Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-12-07
lCOntinued from last week.

guest at the breakfast table the next
morning, although as sat there alone
Fosdick returned from the deck to the
cabin, seeking a raincOat, and report
ing a heavy fog, through which the
yacht was proceeding slowly. The YES
sci was still within easy view of Mon
tauk, or had been before the mist shut
down, but the really important news
had come to Darlington by wireless
positive information of the outbreak
Of war. Russia and France were pit
ted against Germany and Austria in
the death grapple. The German troops
had already begun an invasion of Bel
GUM on their drive toward Paris. II
was still unknown what course Eng.
land would take.
The nature of this news obscured all
my meal. Other messages were mo-
mentarily expected, and dressed has
tily, and joined the little group on the
deck, just as a cabin boy handed Car.
rington a new message. He read 1t,
crashing his clenched hand down on
the rail.
"Its all over with now" he ex.
claimed, holding the paper aloft, and
gazing about into our eager faces.
England declares war, gentlemen. She
will stand by her treaty with Belgium.
Here is our opportunity; listen to me.
This is going to be the greatest war
In history every nation in Europe may
be involved before it is ended. Do you
realize the commodity most in de-
mand? the one metal those armies can.
not get along without? 1t is copper.
They must have it, and they must buy
1t of us. This morning, as soon as
received that first dispatch, wired my
agents to buy, buy. Now, with Eng
land in, the result is certain"
He paused, and studied the faces In
the group.
gentlemen, there is wealth enough
here on this yacht to control the entire
copper output, If we work swiftly. The
profit will be enormous. / have the
campaign all mapped out; l know
where TO buy, and my agents are ready
to execute my orders. I am going to
say to you frankly that I had the
thought in mind when first organized
this cruise. / believed this crisis was
approaching, and prepared for 1T. By
wireless we can operate surely and Sc
cretly. with no possible fear Of be
trayal. The only question is, are yOr
ready to back me up?'
The expression on the faces of those
gathered about him reflected the va
ried character of the men. They were
alike startled by the unexpected TURF
of affairs, yet financial greed evidently
predominated. Even the one German
in the group had seemingly forgotten
his nationality in view of the golden
bait dangling SO temptingly before his
eyes. Fosdick, actuated by his lawyer
instincts, and still cool and calculating
was first to question the proposition.
"You are perfectly assured of being
able to control the market?" Fosdick
asked.
81 already practically CONTROL" re-
turned Darlington confidently. "With
a little more capital the game Is GER
tain. In twelve hours, gentlemen, we
can have the copper situation entirely
in our hands Here are my holdings
individually. 1 need your help to
close the DEAL"
They bent over the papers, eager to
grasp the truth, but abundantly salts
fed with a quick glance at the magic
figures. 1t was evidently enough q
master stroke, business deal easy to
comprehend, and all that remained for
them to do was to take their profits.
"You-you return Immediately to
New York;" questioned Mccain, his
lips trembling.
Certainly not; our game at present
is to keep out Of sight; permit no one
TO discover who is behind the move
ment. Your personal checks will sat-
isfy me. I propose holding the yacht,
say hundred miles from shore, and
conducting the entire business by wire
less. That makes it safe and sure"
The group of financiers stared at
each other, one waiting for the next
to voice decision. Fosdick, as usual,
took the initiative.
I'm heartily with you, Darlington"
ne said frankly, s'you can count on my
heck for hundred thousand dollars
.t.Et now"
"And l." "and l." echoed from lip TO
lip.
Darlington, smiling pleasantly,
turned toward me.
"And how about you, Hollis? Com.
Ing In with us? We ought to have one
Chicago representative, you know"
shook my head, doubling my abil-
fly to produce the amount required off.
hand.
mot today; give me few hours to
think it over. I should like to talk
with you privately first"
"All right; we shall have enough
without you, but I'll hold the chance
open until you do decide. Let's ad.
journ to the cabin, gentlemen, where
you can draw your checks while the
steward opens q few bottles. This is
an occasion to be celebrated"
We were upon our feet, not unwilling
TO eScaDe from the raw air when the