Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-22
FLOWING GOLD
=" BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XXVIII-CONTIN

"Vindication!"
| There was a moment OF silence. What
is he talking about, Henry" Bells eyes
| were strained toward his son.
AZ don't know the latter said, in thin
' voice. "He's craZy-alWays was"
I'm giving you chance, Colonel. You'd
better take it. Think carefuly.'' When there
came no response to this warning, Gray
shrugged. Very we'll! There is nothing fur
them, except to complete the transfer and
proceed with the business of the meeting.
Mr.. Briskow will be the next president, and
[ shall occupy the position of vice president
and treasurer now held by you--
The effect of this declaration was electric.
With a cry the younger Nelson lunged for
ward. Confusion followed 1t was Of short
duration, however, for Henry found himself
locked in the arms of the Briskow giant.
Gray continued 81 have something to say
to you gentlemen before We go on with the
meeting, and l wish to say it in the pres
ence of Colonel Nelson and his
you'll not keep me here, refuse to
stay Henry shouted, and he pushed past
Swope toward the door.
"Wait!" 1t was the elder Nelson speak
ing and in his voice was a new note
note of triumph. "Stock can't be transferred
at an annual meeting. 1t has to be done in
advancet-en days | think it is. Am | right,
SENATOR"
mat Is ln6 usual plOCSuuIeb oCualOI
Lowe agreed.
Then there won't be any meeting!" Bell
loudly declared
II think we'd better CO." someone said.
This is too ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in no
frame of mind to go ahead
81 must insist that 20 uremain long
enough to hear me out. You have right
to refuse. There is something you must be
told
I'll admit I'm curious to knew what the
confessed; "but don't knew that [ should
accept explanation from you. Not after
Henry's accusations I've known him and
Bell for years."
81 respect your friendship for them, and
I shant expect you to put trust in my words.
1t seems to me, however, that you owe it to
that friendship to hear me. This incident has
taken a turn wholly unexpected, and, | must
confess, disappointing. L looked for a diff
ferent outcome-hoped to be able to force
an explanation" The speaker shook his
head and frowned again, perpleXedly. When,
after a moment of indecisive murmuring, the
three directors seated themselves, Gray
thanked them with a bow. I'll be brief
possible, and if you don't mind III stand
as l talk. I'm in no mood to sit III have
to go back bit" 1t WIS several seconds
before he resumed.
when it beacme evident that the United
States was going to war, | managed to get
in at Plattsburg and managed to get in at
Plattsburg and took the officers training
course. 1t was easy for me to complete that
course, because [ had served in the Spanish
war and had kept up my interest in military
affairs Something convinced those who
ought to know that [ possessed qualifica-
tons of unsuual value to the country-a
wide business experience at home and
abroad, knowledge of languages perhaps
anyhow. l was called to Washington.
There | met Henry Neson-a valuable man,
too, in his way. We were commissioned at
the same time and sent overseas on the
same ship to engage in the same work mill
tary intelligence. 1 didn't like the job, but
it was considered important, and naturally
l couldn't pick and choose. OF course, it was
secret, confidential work No need of going.
into that here.
Nelson's and my duties were identical,
our authority was equal; we were ordered
to work hand in hand, and although we
were commissioned together technically, he
outran9ed me owing to the fact that he was
given his commission a moment before | got
mine
when we arrived in France l tackled
my job with all the energy in me; / tried
for results Nelson, l discovered in time,
was concerned only in taking entire credit
for all that he and | and the whole Organl-
zation under us accomplished and in advanc-
ing himself. l worked; he played politics.
Il rebelled, l had to, or be made ridicu
lous, l warned him, privately, as man to
man. He ignored the warning. Then | pre-
pared a complete report showing by the
copies of his orders, by the records of our
correspondence, how he had Systematically
and malciously endeavored to nullify my
work and-and the like 1t was not pretty
report to read. I turned it in to him for
Submission higher up.
Then it that he outgeneraled me-
He furious, of course, but he apolOgiZed
--abiecty. He admitted that he had been
wrong, that he had imposed upon me- He
promised to play fair if I'd permit him to
withhold the report and-T was deceived.
For while worked in harmony. l
became engaged in an intricate case, hav-
ing to do with leak concerning transport
sallln2s, and routeS-a matter involving the
lives of thousands of our bOys-millions of
dollars in supplies and | went to Brest, I'M
der cover. 1t had to be handled with eX-
IRENE care-sOme danger about it, too A
very interesting case, l assure you. 1 lived
surveillance. One Of them was woman, ex-
tremely ttractiVe-thOroughly unscrupulous
My avenue of approach through her.
Nelson, of course, knew what I, was doing
he was about the only one who did.
Il worked long while and I was upon
the verge Of success-it would have been
a real accomplishment too-when, without
scattered, the whole thing blew up. Months
of work for nothing! l had made worse than
failure this time.'
'You mean to accuse Henry of-of treach-
cry of that sort?" Swope inquired.
Il do. And that's not all. Out Of a clear
sky charges were preferred against me. Out
rageOus charges in which that woman
figured" Up to this point Gray had spoken
smoothly, rapidly. but now his tone changed |
his words became hesitant, jerky. 1t was
charging me with inefficiency negligence, |
exceeding my authority, dishonesty-and