The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-14
Now Go On With the Story

1
| L~~~~~~~>>~~~~~~->~~-
! in combination-nerve and magma
ton. That's why I'm putting this
through and why you're the man to
help me-
Somebody has to control $4,000
men living in a big city under his
! rule alone. He has got to see that
these men sink II mile hole in
the ground. There is no precedent
for any stunt like this in the world.
No one can tell what to do. because
no one has any way of knowing what
is going to come up. He has got to
have a quick imagination and iron
nerve-and you've got both of these.
Now, will you take it?"
Rives gave an embarrassed laugh.
A PROMISE
We'll, 1 don't see how I can re-
fuse after that speech. Mac he said.
What an orator was wasted when
you went in for steel fixin's and sim
liar vanitiesi I told you I'd stick,
and I'll tackle anything you say. If
I pull bloomer, it's your fault. When
i do I begin?"
Right after breakfast Allan
glanced at his watch.
Il have an appointment-old Wit
tersteiner-for o'clock this evening.
but L fancy it won't keep me long.
Then I'll be at your disposal-for the
next 10 years.
what does he want?" asked Allan
keenly.
That's what 1 want to find out.
Probably after some inside informa-
ton, and he thinks he can get it from
me better than from you.
We'll, you haven't any inside in
formation-yet But you're going to
have some before you 60"
Want me to look over some
plans?"
mo, 1 have told you twice that
| you ceased to be an architect when
you came down here last night.
Plans, Why, old man, do you know
that by the time you have ripped the
cover off the earth down there in
Jersey every plate and bolt and rivet
in that tunnel will be accounted for
on blue print?"
HIM. 1 can see some trouble ahead
for some craftsman unused Riyes.
We'll. let's have it,
Allan looked at the dilettante quiz
zically.
You haven't asked about your pay,
Jack he remarked. Rives waved his
hand.
Never mind I'll get enough pay
] in credit out of this job. With my
well known gifts for the limelight, ]
shall soak UP most of the glory that
coming to me. In the meantime
Providence has not been unkind to me,
so will have to shake you down for
only nominal salary"
| How would you like to pay your
self?" inquired Allan.
That's what | have been just out
lining to YOU
But l mean-cashi"
| This was said earnestly. Mutely
Rives asked for details. The engi-
| neer's hand dropped on pile of tele-
grams.
| CLEVER SCHEME
~See these2 Well, these represent
more millions. potentially, than either
of us ever need"
you interest me- commented
Rives, with irony.
How much money can you raise
to the last dollar-within the next As
| hours?'
4 don't know-four. maybe five
millions
| would you like to bet it on 80
to loser"
Rives laughed ITS not sports
manlike. but I might be dragged
shrieking into it IL 1t isn't too open a
violation of the penal code.
Its a real estate option DEAL
HIM Proceed"
MY dear chap, hasn't ii occurred
to you what is going to happen
around the entrance to the tunnel?
In the first place, there will be at
least $4,000 workmen there That
means that within year there viii
be four new cities in the world. each
with a population of from 100000 to
500 600. and after that the population
viii shoot up in bounds. My simple
little plan has all been laid out. When
these teIegrams are received my
agents will use within the next two
DAYS nearly every cent of the $4,000.
| 900 I have made out of Atlantic buy
ing M options and taking titles
where that isn't possible. / am going
| to own the land on which these cities
will have TO be built"
| Good Lord" breathed Rives, after
a pause, as IL to take in the details
| II should say it was a sure so to
shoty'
well. what do you think? Do you
want to get in it?'
Want to! You couldn't keep me
/ l.
cramping myself too much
Then" said Allan, quietly, picking
| up a pencil, "Fll extend the orders
just that much
Riyes watched him in silence for g
minute or two. He was thinking
Il rapidly and clearly.
Mac" he said, soIemnly, at last
II don't think / ever before got tho
real idea of how big this thing is
Here we are going to shake a few
hundred millions out of 1t and never
get nearer than the outskirts of the
real profits. lit comes pretty neal
being TOO big I'm thinking abou
the Tower of Babel, and-Mac, 1t al
most scares met'
BY the time Rives started dowI
town that evening to keep his ap
pointment with Mr.. Wittersteiner a