The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-06-17


cess. Without appearing to monopo
lie the conversation he talked cease
lessly and brilliantly. But to even the
most brilliant of conversationalists ths
strain OF talking to a hypochondrlacal
American and two Germans one
greedy and the other frightened-is
considerable; and the Count heaved an
inward sigh Of relief when the coffee
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 thaf the eyes
Of the other three were liked on him
expectantly, he knew that the hardest
part Of the evening was In front OF
him. Big finaneiers, 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
d0-in large quantities.
Gentlemen" he remarked. when his
cigar was going to his satisfaction,
1--WE are all men Of business. said
before dinner that 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"
$50 right ahead" drawled Mr.. Hook
ing.
Il 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, think / can
speak for you two gentlemen"-he
bowed to the two Germans-"when l
say that It Is neither France nor Amer
lea with whom they desire another
round. England Is Germany's main
enemy: she always has been. she al
ways win be. i have reason to be-
lieye. Mr.. Hooking, that you personally
do not love the Engllshf"
II guess don't see what my private
| feelings have to do with 1t. But II it's
of any interest to the company you are
correct In your belief"
"Good" The Count nodded his head
as II satisfied. Il take 1t then that you
would not be averse to seeing England
down and out"
"Wal," remarked the American.
ayou can assume anything you feel
like. Let's 20 to the showdown
Once again the Count nodded his
head: then he turned to the two Ger
mans.
"Now you two gentlemen must adj
NIT that your plans have miscarried
somewhat. II was no part OF your or
iginal programme that British army
should occupy Cologne.
"The war was the act Of foo" "
snarled Herr Steinemann. 'In a few
years more of peace, we should have
beaten those swine. =.
aAnd now--they have beaten you"
The Count smiled slightly. Let US
| admit that the war was the act Of a
feol, If yoa like. but as men Of tusi-
ness we can only deal with the result.
s. The result, gentlemen, as It
concerns us. Both you gentlemen are
sufficiently patriotic to resent the pres
ence Of that army at Cologne, hare
no doubt. And you, Mr.. Hooking. have
no love on personal grounds for the
English. But I am not propos-
ing to appeal to financiers ofyour rep
utation on such grounds as those to
support my scheme. III Is
enough that your personal predilec-
lions run with and not against what
am about TO put before you-tlne de-
feat OF england 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.
aDonf think / am nropoaine this
through motives OF revenge merely. We
ara business men. and revenge ia only
usrth our while u n NAYS This YIN