Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
CHAPTER K.
At the Kings Command.


- TvENs' plan would have ave, gone
through without a hitch but
for one thing. He had over
looked the fact that the king
dom Of Mammon in America has
king and that the present ruler is very
much alive. A man of few words. of
iron will. Of fiery temper. of keen in
tellect, proud. ambitious. resourceful.
bold. successful. a giant in physique
and giant in personality.
1t happens that his majesty is an old
time Wall street banker. with inherited
traditions about banks and the way
their funds should be handled. He
had long held a pet aversion. The Van
Dam Trust company had become an
offense to his nostrls. 1t had built
huge palace far up town and it's presi
dent had attempted 10 set up a court
of his own. He had gathered about
him a following. among them an ex-
president of the United States. Gold
had poured into the treasury of the
great marble palace in a constant
stream until its deposits had reached
the unprecedented sum OF 100000 900.
sum greater than the royal bank 1T
self could boast.
When the king heard the first rumor
Of the fact that the Van Dam Trust
was backing the schemes of the Allied
Bankers in their sensational rad on
the market his big nostrils suddenly
dilated.
At last he had them inst where he
wanted them. He signed the death
warrant of the bank and handed II to
his executioner without a word of COM
ment And then a most curious thing
happened. The king summoned to his
presence little, dark. swarthy man.
When Bivens received this order to
appear at court he was dumfounded.
He had long worshiped and feared
the king with due reverence and al
ways spoke his uame with awe. To
be actually called into his august pres
ence in such a crisis was an undream-
ed of honor. He FASTENED into the
royal presence with beating heart. The
sovereign glanced up with quick en-
ergy.
Mr.. Bivens. / believer
| The little man bowed low.
Il hear that you are about to aid the
/ Van Dam Trust with four millions In
CASH."
Bivens smiled with pride.
My secretary will deliver the money
to the bank within an hour"
/ The king suddenly wheeled in his
/ hiu ounhrnvuS onh
/ fixed the little man with a stare that
! froze the blood in his veins. When he
spoke at length his tones were smooth
1 as velvet.
IF l may give you a suggestion. Mr..
Bivens. would venture to say that
the Van Dam Trust company is be-
yond aid. The larger interests OF the
nation require the elimination Of this
institution and its associates.
II have heard good reports OF you.
and l wish to save you from the dis
8ster about to befall the gentlemen
who have been conducting the present
campaign in Wall street. If your sec
rotary will report to me at once with
the four millions you have set aside
for the Van Dam company l shall be
pleased to place your name on my ex-
ecutive council in the big movement
/ we begin today. The other gentlemen
whom / have thus honored are now
waiting for me in the adjoining room
They represent a banking power that
is resistless at the present moment.
when the Van Dam Trust closes Its
doors today a temporary panic will
follow. We will give the gentlemen
their own medicine. render a service
to the nation and Incidentally. OF
course, earn an honest dollar or two
for ourselves. ! trust | have your
hearty support in this program
Bivens again bowed low.
MY hearty support and my pro
foundest gratitude"
I'll expect your secretary with youI
check for four millions within thirty
minutes"
The king waved a friendly gesture
OF dismissal. and the little dark figure
tremblingly withdrew. he had beer
ordered to stab his associates
Without a moments hesitation hs
gave the cruel orders that sent then
hurting over the precipice
When the president OF the Van Dan
Trust company failed to receive tht
promised millions from BIvens he call
ed his telephone and. receiving no an
swer, sprang into his automobile anC
dashed downtown to the little maiI
Office
When the clerk Mt the door Informed
him that Mr. Rivens could not he seeI
by any one. he drove hack 10 the paIa
dal house Of bis bank. smiled sadl.