The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-04-01

Soy, Bogley, euhGt does this meant"
was just preparing to go to the rendez.
vous he would spring the trap. Such
cad deserved no mercy. The scandal
would be knockout blow, his father
would discharge him on the spot, and
that would be the last they would see
of the aristocratic English secretary.
Jefferson. put the letter In his pocket
and left the house rejoicing.
h
While the foregoing Incidents were
happening John Burkett Ryder was Sc
cluded in his library. The great man
had come home earlier than usual, for
he had two important callers to see by
appointment that afternoon. One was
Sergeant Ellison, who had to report on
his mission to Massapequa; the other
was Miss Shirley Green, the author Of
1.-THE American Octopus" who had at
last deigned to honor him with a visit.
Pending the arrival of these visitors
the f1nancier was busy with his secre-
tary trying to get rid as rapidly as pos
s1ble of what business and correspond
ence there was on hand.
The plutocrat was sitting at his desk
porting over mass Of papers, Between
bis teeth was the inevitable long black
cigar, and when he raised his eyes to
the light close observer might have
remarked that they were sea green,
color they assumed when the man of
millions was absorbed in scheming
new business deals. Every now and
then he stopped reading the papers to
make quick calculations on scraps of
paper. Then if the result pleased him
a smile overspread his saturnine fea-
lures. He rose from his chair and
nervously paced the floor as he always
did when thinking deeply.
"Five Millions" he muttered, mot
cent more. If they won't sell We'll
crush them
Mr.. Bagley entered. Mr.. Ryder look
ed up quickly.
"Well, Bagley?" he said interroga-
lively. HAS Sergeant Ellison come?'
Eyes, sir. But Mr.. Herts is down.
stairs. He insists on seeing you about
the Philadelphia gas deal. He says it
is a matter Of life and death"
ITO him-yes,'' answered the fnan-
cier dryly. LET him come up. We
might as we'll have it out now.''
Mr.. Bagley went out and returned al
most Immediately, followed by a short,
fat man, rather loudly dressed and ap-
oplectic in appearance. He looked like
prosperous brewer, while, as mat
ter Of fact, he was president of gas
company, one Of the shrewdest promot-
ers in the country, and a big man In
Wall street. There was only one big
ger man and that was John Ryder.
But, today, Mr.. Herts was not in good
condition. His face was pale and his
manner f1ustered and nervous. He was
plainly worried
"Mr Ryder" he began with excited
gesture, "the terms you offer are pre-
posterous. 1t would mean disaster to
the stockholders. Our gas properties
are worth six times that amount. We
will sell out for $20OOO,OOO, not a cent
less"
Ryder shrugged his shoulders.
''Mr. Herts," he replied coolly, II am
busy today and in no mood for argu-
ing. Well either buy you out or force
you out. Choose. You have our offer.
Five millions for your gas property.
Will you take it?''
well see you In tophet f1rstr' cried
his visitor, exasperated. - 81 ..-.~ .
every well,' replied Ryder, still I'M
rufaed, "all negotiations are of. You
leave me free to act. We have an
offer to buy cheap the old Germantown
Gas company, which has charter rights