erwise I wouldn't make it, though you are
the only man in the world who might tempt me to do a foolish thing for
purely sentimental reasons. Still the offer is not made because you
fought the battle of a poor white boy one day down South a long time
ago. I've made it because I know you're worth it."

Stuart shook his head.

"I expected the offer of a generous salary, Cal, but this is simply
stunning."

"I told you I'd make you a proposition so big and generous you couldn't
get away from it. But mind you, I've the best reasons for making it. We
are entering the last phase of a world-struggle for financial
supremacy. This country is to be the real centre of modern power. Out
in that harbour lie at anchor ships that fly the flags of every nation,
but they are all carrying our goods to the ends of the earth. The
balance of trade with Europe alone is more than a million a day in our
favour. We are producing gold at the rate of a million and a half a
week and we keep it. With our untold resources, our inexhaustible
supplies of coal and metal, with the most industrious, intelligent and
progressive working men labouring under the best conditions and with
the most efficient tools ever known in human history, we must become
and will become quickly the economic masters of the world. When that
happens somebody is going to be master here."

Bivens rose and paced back and forth a moment.

"Somebody's going to be master here, Jim," he repeated, "and it's not
going to be a mob, the stupid, howling, slobbering thing that clutched
at your throat that day in front of my bank."

"No."

"Nor will it be a clumsy soulless corporation called a 'Trust,' either,
a thing that can be badgered and hounded by every hungry thieving
politician who gets into office. The coming master of masters, the king
of kings will be a _man_--a man on whose imperial word will hang the
fate of empires."

"What do you mean?" Stuart asked with quick emphasis.

"Just what I said. The seat of this nation's government is not at
Washington, D.C. It's a silly idea. We have some very fine buildings
there and a crowd of fools rattle around in the Capitol and make a lot
of noise. But I met the King of America the other day in this panic. He
sent for me. You can bet I answered the call. He made me eat dirt and
swear that I liked the taste of it. But I'll get even with him yet!"

Two livid spots suddenly appeared on the swarthy cheeks and he choked
into silence.