"It's a queer place to talk business."
"It's a pretty place, and there's a piece of marble in the wall they got in Italy—Siena, or some such place."
"So you were talking business with Jane?" Sarah persisted.
"Well, you can call it that. Tell me more about that country, Will. Maybe the future will take us there."
In the warm, peaceful evening, with a good cigar, anything seemed possible. While the women talked of schools and the children's clothes, I saw visions of the coming year—of the great gamble!
CHAPTER XIV
THE FIRST MOVE
The Chicago and London Packing Company—Bidding for bonds—A man named Lokes—A consideration for services performed—Bribery—A sheriff's sale—We take the trick—The tail of a snake—Not a gospel game
Slocum had been after the bondholders' protective committee of the London and Chicago Company. There were only a million and a half of bonds out, which, before their smash, could be picked up for less than twenty. Lately, on the rumor that one of the strong Chicago houses was bidding for them, their price had risen somewhat. The hand of Carmichael working through one of the smaller corporations controlled by Strauss was plain enough to one who watched, and I resolved as the first step in my campaign to outwit my old boss in this little deal. From the price of the bonds it was evident that Carmichael was offering the bondholders about twenty-five for the control. I told Slocum to give forty and then arrange to bid the property in at the sheriff's sale.