawning in the passage was dis
+ patched forthwith TO a neighboring res
taurant, and soon an inviting repast was
spread on the Office table.
CHAPTER II.
Originating the Scheme.