The Washington herald., 1908-03-16
CHAPTER Xxx.

plans tribe further
He was aware that Max had taken the
opinion of a man he knew on the stock
exchange as 20 the probable value Of the
concession for the Danube-Adriatic Rail
way. and that his reply had been highly
favorable. Therefore. he was confident
that such an opportunity Of making
money by an honest deal Max would not
let slip.
They had known each other several
months. and Adam. with his engaging
manner and courteous bearing. had
wormed himself into the younger mans
confidence. A dozen times Max had been
his host. but on each occasion the other
took good care TO quickly return the hos
pitality- To Max he represented himself
as resident in Constantinople. A few
years ago he had been fortunate enough
20 obtain a concession from the Ottoman
government. which, being flOated in Paris,
had placed him in a very comfortable
position, and he was now about TO aim
for bigger and more lucrative things.
You see" he was saying as he pro-
duced an official report 10 the foreign
ofiice-a pamphlet-like document in a blue
paper cover-"here is what our consul in
Belgrade reported on the scheme two
years ago. Such a line he says would
tap nearly half the trade that now goes
to Odessa. besides giving Servia a sea-
port 1t will be the biggest thing In rail-
ways for years, depend upon it,"
Max went TO the writing table. where
the lamp was burning. and glanced
through the paragraphs of the consular
report and several other printed docu-
ments which his friend handed to him in
succession. Then Adam produced a map.
and upon it traced the route OF the pro-
posed line
We'll" Barclay said at last. rising and
lighting a cigar. 1T all seems pretty
plain sailing I'll go tomorrow and see
old Statham about IT, His secretary.
Rolfe. is a friend Of mine"
mo, Mr.. Barclay" said the willy Adam.
IF were you I would not
''Why2"
We'll. if you do. you'll queer all our
plans-both yours and mine. he unused.
vaguely.
''How?''
Sam Statham has agents in CONSTANT
nople-agents who could offer Muhil
double the price Immediately. and the
ground would be cut from under our feet
Statham knows a good thing when he
sees IT, you bet, aud II he knew anything
about this he wouldn't stick at a thou
sand or two"
Then he doesn't know7"
AT present he can't know. II is a Sc
cret between Muhil Osman, and MYSELF"
And what about the French people?"
"Of course, they know; but they're not
such fools as to let out the secret" re-
piled Adam.
well what do you suggest?' Max ask
ed, taking pull al the long tUmbler.
THAT we keep the affair strictly to
ourselves Once we have the concession
in our hands. therell be a hundred men
in the city ready TO take it up. Why. old
Statham would give US big profit on il.
- especially IL. as you say, you know his
secretary"
That was his secretary's sister whom
you met with ME tonight" Max re-
marked
What an extremely pretty girl ex-
claimed Adam. enthusiastically.
Think sou asked Barclay, with
smile of satisfaction.
why. Of course. A face like hers isn't
seen every day l was much struck with
il when 1 first noticed you from the cir
Gle, and wondered whom she might be-
Rolfe's her name, is it?' he added with
a feigned air of uncertainty
Yes Charlie Rolfe is old Sans con-
hdential secretary"
Well afterward. 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 H."
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 a victim
You mean that I should put $1,000
into it?" Max said
Not at all" responded the willy Adam
at once. in any case do not propose
that you should put up the whole sum-
My 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 10 ConstantinOple.
see Muhil. and ascertain the truth OF the
whole affair You have only my word
for il ali-and the letter. / quite admit
that they are not sufficient guarantee for
you TO put down six THOUSAND You are
too good a business man for that"
Max was 1attered by that last sentence.
Well. he said smiling. Il really think
il would be more satisfactory If I had
ments.''
You can obtain that at once by going
out to Constantnople," declared Adam.
You'll be out and home in ten days. and
I'll go with YOU. he added persuasively.
well, l shall have 20 consider it." the
younger man replied after brief pause.
There is very little time TO consider,
Adam said The French people are at
work. and II they raise the purchase
price TO Muhf we shall be compelled TO
do the same.
But We can get an option. suppose?"
II have it. But it expires in ten days
from tomorrow. After that MuhiI will
have 70 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 / have TO declde?"
TO reach Constantinople in time we
have six days more. We might then take
the Orient express from Paris and lust
do it. But" he added. ''of course if your
inclination is against the journey and
inquiry / hope you'll allow me TO put II
before somebody else. Personally" ne
laughed, II can't afford 20 miss this
chance of making a fortune. This. re-
member. is no wild mining speculation:
it's solid. bedrock enterprise. The Ser
VANS surveyed the line four years ago
and got out plans and estimates There's
printed copy Of them at the Servian
consulate here in London So it's all cut
and dried"
Well. l hope. Adam. you'll allow me
little time TO reflect. Six thousand is
decent sum, you know"
i don't want It until you've been out
there and seen Mahil. MT. Barclay"