The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-02-21

Il see,' said Winton. He liked the
Judge much better ~unmasked; at least
he disliked him considerably less.
You threaten, then, that if / seek
outside capital. the syndicate will U.s.
every means Of thwsrting the develop
ment of the claimT' he asked.
Eyes, my friend. Not in our inds-
yidual capacities, but purely in the
business sense"
Suppose l came to you for a loan,
offering the security of the diamond?'
The judge waved the suggestion
aside as incredibly trifling.
THE diamond means nothing at all
to u.s." he answered
1T has a monetary value"
I'VE are pot in need Of small profits,
Mr.. Garrett"
Pardon me, but If you are so pros
porous and influential, what is the pur-
pose of your resolve to get the control
of the Big Malopo by means outside
the ordinary run Of business?"
The judge smiled, looked thoughtful,
and then, to Winton's surprise, showed
a third phase Of his nature-absolute
~frankness.
"The purpose of our resolve?" he
asked. 81 suppose to gain power, Mr..
Garrett. To please the stockholders
and to gain power. There, sir, we
touch upon the fringe Of philosophy.
What is the driving motive of human
life? Each Of us has some secret, rul-
ing passion that he holds secure from
the eyes of his fellow men,"
His voice shook as he spoke, but rhis
time it was not the quaver of hypocrisy.
Judge Davis seemed on the verge Of
some intimate disclosure. Then the
mood passed, the eyes grew hard again.
"The syndicate will assist you to the
full extent of the company's needs, in
so far as these have a legitimate ex-
istence," he said. 1T will guarantee
its cooperation. But it must be as
sured that no competitive interest shall
be brought into Malopo, or admitted
from Malopo. Therefore the terms
are these: you will transfer thirty
three shares to me in blank, on which
the syndicate will advance you four
fifths Of their par value for three
months. At the end of that term, If the
money is repaid, you resume possession
of your shares. If, on the other hand,
the claim has not proved remuneratiye,
the syndicate will reimburse to you
personally all portion of this money
spent on development, and the shares
will become its property. In the latter
event you will hold forty-seven shares,
which will make the Independent share
holders the decisive voters, and all in
terests will be protected. In the former
event you will continue to hold your
eighty shares. And | think, Mr.. Gar
rett, that no fairer offer could be
made. 1t gives you an opportunity to
a success of the company, and if
fail, protects is against external
interests taking up the control to our
letriment."
Winton thought hurriedly over the
proposal. If he agreed, lie would still
old forty-seven shares at worst, while
he syndicate and it's men would hold
n equivalent amount. The balance of
would lie with the Independent
,hareholders; but these, of course,
ere in Davis power. If the claim
roved to be what he and Ned Burns
elieved it was, the repayment within
he period would be a mere trifle.
But why should he consider. the pro-
osal when he could realize working
apital on the sale of the diamond?
'It seems to me-" said Winton, that
am not compelled to face the problem
GU raise. The diamond can be legiti-
lately sold in the interests of the COM
any. When the time comes for con-
your proposition l may come
} you, or l may go elsewhere, accord
lg to where l can get the best terms
the interests Of the company"
Judge Davis whistled softly and
altered in the reins; then he turned
Winton. {
"My dear friend" he said, Sin these ]
avs capital cannot be raised, except
America, upon a diamond claim hat
only produced a single diamond.
s for the sale of the De Witt stone"
Hardly an appropriate name," said
linton holly.
"The Garrett stone, l mean," purred
ldge Davis. "Of course so long as
III retain your controlling interest,
III are at liberty to sell it. You mis-
lderstand me, my young friend. 1
d not come here to discuss your
'ility to avoid fraternal cooperation
tn US, but to offer you the choice be-
zen that cooperation, with frater- !,
ty, and the ~syndicate's hostility-of
urse in a purely business Isl Till
ur decision is made, that fraternity
lst be withheld. Give faith and trust, !,
sir, and they shall return to you
hundredfold. Give enmity, and A
leaned out of the buggy-"we1l
lash you, you damned young fool, and
u'll richly deserve it,"