The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-06-25

cess. Without appearing to monopo-
lie the conversation he talked cease
lessly and brilliantly. But to even the
most brilliant of conversationalists the
strain of talking to hypochondriacal
American and two Germans-one
greedy and the other frightened-is
considerable; and the Count heaved an
inward sigh Of relief when the ccnee
had been handed round and the door
closed behind the waiter. From now
on the topic was the topic Of money
the common bond Of his three guests.
And yet. as he carefully cut the end
of his cigar, and realized that the eyes
OF the other three were fixed on MIN
expectantly, he knew that the hardest
part Of the evening was In front OF
him. Big financiers, in common with
all other people, are fonder OF having
money put into their pockets than OF
taking it out. And that was the very
thing the Count proposed they should
do-in large quantities.
Gentlemen" he remarked, when his
cigar was going to his satisfaction,
I'VE are all men Of business. / said
before dinner that I considered we
were sufficiently big to exclude any
| small arbitrary national distinctions
| from our minds. As men whose inter-
ests are international, such things are
| beneath us. l wish now to slightly
| qualify that remark" He turned to
the American on his right, who with
ewes half closed was thoughtfully pick
ing his teeth. "At this stage, / ad-
dress myself particularly to you"
| go right ahead" drawled Mr.. HOOK
ing.
81 do not wish to touch on the war
or its result; but though the Central
Powers have been beaten by America
and France and England, think can
speak for you two conference.-the
bowed to the two Germans-"when
saw that it is neither France nor Amer
lea with whom they desire another
round. England is Germany's main
enemy: she always has been, she al
ways will be. have reason to De-
lieve, Mr.. Hooking, that you personally
do not love the English?'
81 guess don't see what my private
feelings have to do with it. But If It's
of any interest to the company you are
correct in your belief"
Good" The Count nodded his head
as If satisfied. II take it then that you
would not be averse to seeing England
down and out"
oval" remarked the American,
"you can assume anything you feel
like. Let's 90 to the showdown"
Once again the Count nodded his
head: then he turned to the two Ger
mans.
"Now YOU two gentlemen must adj
nit that your plans have miscarrieo
somewhat. 1t was no part of your or
iginal programme that British army
should occupy Cologne. :"
"The war was the act OF a fool
snarled Herr Steinemann. I'm a few
years more of peace, we should have
beaten those swine.
"And now-they have beaten you
The Count smiled slightly. Let u
admit that the war was the act OF
fool. if you like, but as men OF bust
: ness we can only deal with the result
The result, gentlemen, as i
! concerns us. Both you gentlemen ar
: sufficiently patriotic to resent the pres
ence of that army at Cologne, l hav'
no doubt. And you, Mr.. Hooking, hav'
,, no love on personal grounds for tn
English. But l am not propos
ing to appeal to financiers of your rep
utation on such grounds as those t
support my scheme. IT l
enough that your personal predllet
! tons run with and not against what
am about to put before you-the &c
: feat of England > a defeat NOR
l utter and complete than il she had los
, | the war.
y His voice sank little, and instinc'
lively his three listeners drew closer.
@Don't think i am proposing thi
!. through motives of revenge merely. w
are business men, and revenge Is onl
worth our while If it pays. This wi
nav. There is q force in Englan
:. which, il 1t can be harnessed and lie
properly. will result in millions comm
to YOU. It is present now
II every nation-fettered, inarticulat
un.co- ordinated. -. 1t is partly tn
g result of the war-the war that II
% idiots have waged. Harne'
that force, gentlemen, coordinate
4 and use it for your own ends. =
y That is my proposal. Not only WI
you humble that cursed country to tt
e dirt, but you will taste OF power sue
a as few men have tasted before. -.
n The Count stood up, his eyes blazin
s. "And IL will do it for you"
u He resumed his seat, and his lie
20 hand, slipping off the table, beat
tattoo on his knee.
y "This is our opportunity-the oppo
oIo,,1~ wan I horo mot q