The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-07
CHAPTER xI (cOntinued.)

u.
am busy today and In no mood 1of
arguing. Wen either buy you OUT OF
force you out. Choose. You have an
offer. Five millions for your gas prop
erty. VIII you take it,"
Wen see you IN he'll hrst!' cried
his visitor. exasperated
VERY we'll" replied Ryder, stiu I'M
ruffed, all negotiations are OF. You
leave me free to act. We have an
offer to buy cheap the old German
town Gas Company, which has char
ter rights TO go into any Of the streets
of PHILADELPHIA. We shall purchase
that company. we win put ten millions
new capitaI into IL, and reduce the
price of gas in Philadelphia to sixty
cents a thousand. Where viii you be-
then2"
The face Of the Colossus as he ut
tered this stand and deliver speech
was calm and insorutable. Conscious
Of the resistless power OF his untold
millions. he felt no more compuncton
in neroilessly crushing. this business
rival than he would in trampling out
the life of a worm. The little man
facing him looked haggard and dis
tressed He knew well that this was
no idle threat. He was well aware
that Ryder and his associates, by the
sheer weight of the enormous wealth
they. controlled. could sell out or de-
strov any Industrial corporation in the
land. It was plainly Illegal, but it
was done every day, and his company
was not the first victim nor the last.
Desperate. he appealed humbly 70 the
tvrannical Money Power:
Don't drive US TO the wall, M
RYDER. This forced sale wfl mean
disaster to US all put yourself IN our
plaoe-think what It means to scores
of families whose only support is the
Income from their investment in our
company"
.sATr. Hertz" replied Ryder unmoved.
ct never allow sentiment TO interfere
with business. You have heard my
terms. I refuse to argue the matter
further. What is It to be7 Five mil
lions OF oompetition7 Decide now or
this interview must endl"
He took out his watch and with nh
other hand touched a ball Beads Of
usrsplration stood on his visitors fore
head In a voice broken with sup
pressed emotion he said hoarsely:
You're a hard, pitiless man. John
RYDER! So be tive millions I don't
know what they'll say. I don't dare
return to them"
Those are my terms" said Ryder,
colby. The papers" he added, will
be ready for your signature tomorrow
at this time. and TIL have check
ready FOR the entire amount Good
day
Mr.. Bagley entered. Ryder bowed &C
Herts. who slowly retired. WEen the
door had closed on him Ryder went
back to his desk. smile OF triumph
on his face. Then he turned to his
secretary:
Let Sergeant Ellison come up
he said.
The secretary left the room ana Mr..
Ryder sank comfortably In his chair.
putting silently at his long black cigar.
The hnaneier was thinking. but his
thoughts concerned neither the luck
less gas president he had just pitt
Iessly. crushed. nor the detective who
had. come to make his report. He was
thinking Of the book. The American
Octopus" and its bold author.
whom he was TO meet IA a very few
minutes He glanced at the clock. A
quarter to three. She would be here
ln fifteen minutes II she were pune
tual. but women seldom are. he re
Elected. What kind OF a woman could
she be. this Shirley Green. TO dare
cross swords with a man whose power
was felt Ia two hemispheres2 Nc
ordinary woman, that was certain. -FIt
tried TO imagine what she looked ike
and BE pictured a tall gaunt, sexles
spinster with spectacles, a sort of
nightmare in the garb Of a woman. 4
sour. Disconnected creature. bitter t
all mankind, owing TO disappointment
in early life and especially vindictiv
toward the rich. whom her socialists
and even anarchisttcal tendencle
prompted her to hate and attack. Yet
withal. brainy intelligent woman
remarkably well Informed as to politi
cal and industrial conditions woman
10 make a friend of rather than al
enemy. And John Ryder, who has
educated himself 10 believe that wit
gold he could do everything. that non
could resist its power, had no dOub
that with money he could enlist thf
Shirley Green in his service. At 1eas
II would keep her from writing NOR
books about him.
The door opened and Sergeant Eli
son entered, followed by the secretary
who almost Immediately withdrew.
lei sergeant, said Mr.. Ryde
cordially what have YOU to tell me
/ can give You only a few minutes.
expect a lady friend of yours"
The plutoerat sometimes conde
seconded to be jocular with his sub
Ordinates
"A lady friend Of mine. sir2
echoed the man. puzzled.
Yes Miss Shirley Green, the al
ehor." replied the inaneier. enjoyin
the detectives embarrassment. ''Tha
suggestion Of yours worked out al
right She's coming here today"
I'm glad you've found her, sir
1T was a tough job" answere
Ryder with a grimace. I'VE wrot