The Raymer enterprise., 1921-08-11

lessly and brilliantly. But to even thA
most brilliant Of converse tionallsts the
strain Of talking to hypochOndriacal
American and two Germans-one
greedy and the other frightened-is
considerable; and the Count heayed an
inward sigh Of relief when the coffee
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 thst the eyes
Of the other three were fixed on him
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 II out. And that was the very
thing the Count proposed they should
do-ln large qnsntitiss.
Gentlemen" he remarked, when his
cigar was going to his satisfaction,
1--WE are all men Of business. I 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. wish now to slightly
qualify that remark" He turned to
the American on his right, who with
eyes half closed was thoughtfully pick
Ing his teeth. AT this stage. I ad-
dress myself particularly to YOU"
"Go right ahead" drawled Mr.. Hook
ing.
~ 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, I think l can
speak for you two genuemen"-he
bowed to the two Germans-"when I
say that It Is neither France nor Amer
lea with whom they desire another
round. England 10 0ermany's main
enemy; she always has been, she a.
ways will be. I have reason to BE-
lieve. Mr.. Hooking. that you personally
do not love the Englishr'
II guess don't see what my private
feelings have to do with II. But II it's
Of any interest to the company you are
correct tp your belief"
Good" The Count nodded his head
a. II satisfied. II take II then that you
would not be averse to seeing England
down and out"
"Wal," 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 ad-
NIT that your plans have miscarried
somewhat. It was no part Of your or
iginal programme that British army
should occupy Cologne. :"
"The war was the act Of q fool"
snarled Herr Stelnemann. I'm Z few
years more Of peace, we should have
beaten those swine. :"
"And now-they have beaten you"
The Count smiled slightly. LET US
admit that the war was the act Of
fool, II you like. but as men Of busi-
ness we can only deal with the result.
The result. gentlemen, as 1t
concerns US. Both you gentlemen are
sufficiently patriotic to resent the pres
ence Of that army at Cologne. l have
no doubt. And you. Mr.. Hooking, have
no love on personal grounds for the
English. .. But I am not pr0pOs-
ing to appeal to financlers Of your rep
utation on such grounds as those to
support my scheme. 1t Is
enough that your personal predilec-
tons run with and not against what l
am about to put before you-the de.
feat Of England defeat more
utter and complete than II she had lost
the war.
His voice sank q little, and instinct
lively his three listeners drew closer.
Don't think l am proposing this
through motives Of revenge merely. We
are business men. and revenge Is only
worth our while II 1t pays. This will
pay. There Is force in England
which, II 1t can be harnessed and led
properly, will result In millions coming
to you. -. 1t Is present now In
every nation-fettered, inarticulate,
un-co- -ordinated. -. 1t Is partly the
result Of the war-the war that the
idiots have waged. Harness
that force, gentlemen. coordinate it,
and use 1t for your own ends. .
That is my proposal. Not only will
you humble that cursed country to the
dirt. but you will taste Of power such
as few men have tasted before. :"
The Count stood up, his eyes blazing.
"And IL will do It for you"
He resumed his seat. and his left
hand. slipping of the table, beat q
| tattoo on his knee.
"This Is our opportunity-the oppor.
tunity Of clever men. l have not got
the money necessary: you have"
He leaned forward In his chair. and
glanced at the intent faces of his au.
dIence. Then he began to speak. .
Ten minutes later he pushed back
his chair.
"There Is my proposal. gentlemen.
In o nutshell. Unforeseen develop.