The Washington herald., 1912-01-14
CHAPTER VI.
Breaking Relations.

It was an anxious day for the two big
leaders in the terrific money duel that
had hurled the nation TO the very brink
of ruin. The man who had sent his
partner to Washington paced UP and
down his private office. his teeth sunk
into an unlit cigar, and, as he walked,
he cursed Darwin, Washington, and all
connected with them with hearty sin
cerity.
Why didn't the man strike, he asked
himself again and again. He knew that
in spite of all he could do, in spite of
tricks and threats, Emerson had gone
up and down Wall street from Broadway
10 the river, hat in hand, begging for
Noney. and that he must now be on the
eve Of Securing the last instalIment of
the needed $5.OOO,OOO.
He knew that those notes would not
live ten seconds after Wilbur Emerson's s
hands closed on the money to redeem
them, and he also knew that without
them 1t would be next to impossible for
the Federal government to secure the
evidence necessary to convict.
Emerson was at his Office at 7:I5 in
the morning and out again a few min
utes later. Promptly at o'clock his
card was taken into the private office
OF old man Carroway. of Carroway,
Carter & Co. For nearly three hours
Tie veteran broker and young finapcier
talked in undertones, their heads at times
so close together that the dark hair
seemed to mingle with the gray.
Occasionally one of them would lean
back hand turn 10 the table and figure
rapidly with a pencil and paper, and
then the talk would go on once more.
It was nearly noon when Mr.. Caro-
way touched button and handed one
Of his clerks a written order. The lat
ter went out and returned presently
with a packet tied up with red ribbon
and disappeared.
Emerson's hand trembIed slightly as
he took it and buttoned it UP close IN
his breast pocket. He gripped the older
mans hand and tried 10 speak, but
choked. Mr.. Carroway nodded and pat
ted his shoulder, and Emerson reeled out
of the office all but blind with Joy. In
his pocket he had the last half million.
1t was like him not to tell his partners
a word about their salvation until it was
assured. Raymond and Tooker were out
when he returned, but he passed Cowpei,
in the corridor Cowper was pale and
wild-eyed. Emerson's lips twitched as he
saw the mans haunted look and trie,l
to stop him. But Cowper dashed by him.
Come to the house at S, George. sure,"
he called after him. Cowper half-turned
his head with jerky nod.
IAN right" he called back, and hurried
out.
Emerson stood looking out the door for
several minutes, and a vague presenti-
ment Of coming danger crept over him.
What had been the matter with Cowper
for the last few days? He had been act
ing so strangely. Emerson shrugged his
shoulders and chuckled lightly.
I'm getting to be like an old woman "
he muttered. Getting scared after the
dangers all over.
To end all uneasiness, he hurried in,
the vault, deposited the bonds. ana cot
out the envelope containing the notes
He ran his eve over them .hurrfedIv.
They were all there
No one would ever know how stronvlv
he had been tempted to DESTROY his
fathers note when he secured the frs.
father who was innocent Of
all wrong. But he put the impuise stern
" down as treacherous to his partners
Swing one. swing all, was his motto
He put the envelope IN his pocket ana
went to lunch
And il was lunchi 1t was the first
lime that he had felt hungry in si.
weeks. and he tried to make up for All
re had missed. It was nearly go when
he returned to the bank. Just inside the |
,uter door he found his way barred by q |
hick-set man with a stubby gray mus
ache.
why. what's the matter with you.' he |
demanded.
Sorry. SIR" was the calm reply. ssb,it
he Federal government has taken charge |
4 your vaults and books"