第75章

"I want it immediately," said Dumont."Only the larger holders, you understand.""Haste always costs.I'll have to get hold of a man who can get hold of some one high up in the Great Lakes dividend department.""Pay what you must--ten--twenty thousand--more if necessary.

But get it to-night!"

"I'll try."

"Then you'll get it."

He slept, with a break of fifteen minutes, until ten the next morning.Then Tavistock appeared with the list."It was nearly midnight before my man could strike a bargain, so I didn't telephone you.The dividend clerk made a memory list.I had him verify it this morning as early as he could get at the books.He says at least a third of the road is held in small lots abroad.

He's been in charge of the books for twenty years, and he says there have been more changes in the last two months than in all that time.He thinks somebody has sold a big block of the stock on the quiet."Dumont smiled significantly."I think I understand that," he said.He glanced at the list."It's even shorter than Ithought."

"You notice, one-third of the stock's tied up in the Wentworth estate," said Tavistock.

"Yes.And here's the name of Bowen's dividend clerk.Bowen is traveling in the far East.Probably he's left no orders about his Great Lakes--why should he when it's supposed to be as sound and steady as Government bonds? That means another fifty thousand shares out of the way for our purposes.Which of these names stand for the Fanning-Smiths?""I only recognize Scannell--James Fanning-Smith's private secretary.But there must be others, as he's down for only twenty-one thousand shares.""Then he's the only one," said Dumont, "for the Fanning-Smiths have only twenty-one thousand shares at the present time.I know that positively.""What!" Tavistock showed that he was astounded."I knew James Fanning-Smith was an ass, but I never suspected him of such folly as that.So they are the ones that have been selling?""Yes--not only selling what they owned but also-- However, no matter.It's safe to say there are less than a hundred and fifty thousand shares for us to take care of.I want you to get me--right away--options for fifteen days on as many of these remaining big lots as possible.Make the best terms you can--anything up to one hundred and twenty-five--and offer five or even ten dollars a share forfeit for the option.Make bigger offers--fifteen--where it's necessary.Set your people to work at once.They've got the rest of to-day, all day to-morrow, all day Sunday.But I'd rather the whole thing were closed up by Saturday night.I'll be satisfied when you've got me control of a hundred thousand shares--that'll be the outside of safety.""Yes, you're reasonably sure to win, if you can carry that and look after offerings of fifty thousand in the market.The options on the hundred thousand shares oughtn't to cost you much more than a million.The fifty thousand you'll have to buy in the market may cost you six or seven millions." Tavistock recited these figures carelessly.In reality he was watching Dumont shrewdly, for he had believed that the National Woolens raid had ruined him, had certainly put him out of the large Wall Street moves.

"In that small drawer, to the left, in the desk there," said Dumont, pointing."Bring me the Inter-State National check-book, and pen and ink."When he had the book he wrote eight checks, the first for fifty thousand, the next five for one hundred thousand each, the last two for two hundred and fifty thousand each."The first check," he said, "you may use whenever you like.The others, except the last two, will be good after two o'clock to-day.The last two can be used any time after eleven to-morrow.And--don't forget! I'm supposed to be hopelessly ill--but then, no one must know you've seen me or know anything about me.Spread it as a rumor."Tavistock went away convinced, enthusiastic.There was that in Dumont which inspired men to their strongest, most intelligent efforts.He was harsh, he was tyrannical, treacherous even--in a large way, often cynically ungrateful.But he knew how to lead, knew how to make men forget all but the passion for victory, and follow him loyally.Tavistock had seen his financial brain solve too many "unsolvable" problems not to have confidence in it.

"I might have known!" he reflected."Why, those fellows apparently only scotched him.They got the Woolens Company away from him.He lets it go without a murmur when he sees he's beaten, and he turns his mind to grabbing a big railway as if Woolens had never existed."Just after his elevated train passed Chatham Square on the way down-town Tavistock suddenly slapped his leg with noisy energy and exclaimed half-aloud, "By Jove, of course!" to the amusement of those near him in the car.He went on to himself:

"Why didn't I see it before? Because it's so beautifully simple, like all the things the big 'uns do.He's a wonder.So THAT'S what he's up to? Gad, what a breeze there'll be next week!"At eleven o'clock Doctor Sackett came into Dumont's bedroom, in arms against his patient.

"You're acting like a lunatic.No business, I say--not for a week.Absolute quiet, Mr.Dumont, or I'll not answer for the consequences.""I see you want to drive me back into the fever," replied Dumont."But I'm bent on getting well.I need the medicine I've had this morning, and Culver's bringing me another dose.If I'm not better when he leaves, I agree to try your prescription of fret and fume.""You are risking your life."

Dumont smiled."Possibly.But I'm risking it for what's more than life to me, my dear Sackett.""You'll excite yourself.You'll----"