Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-02

gestion dawned upon him. "Ah. see.
You refuse to help me, Mr. .Statham,
because-because love her"
And his face became pale, hard-set,
and determined.
CHAPTER XXXVII1.
Friend or Foe2
The two men We're silent for some
moments. Statham was watching his
visitors face. To him it was, at least,
satisfactory to know that Marion had
disappeared, fearing to let her lover
know the reason of her sudden DIS
missal lest he should misjudge her.
Truth to tell he had anticipated
that she would have gone straight to
Barclay and told him the truth. With
in himself he acknowledged that he
had played the poor girl scoundrelly
trick, but consoled himself with the
thought that when mans life was at
stake, as his was, any mode of escape
became justifable.
At last the old man stirred in his
chair and, turning to Max said:
please understand plainly it is not
because l refuse to help you, but be-
cause it is not within my province to
dictate to Cunnington replies regard
ing MS dSSlSlauIS.
But you hold controlling interest
in the firm" declared the other.
''That may be so, but have nothing
to do with the details Of organisation,
he replied. mo, Mr.. Barclay, let us
end this matter with an expression Of
my regret at being unable to assist
you. Perhaps, however, may be able
to do SO in another direction
'In another direction" he echoed.
"How?'
.'ln a small matter of business
Max Barclay was both surprised and
interested. He knew quite well that
Statham could, if he wished, give him
previous knowledge that would enable
him to make considerable coup. lgno-
rance of Marion's visit to the old man
or the cause of her dismissal allowed
him to regard the millionaire with
feelings of friendliness. and to reflect
that, after all, he had no power to
dictate to Cunnington.
you know, Mr.. Barclay" he said,
81 frequently obtain confidential
knowledge Of what is transporting in
the world of finance. The other day
1t came to my ears, through source
it is unnecessary to mention, that the
Adriatic railway concession had been
placed before you"
Max opened his eyes. He believed
that not 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
ga big thing" remarked the old
man in his croaking voice. "a very
big thing indictments prosperity to
the Balkan countries. But pardon me
if l ask one or two questions. Do not
think have any intention of going
behind your back, or attempting to up
set your plans. l merely ask for in
formation, because, as perhaps you
know, there is but one man in Lon
don who could float such a thing, ant
it is myself"
II 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 a smile
But can you, without injury to your
this business?"
"a Frenchman-Mr. Jean Adam, O.
ConstantiDople.'
Statham's face never, moved {
muscle OF this he was already quite
well aware.
IAN old friend of your, suppose?"
''Not-not exactly an old friend.
met him for the first time about f;
month or SO ago." responded Max.
And what do you know of him."
Nothing much except that believe
him to be a man of the highes
integrity and the possessor of man,
friends interested in high finance
"Oh! and what causes you to be
lieve that?"
"Well, we first met in Paris, where
having mooted the idea Of a partner
ship, he introduced me to seyera
well-known people, among them Barol
Teller, who arranged the match mo
nopoly OF Turkey, and Herr Hengel
mann, of Frankfort, whom, no doubt
you know as the concessionaire of tn,
German railway from the Bosphoru
to Bagdad."
The old man gave vent to a dis
satisfied grunt.
Both men stand very high in tn
financial world, do they not?" Ma;
said.
"Well-they did, replied old San
smiling.
did? What, have they gone under?
mo. Only Hengelmann has been II
his coffin fully two years, and tn
Baron died at Nice last winter"
"What?" cried Max, starting fol
ward.
81 repeat what I say, Mr.. Barclay
Your friend Adam has been indulgin
in pretty fiction"
Are you sure? Are you quite sur
} they are dead?"
"Most certainly. l was staying i
mRama G.