The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-24
In any case, | can trust her. -

son, and then Hellow he broke OF
as swarthy middle aged man hurried
In. Looking for me- Williams? What's
upT
The newcomer was visibly excited,
and at first glance Horrigan had seen
that something was amiss.
whats upy' repeated the boss.
ELLIS has gone-deserted" cried VII.
liamS.
ELLIS" echoed Wainwright in dis
may, for the man of whom Williams
spoke was one OF the aldermanic solid
thirteen" on whom Horrigan counted.
The boss made no comment, but walt
ed impatiently for his henchman 10
continue.
ELLIS has gone" repeated Williams
HE left note for me saying his wife
is very Ill and the doctors ordered him
to take her south. So he can't attend
Fridays meeting"
"Can't attend the meeting" gasped
Wainwright. But everything depends
on
"0h, he'll be on hand, the cur"
growled Horrigan. The rest are stand.
ing solid of courseT"
II think so" hazarded Williams, "but
some of 'em are pretty scared. We've
never had such fight before as Ben
nett's putting up against us now,
and
"Ill strengthen 'em up SO as 10
knock out any weakeningw declared
Horrigan confidently. ITS Ellis we've
got to look after now. Go after him,
Williams, on the first train south and
haul him back. Have him here by
Friday If you have to kidnap him.
I'll stand for any damage or expense.
Only see he's here for that meeting.
It's up to you. Now jump"
AS Williams FASTENED toward the
door Horrigan called after him:
ION your way out send word to Rob
erts that want to see him here. Well,
Wainwright" he resumed, turning
back into the room, ''it looks bad"
do you think"-
"I think we're in a tight place. II
our aldermen found out about Ellis
quitting, there's no knowing how many
Of 'em would bolt II we could only
work Bennettw
"Out of the question. He can't be
turned"
There's no man who can't be turn
ed. I've one card up my sleeve yet
that ought to land him. But I'd rath-
er try something else first. wish we
could get line on his price"
HE can't be bought! He"-
Rot! Everybody can be bought.
Only there's some that can't be bought
with cash. I'm wondering what there
is that'll buy him if money won't"
Gibbs, in search of an elusive part
ner, crossed the foyer and paused to
greet them.
What news" he asked.
Wainwright surveyed the brokers'
well groomed figure with less approval
than usual.
"You seem to be industrious enough
tonight" said he. ITS pity some OF
tonight's dancing energy couldn't have
been devoted to your work this morn
ing"
Gibbs flushed at the reproof in words
and tone.
81 don't understand" he replied
stif1y.
"Why didn't you notify me Of the
big block of Borough stock that was
bought up just before poon"
II hadn't heard about it," answered
Gibbs, with not quite all his custom
ary assurance.
Everybody else heard of it. You'll
have to keep better tabs on the market
than that if you're to be any use to us
Do you know who bought itT'
NO" returned Gibbs, with growing
uneasiness, "Of course | don't. How
should l know? What are you driv-
ing at"
'This is what I'm driving at: Several
big blocks Of the stock have been IN
loaded on the market during the past |
few days and have been quietly snap |
ped up. Somebody's evidently falling
on to our game. You don't know !
WhoY
'I've told you twice that | didn't |
know" clustered Gibbs, masking his |
concern under a show of virtuous in |
dignation.
The effort called forth all the astute !!
young brokers' nerve, for a certain
shrewd scheme of his showed signs Of
falling through. BY his original ar
rangement with Wainwright he was to |
have manipulated all the Borough |
stock purchases on the exchange floor |
and to receive 90 per cent Of the profits /
on the condition that he invest not one
dollar in the stock on his private ac-
count.
Having strong faith in the deals sue |
cess and having no equally strong in I
centive to keep faith with his partners, |
Gibbs had sought to swell his own |
profits by secretly buying up quantities |
Of the stock for himself until every |
penny of his capital was involved. His !
troubled mind could not now deter
mine whether or not Wainwright sus-
pected him. Gibbs, while possessing |