The Lamar register., 1921-05-18

pos, brilliant OF conversatlonalists the
strain OF talking to II hypochondrlacai
American and two Germnns-one
greedy and the other frightened-is
considerable; and the Count heaved an
inward sigh OF relief when the cones
had been handed round and the door
closed behind the walter. 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 him
expsctantly. 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 IL out And that WAS the very
thing the Count proposed they should
do-in large quantities.
.Genriemen," he remarked. when his
cigar was going to his satisfaction.
I'VE are all men of business. l said
before dinner that l considered We
we're sufficiently big to exclude any
small arbitrary national distinctions
from our minds. As men whose Inter
ests are International. such things are
beneath U.S. 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. l ad-
dress myself particularly TO you"
go right ahead" drawled Mr.. Hook.
ing.
II DO not wiah to touch on the war
or It's result: but though the Central
Powers have been beaten by America
and France and England. think ! can
speak for you two genuemen"-hs
bowed TO the two Gernans-'when !
say that II is neither France nor Amer
ica with whom they desire another
round. England 10 9srmany's main
enemy: she always has been. she al
WAYS will be. have reason to be-
ueve, Mr.. Hooking. that you personally
do not love the Englishf
"I guess don't see what my private
feelings have TO do with IT, But II its
of any interest TO the company you are
correct IN your belief.
Good" The Count nodded his head
a. II satisfied. "I take II then that you
would not be avsrse TO seeing England
down aud out"
wal" remarked the American,
"you can assume anything you feel
ike. Let's go TO the showdown"
Once again the Count nodded his
head: then he turned TO the two Ger
mans.
"Now you two gentlemen must I'D
nit that your plans have miscarried
somewhat II was no part Of your Or
irinal programme that Q British army
should occupy Cologne. -.
The war was the act OF fool. =
snarled Herr Steinemann. In 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 bust
ness we can only deal with the result.
-. The result. gentlemen. as II
concerns US. Both you gentlemen are
sufficiently patriotic 10 resent the pres
ence of that army AT Cologne. ! have
no doubt. And you. Mr.. Hooking. have
no love on personal grounds for the
English. But l am not propos-
ing to appeal TO nnanciers OF your rep
utation on such grounds as those to
support my scheme. i. . II Ii
enough that your personal predilec-
tions 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
lhe war.
His voice sank q little. and instinct
lively his three listeners drew closer.
Don't think | AIN proposing this
through motives OF revenge merely. We
are business men. and revenge is only
worth our while II II pays. This will
pay. There Is force In England
which. II IL can he harnessed and led
properly. will result In millions coming
to you. IL is present now In
every nation-fettered, inarticulate.
un- CO or rdinated. -. II is partly the
result OF the wsr--the war that the
idiots have waged. Harness
that force. gentlemen, coordinate IL,
and use 1t for your own ends.
Thai Is my proposal Not only VIII