The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-10-20

That Time You viii Have Decided
One Way or the o:Ser."
money: but rusaIusrt 20 fHa result
the costs will be aea-bite. You VII
have 10 trust me. even as | shall have
10 trust you. Co.. You will have 20 trust
me not 10 divert the money which you
give me as wOrkin- expenses into my
own pocket | shall have to trust
you 10 pay me when the job is I'm
ished. ="
"And that payment will be-how
muchi" Steinemann's cultural voice
broke the silence
zone million pounds sterllng-to be
split up between you Ia 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 groyeling in the dir.
ty :" His eyes glowed with a fierce
vindictive fury; and then, as If replac-
ing mask which had slipped for
moment. the Count was once again
the suave, courteous host He had
stated his terms frankly and without
haggling: stated them as one biz man
states them TO another OF the same kid.
ney, 10 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 Graft was speaking. "The deci-
sion Is big one, and ="
"Why. certainly, gentlemen" The
Count moved toward the door. 81 will
return In ten minutes. BY that time
you will have decided--OHe 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 then /. What theni
e. In his Imagination he saw him
self supreme In power, glutted with IL
"a king. an autocrat, who had only TO
lift his finger to plunge his kingdom
into destruction and humiliation.
And when he had done II. and the
country he hated was In ruins, then he
would claim his million and enjoy II as
great man should enjoy a great re
ward. =. Thus for the space ~ ten
minutes did the Count see visions and
dream dreams That the force he pro
posed to tamper with was dangerous
force disturbed him not AT all he was
dangerous man. That this scheme
would bring ruin. perhaps death. to
thousands Of innocent men and women
caused him no qualm: he was a su-
preme egoist. All that appealed 10
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 1
he pulled out his watch. They had 4
had their ten minutes The matter /
was settled, the die was cast. 49,.
He rose and walked across the
lounge. For an appreciable moment 1
the Count paused by the door, and 4
faint smile came 10 his lips. Then
he opened II, and passed into the room.
The American was still chewing his
toothpick; Steinemann was still
breathing hard. Only Won Graft had
changed his occupation and be was
sitting al the table smoking a long
thin cigar. The Count closed the door
and walked over TO the fireplace. ..
"well. gentlemen be said quietly,
"whst have you decidedT'
II was the American who answered
ut goes with one amendment
The money Is too big for three - us
there must be a fourth That viii be
q quarter OF a million each"
The Count bowed
Have you any suggestions as 70
whom the fourth should beY- +,
yep" said the American shortly. /
These two gentlemen agree with me
that II should be another o. ny coun-
.rymeD-so that We get equal numbers.
The man We have decided on II com
Ing 70 England In q feg 9eeks-Hiram
c. Potts II yO1 get him In. you can
count u IN. too. II DOT. the deals
~
The Count nodded. and II be felt any
annoyance al this unexpected develop
Dent be showed DO sign Of Il On his
lace.
7 know Of M Potis,~ be answered
quickly. Tour big shipping nan. isn'i !