Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-11-28
CHAPTER TX.
The Storm Breaks.

~ aAS
"HE sensation which the district
attorney sprang in the sudden
Indictment Of the president Of
the Iroquois company was pro-
found and ~farreaching. The day before
the indictment was presented to the
grand jury stocks began to tumble
without any apparent cause.
When the warrant for the arrest Of
the great man had been served, and
he was admitted to bail to await his
coming trial. there was a feeble rally
In the market, but the rats quickly be-
gan to desert a sinking ship. The
president under Indictment had ceased
to be a power. There was a wild
scramble Of his associates who were
equally guilty to save their own skins.
The press, which at first denounced
Stuart, now boldly demanded the mer-
CHESS prosecution Of all the guilty, and
they hailed the brilliant young district
attorney as the coming man.
For six consecutive days stocks had
fallen with scarcely an hours tenn
porary rally. Every effort Of the bull
operators, who had ruled the market
for the, two years past, to stem the
tide was futile. Below the surface, in
the silent depths Of growing suspicion
and fear, an army Of sappers and min
ers under the eye Of one man were
digging at the foundations Of the bust
ness world-the faith Of man in his
fellow man.
Each day there was a crash, and
each day the little financier and his
INSCRIPTIONS allies marked a new VIC
tim. In the midst Of the campaign
for the destruction Of public credit
which Bivens and his associates, the
Allied Bankers. were conducting with
Buch profound secrecy and such re.
markable results, when their profits
had piled up into millions. a bomb was
suddenly exploded under their own
headquarters.
The Van Dam Trust company was
put under the ban Of the New York
clearing house. The act was II breach
of faith. utterly nnwarranted 10y any
known law of the game. But it was
done.
When the president of the company
walked quietly into Bivens' office and
made the announcement for a moment
the little dark man completely lost his
nerve. Cold beads of sweat started
from his swarthy forehead.
''There must be some mistake"
There's no mistake. It's a blow be-
low the belt. but it's a knockout for
the moment. They know we are sol.
vent, two dollars for one. But they
know we have $4,000. 900 on deposit.
and we have some big enemies. They
know that the group we have support
ed have smashed this market, and
they've set out to fight the devil with
fire. They're determined to force a
showdown and see how much real
money is behind US. We can pull
through If we stand together"
Bivens sprang to his feet. exclaiming
f1ercely:
Until hell freezes over!!"
The banker smiled feebly for the
first time In q week.
Then it's all right. Mr.. Bivens.
Well pull through. They'll start a
run on us tomorrow. Five millions in
cash will meet it. and We'll win hands
down. We have powerful friends.
Our only sin is u association with
your group. We must have that five
millions in the safe before the doors
are opened tomorrow"
"You shall have it." was the firm an.
swer.
With a cheerful pressure of the hand
the president of the Van Dam Trust
company left, and Bivens called his
secretary.
I'VE turn the market tomorrow-or.
ders to all our men. Knock the bottom
out Of 1t until the noon hour. then