For her father's sake! That did not sound as if her question concerned
George or me. A trifle reassured, I tried to remember something of what
I had read.

"I know, of course," I answered, slowly, "what every one knows, that the
California and Eastern has been, or is reported to have been, trying to
get control of the L. and T. Its possession would give the California
people the balance of power and mean the end of the present rate war
with the Consolidated Pacific. The common stock has fluctuated between
30 and 50 for months and there have been all sorts of rumors. So much
the newspapers have made common property. That is all I know."

"You did not know then that Father and his associates control the
California and Eastern?"

I leaned back in my chair.

"No," I said, "I did not know that. Then your father--"

"Father tells me a great deal concerning his business affairs. I have
been very much interested in this. It seems almost like a great war and
as if Father were a general. He and his associates have gradually bought
up the C. and E. until they practically own it. And they have been
working to get the Louisville road. Last winter, you remember, there was
a great excitement and the stock went up and then down again. That
was when it looked as if the other side--the Consolidated Pacific--had
beaten Father, but they had not. You remember that?"

I remembered it. That is to say, George had told me of the rise and fall
of the stock. It was then that he had bought.

"Yes," I said, "I remember something of it."

"If Father had stayed in New York he would have won before this. Oh,"
with a burst of pride, "they can NEVER beat him when he is leading the
fight himself! He has, through his brokers, been selling--what do they
call it? Oh, yes, selling the Louisville stock 'short' ever since. I am
not sure just what that means, but perhaps you know."

"I think I do," I answered, thoughtfully. "He has been selling, quietly,
so as to force the stock down, preparatory to buying in. I remember
the papers have said that the C. and E. were reported as having lost
interest in the Louisville. That was only a blind, I presume."

"Yes. Father never gives up, you know that. But he was very anxious that
the Consolidated Pacific people should think he had. And now--now, when
he is so ill--comes this! Mr. Davis telephoned that--Yes, what is it?"

There had been a knock at the door. It opened and the butler appeared.

"A telegr