Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-10-11
CHAPTER XIV.
A u s t y n

rrbev seemed made on purpose to lull one
into feelings of security. 1t was about
can o'clock in the morning. The vicomtes
.,rivate secretary had just retired loaded
L,,rn with papers and instructions. His
ampIover sat at the table, n pile of docu-
r,onts on either side, and before him
sipgIe sheet upon which an astonishing
array Of figures appeared.
Minute after minute passed, and still
thc calculations went on. At last he threw
down his pencil, and walked over to the
window. Partly concealed by the cur
coins he looked out on the throng of peo-
ME which passed up and down the street.
INT he hardly noticed anybody. He was
rcaIIv lost in his reflections.
He had, indeed good reason to be
fboughtfuI. A gigantic scheme, the float
inr Of which would insure him very large
rorurns, had that very morning been put
nv him before q syndicate of capitalists.
II was no less a one than the consolida-
ton of the docking interests of great
French seaport. The plan was to bring
MI the owners together and form trust
or what is known as the American plan,
and then raise the dock tolls. With the
existing keen competition and the low
charges resulting therefrom, that property
,t present yielded but a small return for
the capital invested.
The idea was a brilliant one. 1t would
NET the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
DoDv if successful. three million francs,
and the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
nany virtually meant the Vicomte de Va
liar He had already enlisted considera-
BILE financial aid in support Of the scheme.
He was that morning expecting an addl-
+ion to his forces in the person of M.
D'Auburon, the friend of that very useful
VI. Chabot who had introduced him to
the vicomte but a few days previously.
To sell this young man a big block OF
shares in the new enterprise, would, the
vcomte thought, not be very difficult
task. He had entertained him at his
house only an evening or two ago. The
splondor of that occasion could not have
failed to properly impress him.
Then his wife, the vicomtesse, had so
ably seconded his efforts to make D'Au-
buron feel that he was in good hands. She
had talked glibly of their country place,
magnificent establishment on the outskirts
of the famous forest of Fontainbleau, of
woodland rides of moonlit waters, and
the felicites Of rural life far away from
the roar and din Of Paris. Those marvel
GUS eyes of hers had looked into his very
soul and enthralled his senses.
De Yalar smiled as be thought how
few who had come within their influence
had gotten away unscathed. A knock at
the door aroused him.
Come in" he cried out, and Jules Cha
bot entered the room.
where is your friend D'Auburon|
was de Yaliars first question.
VI. Chabot did not Immediately reply.
He sank into a chair. He seemed anx-
ious and worried, and out of sorts.
What on earth's the matter with you?
You're not i'll, are you?" calculated the
banker.
It's my nerves, l think. They're not
SO strong as they used to be-"
You haven't been yourself for some
time, ever since that ugly affair at Vile
neuve" remarked de Valiar, sympathet-
icalIy.
Chabot shuddered, and hid his face in
MS nauuS as IL 10 SHul ouC SoLhe hohAioi0
sight.
Don't speak of it," he almost whis-
pered, so faint was his voice. Yes, it
was enough to upset anybody"
1T was peculiar hardship on you,
Jules just as you were on the point of
succeeding as you say with--let me see,
what's her name-MademoiseIle Emily,
wasn't it,"
Lets change the subject. l came to
tell you something about D'Auburon.
have discovered, on inquiry, that he is
even better fixed than l expected. How
big a block of stock had you put apart
for him in the United Dock Company?
a thousand shares | thought would be
ample. You know Colbert Rempiin brings
us large following, and there are Bonn
pard and the rest. Still, some subscrib-
ers will doubtless fail us at the last mo-
ment. Why do you ask?'
1T is not enough. He has some very
wealthy friends. Only last night he was
speaking of one, who, he says, follows his
lead implicitly. He is Swiss. He pays
periodical visits to Paris, and it Is said
invests very largely in anything that
strikes his fancy"
That's not bad news. What Is this
Crpsus' name"
HE did not tell me-" replied Chabot.
He simply said if he thought well enough
of the venture to put his own money in,
that he would advise his friend to do like
wise, if we needed additional capital.
What are shares to him."
"Par-of course. 1t is easier to sell at
par than at fifteen francs on the one hun
dred. The one inspires confidence in
scheme the other simply eXcites suspi-
cjon. In fact, I'm not sure but we will
put some premium on these Dock Com
pauy shares. \ little premium always
makes them more attractive"
but there are seven millions of water
in it."
"A proof concern like this dock trust
will stand a good deal of water" replied
the fnancier. After all, what does it
matter? All these people will have
chance to sell out at profit when we de-
clare our first quarterly dividend. Those
whom we want to make use of in the tu-
ture can be given hint when to unload
their holdings"
But ultimately the loss falls on some