The Washington herald., 1908-04-03
CHAPTER XXXvIII.
Friend or FoeR

he should misjudge her.
Truth 10 tell, he had anticipated that
she would have gone straight TO Barclay
and told him the truth. Within himself
he acknowledged that he had played the
poor girl a scoundrelly trick, but consoled
himself with the thought that when a
mans life was at stake. as his was, any
mode Of escape became justihable.
At last the old man stirred in his chair.
and, turning to Max, said:
Please understand plainly IT is not be-
cause 1 refuse to help you, but because
II is not within my province to dictate
TO Cunnington replies regarding his as
sistants."
But you hold controlling interest in
the frm," declared the other.
That may be so. but 1 have nothing
20 do with the details Of organization, -
he replied. mo. Mr. Barclay, let us end
this matter with an expression Of my re-
gret at being unable to assist you. Per-
haps. however. 1 may be able TO do so
in another direction"
In another dlrection!" he echoed.
''How?"
In a small matter of business"
Max Barclay was both surprised and
interested. He knew quite we'll that Stat
ham could, II he wished, give him pre-
vious knowledge that would enable him
10 make a considerable coup Ignorance
OF Marions visit TO the old man or the
cause OF her dismissal allowed him to re-
gard the millionaire with feelings Of
friendliness. and 10 reflect that. after all.
he had no power to dictate 10 Cunning
ton.
You know. Mr.. Barclay he said Il
frequently obtain confidential knowledge
Of what is transpiring in the world Of
finance. The other day it came TO my
ears. through a source il is unnecessary
to mention, that the Adriatic railway con-
cessiOn has been placed before you"
Max opened his eyes. He believed that
not a soul except the man who had joined
him in partnership was aware of this.
The information must have come from
ConstantinOple. he thought
That is true he admitted.
"A big thing" remarked the old man
IN his croaking voice. a very big thing
indeed-means prosperity TO the Balkan
countries. But pardon me II I ask one
or two questions. Do not think l have
any intention Of going behind your back.
or attempting TO upset your plans /
perhaps you know, there is but one man
in London who could float such thing,
and it IS myself"
I know, Mr.. Statham, that we shall be
compelled to come to you when We have
the concession all IN order"
You will" he said with smile. "But
can you, without injury to yourself. tell
me who Is your associate in this busi-
ness?"
"A Frenchman-Mr. Jean Adam, Of
ConstantinopIe.'
Stathams face never moved a muscle.
or this he was already quite well aware.
An old friend Of yours, suppose?"
''Not-not exactly an old friend.
met him for the first time about a month
or so ago" responded Max.
And what do you know OF him?'
Nothing much except that I believe
him 10 be man OF the highest integrity
and the possessor Of many friends inter
ested in high finance"
oh and what causes you to believe
that?"
Wei, we first met In Paris. where,
having mooted the idea of a partnership,
he introduced me 10 several well-known
people, among them Baron Teller who
arranged the match monopoly Of Turkey,
and Herr Hengelmann, Of Frankfort
whom, no doubt, you know as the con-
cessiOnaire OF the German railway from
the Bosphorus to Bagdad"
The old man gave vent to a dissatisfied
grunt.
Both men stand very high in the fnan-
cial world do they not?" Max asked.
Well-they did," replied old Sam,
smiling.
Did? What, have they gone under?''
No. Only Hengemann has been in
his coffin fully two years, and the baron
died at Nice last winter
What" cried Max, starting forward.
Il repeat what I say. Mr.. Barclay.
Your friend Adam has been indulging IN
pretty fiction"
Are you sure? Are you quite sure
they are dead?"
Most certainly. I was staying in the
same hotel at Nice when the baron died,
and / followed him to the grave He
was a great friend Of mine.
Max Barclay sat stunned. Until that
moment he had believed in Jean Adam
and his plausible tales. but he now saw
how very cleverly he had been deceived
and imposed upon.
You're surprised he laughed. But
you must remember that you can get a
decent suit OF gentlemanly clothes for
IS, and visiting cards are only two shil-
lings "A hundred. People so often over
look those two important facts in life.
Thousands Of men can put off their iden-
uty with their clothes
But Adam-do you happen to know
him?' Max asked. IF you do 1t will
surely be a very friendly act 10 tell me
the truth
Well replied the elder man with some
hesitancy Il may as well tell you at
once that the Sultan has never given any
concession for the railway from Nisch
20 San Giovanni di Medua to cross
Turkish territOry-and Will never give il.
He fears Bulgaria and Servia too much.
for he never knows what power NAV be
behind them. And. after all. who can
blame him? Why should he omen his
gates TO an enemy? Albania is always
in unrest, for in the north the Christians
predominant. and there is bound TO be
trouble ere long"
Then you believe that the whole thing
is a fiction2"
Most certainly IL Is. II there was any
idea OF the Sultan giving an trade. I
should most certainly know OF il. l have
good agents in Constantinople. No.
Take 1t from me that the concession will
never be given. 1t is not 10 Turkeys in
terest 10 allow the development Of Servia
and Bulgaria Therefore your friend S
pretty tale Is all a fairy story"
Then why is he pressing me to go out
10 Constantinople?" Max asked.
Sam Statham shrugged his shoulders.
indicative of ignorance.
Perhaps he thinks you will plank
down money he suggested.
mo. He wants nothing until I myself
WHERE TO DINE.