The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-10-20
Continued from Page 81

lfH Win Ni'iH my N'1i'N '''''
round. England Is Germany's mali
enemy; she always has been. she al
WAYS will be- have reason % be
leye. Mr. Hooking, that you personally
do not love the Englishf'
Il guess / don't see what my private
feelings have 10 do with il, But II ~
Of any interest TO the company you are
correct IN your belief
Good" The Count nodded his head
ms II satisfied. Il take II then that you
would not be averse TO seeing England
down and out"
wal" remarked the American
you can assume anything you fee
Ike. Let's 60 to the showdown"
once again the Count nodded hi'
head; then he turned 10 the two Gc7
mans.
Now you two gentlemen must ed
nit that your plans have miscarried
somewhat. II was no part Of your or.
lginal programme that British army
should occupy Cologne.
"The war was the act Of a fool"
snarled Herr Steinemann: "In a 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 "A
fool, If 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 TO 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 / am not propos-
ing to appeal TO financiers of your rep
utation on such grounds as those TO
support my scheme. IL
enough that your personal predilec-
lions run with and not against what ]
am about 10 put before you-the de
feat of England a defeat more
utter and complete than II she had lost
the war. :.
= His voice sank a little, and instinct
lively his three listeners drew closer,
Don't think | am proposing this
through motives of revenge merely. We
are business men, and revenge is only
worth our while If II pays. This will
pay. There is a force in England
which. if IL can be harnessed and led
properly, will result in millions coming
to you. 49,. II is present now In
every nation-fettered, inarticulate,
co-ordlnated. 49,. 1t is partly the
result of the war-the war that the
idiots have waged. Harness
that force, gentlemen, coordinate IT,
and use IL 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 II for you"
He resumed his seat, and his left
hand, slipping of the table, beat
tattoo on his knee.
"This is our opportunity-the oppor
tunity Of clever men. 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 nutshell. Unforeseen develop
ments will doubtless occur; ! have
spent my life overcoming the uneXpect-
ed. What is your answerT
He rose and stood with his back
to them by the fire, and for several
minutes no one spoke. Each man was
busy with his own thoughts, and
showed II IN his own particular way.
Comte de Guy stared unconcernedly at
the fire. as If Indifferent to the result
Of their thoughts. In his attitude al
that moment he gave a true expression
TO his attitude on life. Accustomed
to play with great stakes. he had just
dealt the cards for the most gigantic
gamble Of his life. r.. What matter
10 the three men. who were looking at
the hands he had given them, that only |
a master criminal could have con
ceived such a gamer The only CUES
ton which occupied their minds was
he could carry IL through |
Ard on that point they had only their
Judgment OF his personality to rely on
Suddenly the American removed the
toothpick from his mouth and /
stretched out bis legs.
There is a question which occurs TO
ne. Count. before ] make up my mind 4
On the matter Are you disposed TO be
! little more communicative about /
yourself1 II We agree 10 come IN on
his hand. it's going 70 cost big money.
The handling Of that money IL with
Tou. wal-who are your
Won Grsz nodded his head 10 agTee-
nsnt. SteiDemAnn raised his eyes 20
he Counts face ss be turned and
laced them.
"A very fair question. gentlemen,
md yet one which regret an unable