The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-05-26
you to pay me when the Job is fin.

nuchY Steinemann's cultural voice
broke the silence.
zone million pounds sterling-tO be
split up between you in any proportion
you may decide, and to be paid within
one month of completion of my work.
After that the matter will pass into
your hands -. and may you leave that
cursed country groveling in the dir.
ty -" His eyes glowed with a fierce,
vindictive fury and then, as if replac-
ing a mask which had slipped for a
moment, the Count was once again
the suave, courteous host. He had
stated his terms frankly and without
haggllng: stated them as one big man
tateS them to another Of the same kid
ney, TO whom time is money and indie
cision or beating about the bush ana
thema.
Perhaps, Count, you would be good
enough to leave US for a few minutes"
Won Gratz was speaking. THE deci-
sion is a big one, and :"
why, certainly, gentlemen" The
Count moved toward the door. II will
return In ten minutes. BY that time
you will have decided-one way or the
other"
Genius that he was In the reading
of mems minds, he felt that he knew
the result Of that ten minutes deliber-
alton. . . And hen What then?
In his Imagination he saw him
self supreme in power, glutted with it
"A king, an autocrat, who had only to
lift his finger to plunge his kingdom
into destruction and humiliation. . .
And when he had done 1t. and the
country he hated was In ruins, then he
would claim his million and enjoy ii as
a great Ia should enjoy a great re-
ward. Thus for the space Of ten
minutes did the Count see visions and
dream dreams. That the force he pro-
posed to tamper with vas q dangerous
force disturbed him not at all he was
a dangerous n That this scheme
would bring ruin, perhaps death, to
thousands Of innocent men and women
caused him no qualm: he was a SUI
preme egoist. All that appealed to
him was that he had seen the oppor-
tunity that existed, and that he had
the nerve and the brain to turn that
opportunity to his own advantage.
Only the necessary money was lacking
. and . With a quick movement
he pulled out his watch. They had
had their ten minutes . The matter
was settled. the die was cast.
He rose and walked across the
lounge. For an appreciate moment
the Count paused by the door, and a
faint smile came TO his lips. Then
he opened it, and passed into the room.
The American was still chewing his
toothpiCk; Steinemann was still
breathing hard. Only Won Gratz had
changed his occupation and he was
sitting at the table smoking a long
thin cigar. The Count closed the door,
and walked over to the fireplace.
"Well, gentlemen he said quietly,
what have you decided"
1t was the American who answered.
at goes. With one amendment.
The money is too big for three Of us:
there must be a fourth. That will be
a quarter of a million each"
The Count bowed.
"Have you any suggestions as to
whom the fourth should he?"
Yep" said the American shortly.
"TheSe two gentlemen agree with me
that it should be another of my coun-
.rymen-SO that we get equal numbers.
The man We have decided on is com
ing to England in a few weeks-IIiram
~ y,.t, To go, ,rat I;n, Il, ,.n,, ,nn
count us in, too. If not, the deals
off"
The Count nodded, and if he felt any
annoyance at this unexpected develop
ment he showed no sign of it on his
face.
II know of Mr.. Potts" he answered
quickly. Your big shipping man, isn't
he? / agree to your reservation"
"Good." said the American. Lets
discuss some Details"
Without a race Of emotion on his
face the Count drew up a chair to h
table. 1t was only when he sat down
that he started to play a tattoo on his
knee with his left hand.
Half an nOur later ne entered MS
luxurious suite Of rooms at the Hotel
Magnificent.
A girl, who had been lying by the
fire reading a French novel, looked up
at the sound Of the door. She did not
speak, for the look or his face told her
all she wanted to know.
He crossed to the sofa and smiled
down at her.
Successful . on our own terms.
Tomorrow, Irma, the COmte de Guy
dies, and Carl Peterson and his daugh-
ter leave for England. A country en-
tleman, / think, is Carl Peterson. He
might keep hens, and possibly pigs"
The girl on the sofa rose, yawning.
"Mon Dieu what a prospecti Pigs
and hens-and in England! How long
Is it going to take?'
The Count looked thoughtfully into
the fire.
perhaps a year-perhapS six