Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-05-29
The RoupelL Mystery
CHAPTER XIV
a U 5 { Y a

The chairs were deep, roomy and soft.
They seemed made on purpose to lull one
into feelings of security. 1t was about
ten O'Clock in the morning. The vicomtes
private secretary had just retired loaded
down with papers and instructions. His
employer sat at the table, pile of docu-
ments on either side, and before him o
single sheet, upon which an astonishing
array Of figures appeared
Minute after minute passed, aud still
the calculations went on. At last he threw
down his pencil, and walked over to the
window. Partly concealed by the cur
tains, he looked out or the throng of peo-
pie which passed up and down the street.
But he hardly noticed anybody He was
really lost in his reflections.
lie had, indeed, good reason to be
thoughtful. A gigantic scheme. the loat-
ing of which would insure him very large
returns, had that very morning been put
BY him before a syndicate of capitalists.
X was no less a one than the consolida-
ton Of the docking interests of great
French seaport. The plan was to brins
all the owners together and form a trust
on 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
AT present yielded but small return for
the capital invested.
The idea was brilliant ore. 1t VIC ii
net the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany, if successful, three million francs,
and the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany virtually meant the Vicomte de Va
lior To no alr IL. fgta fiapa
Bile financial aid in support of the schemc.
lie was that morning expecting an add
ton to his forces in the person of N,
D'Auburon, the friend of that very useful
NJ. Chabot, who had introduced him to
the vieomte but a few days previously.
To sell this young man big block o.
shares in the new enterprise, would. the
vicomte thought. not be a very difficult
task. He had entertained him at his
house only an evening or two ago. The
splendor of that occasion could net have
failed to properly impress him.
Then his wife, the yicomtesse, had so
ably seconded his efforts to make D'Au-
huron feel that he was in good hands. She
had talked glibly of their country place, a
magnificent establishment on the outskirts
of the famous forest of Fontainbleau, of
woodland rides, of moonlit waters, and
the feliclties 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 Yaliar smiled as he thought how
few who had come within their influence
had gotten away unscathed. A knock at
the door aroused him.
ttftnrY,a ~, - he o-iad o,,t aud T4,ine Cbo
bot entered the room.
Where Is your friend D'Auburon2 r.
was de Valiar's first question
M. Chahot 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 Ill, are your calculated the
banker.
Its my nerves, 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-
ically.
Chabot shuddered, and hid his face in
bis hands as II to shut out some horrible
sight.
Don't speak Of it, he almost whis-
pered, so faint was his voice. YES 1t
was enough to upset anybody"
1T was a peculiar hardship on you,
Jules, just as you were on the point of
succeeding as you say with-let me sec,
what's her name-Mademoisell Emily,
wasn't it7"
Let's change the subject l came to
tell you something about D'Auburon.
have discovered on inquiry, that he is
even better fixed than / expected How
big block Of stock had you put apart
for him IN the United Dock Company"
"A thousand shares l thought would be
ample. You know Colbert Remplin brings
us a large following, and there are Bonn
pard and the rest. Still, some subscrib-
ers viii doubtless fail us at the last mo-
ment. Why do you ask 2"
"It 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 a Swiss. He pays
periodical visits to Paris, and 1t is said
invests very largely in anything that
strikes his fancy
That's not bad news. What Is this
Cresus nameF"
LIZ AOe ttiA tuSt TCDllGU AldDOI.
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, II 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
bred. The one inspires condolences Ia a
scheme, the other simply excites suspi-
cion. In fact, I'm not sure but we will
put some premium on these Dock Com
pany shares. A little premium alwavs
makes them more attractive"
"But there are seven millions of water
IN It"
a proof concern like this dock trpst
will stand a good deal of water" renlied
the fnancler. After all, what does i
matter? All these people will have
chance to sell out at a profit when we de-
clare our first quarterly dividend Those
whom we want to make use of In the I'm
ture can be given hint when to unload
their holdings"
"But ultimately the loss falls on some
body" n
And that somebody is the publio-1SEho
cares for us-well-about afsSss@ch as we
care for them"
NJ. Chabot remained ,e1oseted with the
banker for nearly an hour. settling the re-
manning details Of the dock scheme. A
printed draft of the prospectus had to
be gops- over; the first directors of the
company had to be chosen, care being tax
en- to place upon the board the names of
such capitalists as would inspire the pub
lie with confidence.
Let me see" said the banker. running
bis eyes rapidly over a list which he
held In his hand. I'VE have Liquelet, |
Bousent, Of Bousent the elder Paltois-
ss is good and Max Raumont says he Is
9Th rs IN case we get to an issue. The |