The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-05-22
The Roupell Mystery
CHAPTER XIV.
A u s t y n

CHAPTER XIV.
The Vicente de valiar was seated alone
n his private room in the Office Of the |
Mutual Credit and Trust Company. 1t
vas a luxurieusly furnished apartment.
The chairs were deep, roomy and soft
They seemed made on purpose to lull one
Into feelings Of security. It was about
ten o'clock in the morning. The vicomte's
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
single sheet, upon which an astonishing
array Of figures appeared.
Minute after minute passed, and 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 locked cut On the throng of peo-
pie which passed up and down the street.
But he hardly noticed anybody. He was
really lost in his reflections.
He had, indeed, good reason to be
thoughtful. A gigantic scheme, the hoat-
ing Of which would insure him very large
returns, had that very morning been put
by him before a syndicate Of capitalists.
It was No less one than the consolida-
ton Of the decking interests Of great
French seaport. The plan was to bring
all The owners together and form trust
on what IL known as the American plan,
and then raise the dock tolls. With the
existing keen competition AID the low
charges resulting therefrom, that property
at present yielded but small return for
the capital invested.
The idea was brilliant enc. 1t would
net the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany, II successful, three million francs,
and the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany virtually meant the Vicomte de Va
liar. He had already enlisted considera-
Die financial aid in support Of the scheme.
He was that morning expecting an addi-
tion to his forces in the person Of M.
D'Auburon, the friend Of that very useful
N. Chabot, who had introduced him to
the vicomte but few days previously.
To sell this young man big block OF
shares in the new enterprise, would. the
vicomte thought, not be very difficult
task. He had entertained him at his
house Only an evening or two ago. The
splendor 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-
huron 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 felicities Of rural life far away from
the rear and din Of Paris. Those marvel
GUS eyes of hers had looked into his very
soul and enthFalled his senses.
De Valiar smiled as he thought how
few who had come within their influence
had gotten away unscathed. A knock at
the door aroused him.
''Coms in" he cried out, and Jules Cha
bot entered the room.
'Where is your friend DAubursn?'
was de valiar's first question.
M. Chabot did not Immediately reply
He sank into 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 your CALCULATED thu
banker.
Its my nerves, think. They're no
20 strong as they used to be-"
"You haven't been yourself for SOM
time, ever since that ugly affair at Vile
neuvs," remarked de Valiar, sympathet
ically.
Chabot shuddered, and hid his face il
his hands as If to shut out some horribl
sight.
Don't speak of It," he almost Wits
pered, so faint was his voice. Yes,
was enough to upset anybody"
ut was peculiar hardship on you
Jules, Just as you were on the point o
succeeding as you say with-let me see
what's her name-Mademoiselle Emily
wasn't it2"
Lets change the subject. came :
tell you something about D'Auburon.
have discovered, on inquiry, that he
even better fixed than l expected. Ho'
big q block Of stock had you put apar
for him IN the United Dock Company"
"A thousand shares thought would b
ample. You know Colbert Remplin bring
us large following, and there are Bon
pard and the rest. Still, some subscril
ers will doubtless fell, US at the last m,
ment. Why do yen ask?"
ct Is not enough. He has some ver
wealthy friends. Only last night he wa
speaking Of one, who, he says, fellows h
lead implicitly. He is Swiss. He pay
periodical visits to Paris, and it is sal
invests very largely in anything tn,
strikes his fancy"
That's not bad news. What Is tn
Cresus' namew
He did net tell me-" replied Chabo
"He simply said If he thought well enouf
of the venture to put his own money /
that he would advise his friend to do lik
wise, If we needed additional capits
What are shares to him?'
"Par-ef course. 1t is easier to sell
par than at fifteen francs on the one hu
bred. The enc inspires confidence In
scheme, the other simply excites susI
cion. In fact, I'm not sure but we W
put some premium on these Dock Cor
pany shares. A little premium alwa
makes them more attractive"
But there are seven millions Of wat
In It"
"A proof concern like this dock tru
will stand a good deal of water" repli
the 6nancler. AFTER all, what does
matter2 All these people will have
chance to sell out at profit when we 1
clare our first quarterly dividend. The
whom we want to make use of in the
A,~~~ ko NJ suf hos e. l.