interest were it not, as a
demonstration, sure to send the market tumbling like a shot pigeon. I'm
not certain that the whole affair hasn't some such commercial purpose.
Be that as it may, the day following that valorous manifesto will be a
time of panic, and the bottom will fall out of stocks. You remember what
I told you as to the plans of our friends to 'bear' Northern
Consolidated? This will bring their opportunity. When the markets begin
to toss and heave and fall with those White House antics touching
Germany and the Monroe Doctrine, Senator Hanway's report will be sprung
in the Senate. He will give it to the press the night before, so that
the morning papers may ring an alarm to the 'bulls.' This will be the
procession of affairs: The President will threaten Germany on Tuesday;
Senator Hanway's report will be in the papers and the Senate on
Wednesday; by Wednesday night our 'bear' pool will have been clamorously
selling Northern Consolidated all day. Per incident, we will have been
buying Northern Consolidated all day. By Friday evening--I give them
three selling days in which to work their ruin--I shall wire you that
they are caught in the trap by all their feet at once. It is then I
shall mail you those French shares."

"No letter will ever mean so much to me, be sure," said Richard.

"You shall receive it," returned Mr. Bayard. "By the way, we are
prepared to the last detail for that raid. I've bought more than five
hundred thousand shares of Northern Consolidated in Europe at an average
of forty-two. In order that our raiders may have what rope they require
to thoroughly hang themselves, I've brought more than two hundred
thousand of those shares to this country. It is placed where they may
reach it for the purpose of borrowing stock for delivery. In fact, our
arrangements are perfect; they make as complete a deadfall as ever
waited for its prey."

Richard and Inspector Val returned to Washington, Richard to write
Dorothy a letter freighted of promise and hope and love. In it he told
her that soon he would have canceled the last element of Storri's power,
removed the last fear of Mr. Harley, and, in loving brief, destroyed the
last bar which separated them and kept them apart.

Dorothy read the letter again and again, and then kissed it pending the
advent of something more kissable. Richard's promise was like the smell
of flowers to refresh her jaded, fear-wearied heart. The one regret was,
since Richard