Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-04-11

Sam Statham has agents in Con-
stantinople-agents who would offer
Muhil double the price Immediately,
and the ground would be cut under
our feet Statham knows good thing
when he sees 1t, you bet and If he
knew anything about this he wouldn't
stick at thousand or two
Then he doesn't know?"
At present he can't know It is a
secret between Muhil, Osman, and N.Y.
self"
And what about the French peo-
ple?"
"Of course they know; but they're
not such fools as to let out the secret, :"
replied Adam
We'll, what do you suggest?" Max
asked, taking a pull at the long tum-
bier
THAT We keep the affair strictly to
ourselves. Once we have the con-
cession in our hands there'll be hun
dred men in the city ready to take it
up. Why, old Statham would give us
a big profit on it, especially If, as you
say, you know his secretary"
"That was his secretary's sister
whom you met with me tonight" Max
remarked.
What an extremely pretty girl" ex-
claimed Adam enthusiastically.
Think so?" asked Barclay with a
smile of satisfaction.
Why of course. A face like hers
isn't seen every day. I was much
struck with it when first noticed you
from the circle, and wondered whom
she might be. Rolfe's her name,it is ?"
he added with a feigned air of un-
certainty.
yes Charlie Rolfe is old Sans
confidential secretary
Well afterwards, through him, we
might interest SAM remarked Adam
What We have first to do is to get
hold of the concession"
But how?"
by buying it."
The two men smoked in silence
Adams quick eye saw that the affair
was full of attraction for the man he
had marked down as victim.
You mean that l should put twelve
thousand into it?" Max said.
mot at ALL" responded the willy
Adam at once "In any case l do not
propose that you should put up the
whole sum. Ny idea is that we should
put UP six thousand each"
"And go shares?"
"And go shares" repeated Adam
knocking the ash from his cigar But
prior to doing SO l think it would be
only right for you to go out to Con-
stantinople, see Muhil. and ascertain
the truth of the whole affair. quite
admit that they are not sufficient
guarantee for you to put, down SIX
ness man for that
Max was fiattered by that last sen
tence.
Well" he said smiling, "I really
think it would be more satisfactory if
had-well, some confirmation of all
these statements"
You can obtain that at once by
going out to Constantinople," declared
Adam. You'll be out and home in
ten days, and I'll go with you," he
added persuasive1y.
well, shall have to consider" the
younger man replied after a brief
pause.
There is very little time to con-
sider," Adam said. "The French peo-
pie are at work and if they raise the
purchase price to Muhil we shall be-
compelled to do the same"
But we can get an option, sup
pose?"
II have it. But it expires in tendays
from tomorrow. After that Muhil will
make the best terms he can with the
French. The latter will have to pay
through the nose, no doubt but they'll
get it, without doubt. Their Embassy
is helping them
"And how long can l have to de-
cide?"
TO reach Constantinople in time we
have six days more We might then
take the Orient Express from Paris
and just do it. But" he added, "of
course If your inclination is against
the journey and inquiry l hope you'll
allow me to put it before somebody
else. Personally" he laughed, 81 can't
afford to miss this chance of making
a fortune. This remember. is no wild
mining speculation: it's solid, bed
rock enterprise. The Servians sur
veyed the line four years ago and got
out plans and estimates. There's a
printed copy of them at the Servian
Consulate here in London. So it's all
cut-and-dried."
well. hope, Adam, you'll allow me
little time to reflect. Six thousand
is decent sum, you know"
II don't want it until you've been
out there and seen Muhil, Mr. Bar
clay" Adam declared. Indeed re-
fuse to touch it until you have per-
sonally satisfied yourself of the bona
fides of the scheme. Muhil himself
must first assure you of the existence
of the trade, and that it Is actually in
his possession. Then I will put up SIX
thousand if you will put up the bal
ance."
And if it is more than twelve?"
why, we share the increase equally
of course
very we'll So far as it goes it is
agreed" said Max. 1T only remains
whether I go out to Turkey, Or not"
That's all. The sooner you can de-
eide. the better for our plans" Adam
remarked. "Only take good care that
old Statham does not learn what's in
the wind. You know him, I believer"
Yes, slightly. He's queer old
fellow-very eccentric.