登陆注册
5260400000085

第85章 Chapter XXV(8)

As a matter of fact, what Cowperwood had keenly suspected was literally true. Stener had been reached. The moment Butler and Simpson had left him the night before, Mollenhauer had sent for his very able secretary, Abner Sengstack, and despatched him to learn the truth about Stener's whereabouts. Sengstack had then sent a long wire to Strobik, who was with Stener, urging him to caution the latter against Cowperwood. The state of the treasury was known. Stener and Strobik were to be met by Sengstack at Wilmington (this to forefend against the possibility of Cowperwood's reaching Stener first)--and the whole state of affairs made perfectly plain. No more money was to be used under penalty of prosecution. If Stener wanted to see any one he must see Mollenhauer. Sengstack, having received a telegram from Strobik informing him of their proposed arrival at noon the next day, had proceeded to Wilmington to meet them. The result was that Stener did not come direct into the business heart of the city, but instead got off at West Philadelphia, proposing to go first to his house to change his clothes and then to see Mollenhauer before meeting Cowperwood. He was very badly frightened and wanted time to think.

"I can't do it, Frank," he pleaded, piteously. "I'm in pretty bad in this matter. Mollenhauer's secretary met the train out at Wilmington just now to warn me against this situation, and Strobik is against it. They know how much money I've got outstanding.

You or somebody has told them. I can't go against Mollenhauer.

I owe everything I've got to him, in a way. He got me this place."

"Listen, George. Whatever you do at this time, don't let this political loyalty stuff cloud your judgment. You're in a very serious position and so am I. If you don't act for yourself with me now no one is going to act for you--now or later--no one. And later will be too late. I proved that last night when I went to Butler to get help for the two of us. They all know about this business of our street-railway holdings and they want to shake us out and that's the big and little of it--nothing more and nothing less. It's a case of dog eat dog in this game and this particular situation and it's up to us to save ourselves against everybody or go down together, and that's just what I'm here to tell you.

Mollenhauer doesn't care any more for you to-day than he does for that lamp-post. It isn't that money you've paid out to me that's worrying him, but who's getting something for it and what. Well they know that you and I are getting street-railways, don't you see, and they don't want us to have them. Once they get those out of our hands they won't waste another day on you or me. Can't you see that? Once we've lost all we've invested, you're down and so am I--and no one is going to turn a hand for you or me politically or in any other way. I want you to understand that, George, because it's true. And before you say you won't or you will do anything because Mollenhauer says so, you want to think over what I have to tell you."

He was in front of Stener now, looking him directly in the eye and by the kinetic force of his mental way attempting to make Stener take the one step that might save him--Cowperwood--however little in the long run it might do for Stener. And, more interesting still, he did not care. Stener, as he saw him now, was a pawn in whosoever's hands he happened to be at the time, and despite Mr. Mollenhauer and Mr. Simpson and Mr. Butler he proposed to attempt to keep him in his own hands if possible. And so he stood there looking at him as might a snake at a bird determined to galvanize him into selfish self-interest if possible. But Stener was so frightened that at the moment it looked as though there was little to be done with him. His face was a grayish-blue: his eyelids and eye rings puffy and his hands and lips moist. God, what a hole he was in now!

"Say that's all right, Frank," he exclaimed desperately. "I know what you say is true. But look at me and my position, if I do give you this money. What can't they do to me, and won't. If you only look at it from my point of view. If only you hadn't gone to Butler before you saw me."

"As though I could see you, George, when you were off duck shooting and when I was wiring everywhere I knew to try to get in touch with you. How could I? The situation had to be met. Besides, I thought Butler was more friendly to me than he proved. But there's no use being angry with me now, George, for going to Butler as I did, and anyhow you can't afford to be now. We're in this thing together.

It's a case of sink or swim for just us two--not any one else--just us--don't you get that? Butler couldn't or wouldn't do what I wanted him to do--get Mollenhauer and Simpson to support the market.

Instead of that they are hammering it. They have a game of their own. It's to shake us out--can't you see that? Take everything that you and I have gathered. It is up to you and me, George, to save ourselves, and that's what I'm here for now. If you don't let me have three hundred and fifty thousand dollars--three hundred thousand, anyhow--you and I are ruined. It will be worse for you, George, than for me, for I'm not involved in this thing in any way--not legally, anyhow. But that's not what I'm thinking of.

What I want to do is to save us both--put us on easy street for the rest of our lives, whatever they say or do, and it's in your power, with my help, to do that for both of us. Can't you see that? I want to save my business so then I can help you to save your name and money." He paused, hoping this had convinced Stener, but the latter was still shaking.

"But what can I do, Frank?" he pleaded, weakly. "I can't go against Mollenhauer. They can prosecute me if I do that. They can do it, anyhow. I can't do that. I'm not strong enough. If they didn't know, if you hadn't told them, it might be different, but this way--"

He shook his head sadly, his gray eyes filled with a pale distress.

"George," replied Cowperwood, who realized now that only the sternest arguments would have any effect here, "don't talk about what I did.

同类推荐
  • 寒食山馆书情

    寒食山馆书情

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 笏山记

    笏山记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 法华十罗刹法

    法华十罗刹法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 幼科心法要诀

    幼科心法要诀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 得道梯橙锡杖经

    得道梯橙锡杖经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 星战之最强步兵

    星战之最强步兵

    新书《娱乐圈餐饮指南》已经上传,需要各位的支持,如果有推荐票之类的,请投到那边去,星空拜谢~游戏中的顶级机械科学专家穿越了到了一个与游戏世界完全相同的现实世界中的一个底层步兵身上于是,宇宙最强步兵诞生了步兵之王?哥们要打十个!王牌机甲驾驶员?哥们不仅机甲比你开的好,研发的机甲更领先你们几十年!顶级元素操控者?哥们刚好造了几款元素系武器,冰火雷电随便挑,碾压你们几条街!这,就是一个低级步兵,一步步走上宇宙巅峰的故事
  • 海贼王之速度既力量

    海贼王之速度既力量

    重生到海贼王的世界,以为一辈子做一个平凡的人,没想到祸从天降,海贼袭来,失去了唯一的爷爷。从今往后他强行改变了自己,变成了一个复仇者,为了结束这个大海贼时代的复仇者。
  • 极乐庄主丽娘传

    极乐庄主丽娘传

    生命的自由是那么的可贵,生命有多值得敬畏,乱世中有的人为了活着,历经了种种的苦难,只为见到明天的旭日阳光,也有无数的人为了明天而放弃了自由。多年以后,他们都老了,在夕阳下磕着瓜子,看着小孙子在外面跑来跑去,丽娘说:“当年如果我不装死,你是不是永远都不会跟我说你爱我。”“我在用行动告诉你,我会用我的一生守护着你,希望你一生都活得肆意,哪怕我一生都只能活在黑暗里,直到听到你的死讯,我才后悔,我要亲手给你幸福,不假他人之手。”“真好,我终于不用追着你跑了,遇到你,我才知道我曾经所有的苦难都是为了让你来到我的身边,来世,你要记得我。”“嗯”。 PS:有兴趣的书友请多指教。
  • 傲天神尊

    傲天神尊

    你为我而沉睡,我为你而疯狂!你为我而痴情,我为你而承诺!手持风雷枪,身伴麒麟兽,你阻我,杀!你助我,救!因她,枪挑天下!因她,重铸乾坤!破乾坤,悟生死,虚阴阳,成无极!
  • 女人不怯场的智慧

    女人不怯场的智慧

    每个人都能在看这本书的过程中有所收获和变化,如果它对你没有起到作用,或者说你即便照这些方法做了也还是不灵,那也不必太郁闷。这是天性使然,说明你性情非常善良、宽厚,是个很值得交往的人。要知道,人生并不是只有一种模式,你完全可以在你天然性格的支配下,做一个你习惯做或是愿意做的人。
  • 追梦篮球

    追梦篮球

    “我不想成为他的影子。”于是,林秀选择了他的路子,只为证明自己比他更强!
  • 重生之夺夫

    重生之夺夫

    十年婚姻,她疲惫不堪。再世为人,回头却已是物是人非。因果循环,究竟是前世的因还是今生的果?剥丝抽茧,改变我们的命运!掌控全局,我要找回我的完美人生!
  • 谰言长语

    谰言长语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 念佛镜

    念佛镜

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 出生菩提心经

    出生菩提心经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。