the
development of the Consolidated Companies, turning over the retail
amalgamation to his chief subordinate. One by one the master mind
brought the varied corporations into line; one by one, with equal though
different skill, Covington completed the work which his chief had begun.
Between them they succeeded in filling the positions made necessary by
the growth of the Companies with efficient and enthusiastic
subordinates, so that each time the chain was let out to admit another
link the welding was accomplished without weakening the strength of the
whole.

Covington had never from the first sympathized with Gorham's altruistic
policies except as a means to an end, nor did he for a moment imagine
that Gorham himself had adopted them for any other reason than their
intrinsic business value. The whole scheme of the Consolidated
Companies, when first unfolded before him, appealed to his appreciation
of business cleverness, and he instinctively recognized Gorham as his
master. During the few years they had been associated in the same
corporation, Covington had seen his chief's genius demonstrated in
organization and administration as well as in conception, and he had not
been slow to take advantage of the lessons he was given such ample
opportunity to learn. He had expected this demonstration, but, with a
consummate confidence in his own ability to assimilate, he had also
counted on gradually lessening the gap between Gorham and himself. Here
it was that he had made a mistake, for during this same period the
development of the older man had been far greater than his own.
Covington to-day was, perhaps, as able a business man as Gorham had been
when the Consolidated Companies was born, but Gorham in the mean time,
by sheer display of extraordinary genius, had become an international
figure. The business relations between the two men were closer than
ever, but never once was there any question as to which was the master.
Covington would not have been Covington had he not resented this;
Covington would not have been Covington had he not succeeded in
concealing this resentment from all the world.

With the knowledge that he could not hope to share with Gorham upon
equal terms in the control of the Consolidated Companies, there came to
him a realization of the necessity of strengthening himself on every
possible side in order to be prepared to take advantage of the first
opportunity, whatever that might be or whenever it migh