The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1908-02-06
The Roupell Mystery
CHAPTER XIV.
B y A u s t y n

'~~tuoA SASuiL anu lIuSl SOu1pduy II /,
was luxuriously furnished apartment
The chairs were deep, roomy and soft
They seemed made on purpose to lull one
into feelings of security. 1t 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 a
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 looked out 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. gigantic scheme, the float
ing of which would insure him very large
returns, had that very morning been put
by him before syndicate of capitalists.
1t was no less a one than the consolida-
tion of the docking interests of great
French seaport. The plan was to bring
all the owners together and form trust
on what is known as the American plan,
and then raise the dock tolls. With the
existing keen competition and the low
charges resulting therefrom, that property
ut present yielded but small return for
the capital invested.
The idea was brilliant one. 1t would
net the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany, If successful, three million francs,
and the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany virtually meant the Vicomte de Va
tiar. He had already enlisted considera-
ole 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
NJ. 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
tailed to properly impress him.
Then his wife, the vicomtesse, had 30
ably seconded his efforts to make D'Au-
buron feel that he was in good hands. She
had talked glibly Of their country place, q
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 roar and din of Paris. Those marvel
ous eyes of hers had looked into his very
soul and enthralled his senses.
De .Valiar smiled as he thought how
few who had come within their influence
had gotten away unscathed. A knock a
che door aroused him.
Come in," he cried out, and Jules Cha
,ot entered the room.
Where is your friend D'Auburon?' 2
was de Valiar's first question.
NJ Chabot did not Immediately reply
He sank into a chair. He seemed anx
aous and worried, and out of sorts.
What on earth's the matter with you
You're not i'll, are your calculated th
banker.
ITS my nerves, l think They're no
so strong as they used to be-"
You haven't been yourself for som
lime, ever since that ugly affair at Vile
neu9e," remarked de Valiar, sympathet
dcally.
Chabot shuddered, and hid his face IL
nis hands as if to shut out some horribl
sight
Don't speak of it, he almost whis
pered. so faint was his voice. 'Yes, i
was enough to upset anybody"
1T was a 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 Mademoselle Emily
wasn't it?" -
Lets change the subject. | came t
cell you something about DAuburon.
have discovered, on inquiry, that he /
even better fixed than l expected. HOY
big a block of stock had you put apar
Cor him in the United Dock Company?'
"A thousand shares l thought would b
ample. You know Colbert Remplin bring
as a large following, and there are BON
pard and the rest Still, some subscrih
ers will doubtless fail us at the last me
ment. Why do you ask?"
TT is not enough. He has some yer
wealthy friends. Only last night he wa
speaking of one, who, he says, follows hi
lead implicitly. He is Swiss. He pay
periodical visits to Paris, and it is sal
Invests very largely in anything tha
strikes his fancy"
That's not bad news. What is thi
Cresus' name?"
HE did not tell me-" replied Chabot
He simply said if he thought well enoug
Of the venture to put his own money in
that he would advise his friend to do like
wise, II we needed additional capita
What are shares to him%
"Par-of course. 1t is easier to sell a
oar than at fifteen francs on the one hur
dred. The one inspires confidence In
scheme, the other simply excites suspl
zion. In fact, I'm not sure but we Wi
out some premium on these Dock Com
pany shares A little premium alway
makes them more attractive"
"But there are seven millions Of waite
IN It"
"A proof concern like this dock trus
will stand good deal of water" reptile
the hnancier. After all, what does
matter? All these people will have
chance to sell out at profit when we d.
elare our first quarterly dividend Thos
whom we want to make use of in the fr
turs can be given hint when to unloa
their holdings"
~But ultimately the loss falls on some
body"
"And that somebody Is the public VIII
cares for us-well-about as much as W