Carmen Ariza Part 120

"That was when I controlled wheat," said Ames, "and was all tied up.

But this is a wholly different proposition. It will be done so quietly and thoroughly that it will all be over and the profits pocketed before the women wake up to what we're doing. In this case there will be nothing to store. And potatoes exposed in the field rot quickly, you know."

The rest of the group seemed to study the idea for some moments. Then the practical Murdock inquired of Ames if he would agree to handle the project, provided they took it up.

"Yes," a.s.sented Ames, "on a five per cent basis. And I am ready to put agents in the field to-morrow."

"Then, Madam Beaubien," said Fitch, "I move that we adopt the plan as set forth by Mr. Ames, and commission him to handle it, calling upon us equally for whatever funds he may need."

A further brief discussion ensued; and then the resolution was unanimously adopted.

"Say, Ames," queried Weston, with a glint of mischief in his eyes, "will any of these potatoes be s.h.i.+pped over the C. and R.?" A laugh went up around the table, in which Ames himself joined. "Yes," he said, "potatoes and cotton will both go over that road next summer, and I shall fix the rebates."

"How about your friend Ketchim?" suggested Fitch, with a wink at Murdock.

Ames's mouth set grimly, and the smile left his face. "Ketchim is going to Sing Sing for that little deal," he returned in a low, cold tone, so cold that even the Beaubien could not repress a little shudder. "I had him on Molino, but he trumped up a new company which absorbed Molino and satisfied everybody, so I am blocked for the present. But, mark me, I shall strip him of every dollar, and then put him behind the bars before I've finished!"

And no one sought to refute the man, for they knew he spoke truth.

At midnight, while the cathedral chimes in the great hall clock were sending their trembling message through the dark house, the Beaubien rose, and the dinner was concluded. A few moments later the guests were spinning in their cars to their various homes or clubs--all but Ames. As he was preparing to leave, the Beaubien laid a hand on his arm. "Wait a moment, Wilton," she said. "I have something important to discuss with you." She led him into the morning room, where a fire was blazing cheerily in the grate, and drew up a chair before it for him, then nestled on the floor at his feet.

"I sent Gannette home this evening," she began, by way of introduction.

"He was drunk. I would drop him entirely, only you said--"

"We need him," interrupted Ames. "Hold him a while longer."

"I'll soil my hands by doing it; but it is for you. Now tell me," she went on eagerly, "what about Colombia? Have you any further news from Wenceslas?"

"A cable to-day. Everything's all right. Don't worry. The Church is with the Government, and they will win--although your money may be tied up for a few years. Still, you can't lose in the end."

The woman sat for some moments gazing into the fire. Then:

"Lafelle was here again to-day."

"Hold him, too," said Ames quickly. "Looks as if I had made you a sort of holding company, doesn't it?" he added, with a chuckle. "But we shall have good use for these fellows."

"He gave me some very interesting news," she said; and then went on to relate the conversation in detail. Ames laughed loudly as he listened. "And now, Wilton," said the Beaubien, a determined look coming into her face, "you have always said that you never forgave me for making you let Jim Crowles off, when you had him by the throat.

Well, I'm going to give you a chance to get more than even. Jim's fat widow is after your wife's scalp. I intend that she shall lose her own in the chase. I've got my plans all laid, and I want your wife to meet the lovely Mrs. Hawley-Crowles at the Fitch's next Thursday afternoon.

It will be just a formal call--mutual introductions--and, later, an invitation from Mrs. Ames to Mrs. Hawley-Crowles. Meantime, I want you to get Mrs. Hawley-Crowles involved in a financial way, and shear her of every penny! Do you understand?"

Ames looked at her quizzically. Then he broke into another sharp laugh. "My dear," said he, taking her hand, "you are charming this evening. Added years only make you more beautiful."

"Nonsense, Will!" she deprecated, although the smile she gave him attested her pleasure in the compliment. "Well," she continued briskly, "if I'm so beautiful, you can't help loving me; and if you love me, you will do what I ask."

He playfully pinched her cheek. "Why, poor old Jim Crowles! Really, I've long since forgotten him. Do you realize that that was more than ten years ago?"

"Please don't mention years, dear," she murmured, shuddering a little.

"Tell me, what can we do to teach this fat hussy a lesson?"

"Well," he suggested, laughing, "we might get Ketchim after her, to sell her a wad of his worthless stocks; then when he goes down, as he is going one of these days, we will hope that it will leave her on the rocks of financial ruin, eh?"

"What's Ketchim promoting?" she asked. "I know nothing about him."

"Why, among other innocent novelties, a scheme bearing the sonorous t.i.tle of Simiti Development Company, I am told by my brokers."

"Simiti! Why--I've heard Carmen mention that name. I wonder--"

"Well, and who is Carmen?" he asked with a show of real interest.

"My little friend--the one and only honest person I've ever dealt with, excepting, of course, present company."

"The amendment is accepted. And now where does this Carmen enter the game?"

"Why, she's--surely you know about her!"

"If I did I should not ask." "Well, she is a little Colombian--"

"Colombian!"

"Yes. They say she's an Inca princess. Came up with the engineers who went down there for Ketchim to examine the Molino properties. She lived all her life in a town called Simiti until she came up here."

Ames leaned over and looked steadily into the fire. "Never heard of the place," he murmured dreamily.

"Well," said the Beaubien eagerly, "she's a--a wonderful child! I'm different when I'm with her."

He roused from his meditations and smiled down at the woman. "Then I'd advise you not to be with her much, for I prefer you as you are."

They sat some minutes in silence. Then the woman looked up at her companion. "What are you thinking about so seriously?" she asked.

The man started; then drew himself up and gave a little nervous laugh.

"Of you," he replied evasively, "always."

She reached up and slapped his cheek tenderly. "You were dreaming of your awful business deals," she said. "What have you in hand now?--besides the revolution in Colombia, your mines, your mills, your banks, your railroads and trolley lines, your wheat and potato corners, your land concessions and cattle schemes, and--well, that's a start, at least," she finished, pausing for breath.

"Another big deal," he said abruptly.

"Wheat, again?"

"No, cotton. I'm buying every bale I can find, in Europe, Asia, and the States."

"But, Will, you've been caught in cotton before, you know. And I don't believe you can get away with it again. Unless--"

"That's it--unless," he interrupted. "And that's just the part I have taken care of. It's a matter of tariff. The cotton schedule will go through as I have it outlined. I practically own the Commission. They don't dare refuse to pa.s.s the measure. Cotton is low now. In a few months the tariff on cotton products will be up. The new tariff-wall sends the price of raw stuff soaring. I profit, coming and going. I was beaten on the last deal simply because of faulty weather prognostications. I made a bad guess. This time the weather doesn't figure. I'll let you in, if you wish. But these other fellows have got to stay out."

"I haven't a penny to invest, Will," she replied mournfully. "You got me so terribly involved in this Colombian revolution."

"Oh, well," he returned easily, "I'll lend you what you need, any amount. And you can give me your advice and suggestions from time to time. As for your Colombian investments, haven't I guaranteed them, practically?"

"Not in writing," she said, looking up at him with a twinkle in her eyes.