The Cairo bulletin., 1912-12-14

said that these mines are worth two
hundred and twenty thousand dol
lars"
Then" I said, ''you mean this loss
to fall on Hurst & solmeyer?"
NO." he said, Hurst & Solmeyer
will make twenty thousand dollars"
Surely" ! said, you do not mean
to date this mortgage before the other
one, do you? No notary could be got
to certify an incorrect date"
He looked at me moment.
Parks, he said, Il fear that you are
beginning to be a fool" Then he came
down the steps and went into his pri.
yate Office,
This light breaking suddenly on d
supposedly hopeless darkness, con-
fused me, or else | had not put use
less questions to Randolph Mason, |
should have known better Mason's
words were never idle, nor were his
plans visionary and barren, whether
he bid one do a little or a great thing.
The story of Naaman and the Prophet
was convincing precedent. l did not
understand these new instructions and
could not point out their intent to Gen
eral Cruger, but knew that pit was
being digged for Myron Gates, and
that was light enough.
explained all this frankly to the
old man that evening after dinner at
the Holland. | urged him with the
logic Of the Syrian's servants. If Ran.
dolph Mason had bid us build a great,
looming trap for the wolf, we should
have done it. How much rather then
this easy thing which he suggested!
did not comprehend, any more than
he, how it could result as Mason said
1t would. 1t would take, in my opin-
ion, words and passes, charmed anu.
let's and the laying on of hands to in
duce any bankers to advance money
On a second mortgage when the prop
erty involved was worth scarcely the
value Of the first. Still, Randolph Ma
son said the bankers would pay over
the money, and he knew. | would
pledge my life on that / was aware,
too, that Solmeyer believed in Mason
as the Maid of IsEel did in Elisha,
and that the firm had made a fortune
OF six figures through that faith.
had my way about it in the end.
The meeting of the Cruger Coal com
pany was held, the record correctly
made, the bonds authorized, and the
mortgage prepared in every detail as
the law required it. took it to Ran
doIph Mason when the scriyener had
hnished. He examined it carefully,
called in notary, dictated the GER
uhCate, had the signatures properly
alilxed, and sent me with 1t to the
bankers. They took it with the bonds
and handed General Cruger draft on
the Rothschilds In Paris for two hun
dred thousand dollars. l walked up
town with the bewildered old man to
his club. He was silent for block of
the way, dazed by this incredible for
time. Finally, he put his hand on my
arm.
My dear friend" he said, II seem
TO be quite awake, and yet this event
is after the manner of dreams or the
illusion Of some Oriental drug"
He went on slowly little farther
up Broadway. Then he stopped az
though taken with a sudden reEolu-
ton
Mr.. Parks" he said. Randolph Ma.
son directed me to 90 to Europe and
hide this money in my daughters
apron. will go tomorrow on the Bal
tic. Come down to the ship at eleven
and explain this miracle to me. will
run up home now for the luggage"
Then he took a car to his train and
] returned to the banking house Of
Hurst Il Solmeyer /, also. wished an
explanation ! walked straight through
the building TO the private office of
the elder banker, and sat down be-
fore him at his table.
"Solmeyer" | said, were You sure
that the brick which you have Just
bought is gold?"
The old man smiled and stroked his