New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-05-20

Precisely was the reply. such
being the case, could not become IL
third partner. In brief. wouldn't
give out that interview which you saw
in the papers this morning until / was
sure Alden was. innocent. Z
Clever ia seal. y said Neale.
g 1t was sudden inspiration with
me, I'll admit. responded Blair, ;.but
it worked. Of course was a 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 iii going to tell YOU
now
This is big thing" he continued.
his face suddenly growing pale. I'm.
afraid you can't raise the money to
swing it, for it can't be done without
money. That's why I'm laying myself
open to you. It had to be somebody.
and the devil sent you in
I'm obliged to him. said Neale.
go on
Mr.. Alden spent the critical time
that afternoon" said Blair, sin the Of
fee of a gentleman named Marcellns
Hobson. Ever hear of him?''
''Lawyer?"
"One of the smartest trust lawyers
in this country and man worth mill
lions.'' said Blair "And this is what
Alden was doing there: He has organ
lied a combination of the companies
in his line Of business
"Alden has?" exclaimed Neale, amaz-
: ed.
eyes, 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 it is. He
must win now or go to total RUM
"Well, what's going to stop him? p
demanded Neale eagerly. Where do
we come il!
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
heL- got q verbal agreement with the
president of the Holbein company
which practically clinched the thing. 1t
clinched it except for just one chance
there's an option out on. the Holbein
business. Some time ago 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. It
will be forfeited. John Y. Bowen, the
banker, who was Of 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 it. We
must buy that option"
"Why doesn't Alden buy it?'
'He is making gamble. If the OPP
ton lapses, he can get the concern for
half Million The Holbein 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
and new men get hold of the concern
it can be forced into Alden's trust on a
valuation of clean million, and there S
a profit Of 100000 for u.s." ::
Neale twisted a newspaper into rags
with his gigantic hands.
"This thing needs investigating" he
said, 'snd there isn't much time"
"Investigating?' echoed Blair. IF
old DUNCAN Maclane says it's all right.
do you suppose there's any doubt about
| it?"
| "Why doesn't he buy in?' queried
Neale and then answered his own ques-
ton II see. He can't He's got it
| confidential from Alden. 1t wouldn't
do for him to show un with the proper
| ty. But you're talking. big money. and
we mustn't go too fast"
"Don't you see said Blair, speaking
slowly. but in . voice thick with ex
element that all We've got to do is
to buy the option3 Show IN with that