The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-11-26
CHAPTER yII.-fContinued.,

dent. He tried to brace his nerves, but
his tones shook as he turned his colorless
face to meet the wretched, cruel one of
bis companion.
Speak - he said, almost hissingly-"if
sou know what this meansr
What it meansl - Historically retorted
Worthington-"ru :"
Nonsense :"
Kane shrugged his shoulders He had
got the mastery over momentary weak
ness now.
You see?" pursued the other-"a
avop'
-Of thirty points,
(which means"
"Only two Millions
Only two millions. yes-but il this
goes on"
1T can't" confidently insisted Kane.
Rouse up, man-some rascally stock
iotbing jugglery of competitors. A ca
hard has frightened he holders of our
STOCK, there has beer stampede. To
morrow our turn will come"
But the cause.-The causet" persisted
Worthington-"fo there was a cause
We are too solid to be the football of the
market; then whence the break-and
why"
Come in - spoke Kane grufiy, as tap
sounded on the polished mahogany door,
and messenger boy entered, handed him
a telegram. departed. Kane tore it open.
A queer click sounded in his throat For
\ second he breathed laboringly. He
handed the message to Worthington, the
latter in turn perused il.
"Great heavens, :" he gasped. "Kane
what is the meaning of this accommodating
disaster"
Tie message was from trusted agent
on the New York Stock Exchange and it
ran:
Our stock is going to pieces. 1t has
dropped thirty points in two hours. Blen-
nerhassett of the opposition syndicate has
announced that the company is four mill
ion in deficit on listed assets, and our
bonds inflated and duplicated at two diff
ferent local banking concerns. How did
be find outT'
How-for it was true, Old. tarred
swindler that he was. Percy V. Kane
shuddered as he realized what such a
revelation meant: First. in money loss,
next, in the eyes of the law.
Something's wrongr reiterated Wor-
Ellington. getting up and pacing the floor
like a prodded animal. There has been
leak. But-how:" {
You and 1 only knew of the bolster
ing necessary to tide over the last divi-
dend," said Kane thoughtfully.
"Unless-except-2"
Worthington hesitated He directed q
keen, though hesitating. glance at his
companion. The latter met the look stern
ly.
"Wellw he demanded
Except your private secretary
"Sher' burst forth Kane, rapturous,
instead Of an incensed man. Yes, Wor-
Ellington" he said softly-and if there
was one redeeming trait of gentleness in
his base nature it came to the front now
-"she, indeed, knows with us the shifts,
the secret subterfuges requisite for the
accomplishment of a gigantic coup. But"
and his voice grew even more tender, "she
Is one of u.s."
Zone of U.S."
"Yes-she is soon-very soon-to be-
come my WIFE"
''As far gone as that :" muttered wor-
Ellington. genuinely astonished.
$50" pursued Kane. whence and how
the leak, look elsewhere And ferret il
out, man for this is a serious, a critical
situation"
."You must act
II shall actr'
Listen" he said. focusing his glance
cpon his weak and frightened confrere.
his soul upon the theme in play "leave
me to myself for time. 1 will think out
way to checkmate Blennerhassett and
his crew. Meantime. you seek to learn
who is playing us false in this Office. /
5hall telegraph the Chemical National to
sell all our securities on the quiet. and
have the funds applied towards buying up
everything offered of our stock to-mor-
row."
'.Will it check the tide?" waveringly
tnsinuateG the president.
at will bluff our rivals"
But the local banks-the gross defec-
lion in assets"
Leave that to me: there is work to
1o-important, prompt. Why, man. we
dare not be broken now Tomorrow
election places IN our net seventy-three
Representatives and a Senator. Before
this election day is over we have the key
to the State treasury, a foothold in Con.
gress, our hands tight-clasped on the
throat of Justice, 1t is not State, this
country, that we own, then-the world i
our free stamping ground :"
"Kane, you are a bold genius-but
tr:st you to get us out of this dilemma. .
''You do not trust vainly :" declared
Kane.
Left to himself, be slowly, meditating
~ paced the apartment. He reflected
rapidly-but deeply. and to the point.
Something" was indeed wrong "a
hidden hand was cropping for the vitals OF
the great trust. Whose?
Something was wrong, They stood
to lose two millions unless public conf
dence could BE- restored, ard the shadow oil
perjury, dishonor, haunted their way un.
less past crooked dealing in the manipula-
ton of inflated and duplicated stock:
could be covered up.
Percy Kane thought out a way ~
then his lips broke TO a smile, and his
eyes grew tender.
IL; was thinking now of the lovely Cir
who had come into his life like new rev
citation of joy and delight, and for the mo-
ment he forgot his business troubles and
his political ASPIRATIONS
Again he was interrupted, again a rar
at the door irritated him.
Come in" he said impatiently.
A meanly dressed creature crossed tbs
threshold. At first careless glance Kan,
took him to be one of the workmen from
the mills.
Il want to show you something
began the visitor.
"Oh go to the superintendent" an
noyedly ordered Kane, believing the Wis
itor had come with some complaint, OF. a.
he extended one ragged arm, intended tc
disclose some injury received at work fol
which he hoped to secure compensation.
He waved the stranger away. The
latter sprang, strangely, quick and men
acing before him.
Mr. Percy Kane" he said, squarely
confronting the other, and kicking close
shut the open door behind him, 81 want