The Huttig news., 1917-09-22

CHAPTER II-Hollis, the next night. succeeds in having an interview with the woman. She merely tells him her name is Vera.
 slept so soundly as to be the last guest at the breakfast table the next morning, although as I sat there alone Fosdick returned from the deck to the cabin, seeking raincoat, and report ing a heavy fog, through which the yacht was proceeding slowly. The yes sel 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 gium on their drive toward Paris. It was still unknown what course Eng land would take.
 The nature of this news obseured all else, and left me unable to complete my meal. Other messages were mo mentarily expected, and 1 dressed has tily, and joined the little group on the deck, just as cabin boy handed Car rington new message. He read if, 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? It 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. l have the campaign all mapped out; l know where to buy, and my agents are ready to execute my orders. l am going to say to you frankly that l had the thought in mind when I first organized this cruise. I believed this crisis was approaching, and prepared for It. By wireless we can operate surely and se- cretly. with no possible fear of be- trayal. The only question is, are you ready to back me upf"
 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 turn of affairs, yet financial greed evidently nredominated. Even the one German in the group had seemingly forgotten his nationality In view of the golden bait dangling so temptingly before his eyes. Fosdiek. aetuated by his lawyer instincts. and still cool and calculating, was first to question the proposition.
 "You are perfectly assured or being able to control the market?" Fosdiek asked.
 "f already practically control re- turned Darlington confidently. with little more capital the game IS cer- tain. In twelve hours, gentlemen, we can have the copper situation entirely In our hands. Here are my holdings
 
 close the deai.'
 They bent oyer the papers. eager 10 grasp the truth. but abundaauy satls' fled with quick glance at the magic figures. It was evidently enough q master stroke, business deal easy to comprehend, and all that remained for them to do WAS to taEa their profits
 "You-you return immediateie ta New YOrk2" questioned McCann, his lips trembling,
 "CertainIy not Gur 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. propose holding the yacht, say A hundred miles from shore, aRa conducting the entire business by wire less. That makes it safe and sure"
 The group of fipaneiers stared at each other, one waiting for the next to voice decision. Fosdick, as usual, took the initiative,
 I'm heartily with yon, Darlington" he said frankly, ''yeD enD count on my check for hundred thousand dollars right now"
 And l." land l." echoed from lip to iip
 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, donbtipg my ahli- fly 10 produce the amount required orr7 hand.
 Not today: give me few hours to think 1t over. I should like to talk with you privately first"
 N.