t or nothing.

Legitimate investment had no place in Daylight's play. It tied up his
money, and reduced the element of risk. It was the gambling side of
business that fascinated him, and to play in his slashing manner
required that his money must be ready to hand. It was never tied up
save for short intervals, for he was principally engaged in turning it
over and over, raiding here, there, and everywhere, a veritable pirate
of the financial main. A five-per cent safe investment had no
attraction for him; but to risk millions in sharp, harsh skirmish,
standing to lose everything or to win fifty or a hundred per cent, was
the savor of life to him. He played according to the rules of the
game, but he played mercilessly. When he got a man or a corporation
down and they squealed, he gouged no less hard. Appeals for financial
mercy fell on deaf ears. He was a free lance, and had no friendly
business associations. Such alliances as were formed from time to time
were purely affairs of expediency, and he regarded his allies as men
who would give him the double-cross or ruin him if a profitable chance
presented. In spite of this point of view, he was faithful to his
allies. But he was faithful just as long as they were and no longer.
The treason had to come from them, and then it was 'Ware Daylight.

The business men and financiers of the Pacific coast never forgot the
lesson of Charles Klinkner and the California & Altamont Trust Company.
Klinkner was the president. In partnership with Daylight, the pair
raided the San Jose Interurban. The powerful Lake Power & Electric
Lighting corporation came to the rescue, and Klinkner, seeing what he
thought was the opportunity, went over to the enemy in the thick of the
pitched battle. Daylight lost three millions before he was done with
it, and before he was done with it he saw the California & Altamont
Trust Company hopelessly wrecked, and Charles Klinkner a suicide in a
felon's cell. Not only did Daylight lose his grip on San Jose
Interurban, but in the crash of his battle front he lost heavily all
along the line. It was conceded by those competent to judge that he
could have compromised and saved much. But, instead, he deliberately
threw up the battle with San Jose Interurban and Lake Power, and,
apparently defeated, with Napoleonic suddenness struck at Klinkner. It
was the last unexpected thing Klinkner would have dreamed of, and
Daylight knew it. He knew, further, t