The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-04-27

keep me company, seemingly In gen.
ial mood In spite Of the delay.
He lit a cigar. and leaned comfort
ably back in his chair, looking amiabiy
across at me through the blue haze Of
smoke.
Rather nice bunch Of fellows for q
cruise. don't you think?"
"Quite so. although only knew two
previously"
"Yes-Fosdick and Mccain. The
others are either bankers or brokers !;
fellows I meet every day or SO In my
business, you know. You have never
done much In stocks?"
shook my head.
my business education was In an
entirely different school," I said quiz
city, ignoring his lead. my father
never speculated."
II know his feelings on that subject"
and Darlington chuckled, as though ut
a pleasant memory. II never advocate
speculation myself, but have never
shown any Qualms Of conscience
against betting on sure thing. Per-
haps we can discuss this later-before
our voyage ends"
This then, Is more Of a business
than a pleasure trip. sir7"
He laughed, watching the smoke
rings rise lazily In the air.
"Well, hardly that, my boy. My hos
pitality is not to be so strictly limited.
However. no doubt, we shall discuss
some matters of business importance
before our return. BY the way, you
have some idle money. I hear?"~
"Not large sum at present, al
though 1t Is true control some CAPT.
tall"
Darlington pushed back his chair
and arose. to his feet.
"That is Of no immediate impor-
tance," he said carelessly. But In my
Judgment, we are not far away from q
great opportunity In finance, when 1t
will pay well to be on the inside. It
may interest you to know that cop
per pool is being organized"
" suspected as much; you have some
newsr'
Exceedingly important news. Lis
ten, Hollis, this is strictly confidential
and worth your thinking 1t over. Only
two men on board know the truth.
There will be war in Europe-the big.
gest war ever known In history-within
a month. Do you realize what that
will mean, for instance, to "COPPER"
" can imagine, sir. But If we are
on the verge Of such sudden rise In
market value. why do you leave New
York for long voyage7"
Darlington smiled, stroking his gray
mustache.
"A natural question, perhaps coming
from one not acquainted with my
methods" he answered good-humored-
w. Because prefer to be thought
out Of It. Everybody on the street
Is aware that am at sea. I thus
escape being interviewed. importuned
for information. / am unsupported Of
being where 1 can manipulate the mar
ket. The Esmeralda is equipped with
q powerful wireless outfit, and we have
on board the most expert operator
to be procured In New York. I shall |
be In direct communication with my |
office every hour Of the day and night. |
Tomorrow, once safely beyond Point |
Judith. / shall explain my plan; mean
while, Hollis, think It over"
He turned toward the stairs, but I |
stopped him, more deeply interested In
else than In his rather vague
scheme. The girl on board
was It possible she could have any con-
nection with this AFFAIR."
"By the way" I spoke with an AZ
sumption Of carelessness, MRS. Car
'ington. I understand. ID at present In
CuropeT
sYes, in Switzerland: have cabled
Ter that she had better return a. far
u London at once"
you seem very confident a. to the
ruth Of your advices."
II am; I know the men who have
exported to me-"
II see: and consequently there are
10 women on boardf'
''Womenr He made swift. express
I've gesture. Certainly not. I wrote
on to that effect, I believe: at least
90 Instructed my secretary. This
oyage 10 primarily business affair.
WY should you ask that question,
Iolfisf You have met Ill my guests"
! heSltated. Jet determined to put
Inn fully to the test. r he knew. q.
her his face Or manner would betray
I'm. irrespective Of his words.
4 imagined saw Z woman on the
eel last night when ! ventursd out |
, learn why the engine had stopped.
10 dombe it was an illusion."
IT surely must have been" his volee