llent host. He sat at the head of his table, a distinguished, almost handsome personality, his grey hair accurately parted, e

read sketches of his career up in the little farmhouse amongst the mountains. They had read of his indomitable will, of his absolute heartlessness, the stern, persistent individuality which climbs and climbs, heedless of those who must fall by the way. Perhaps he was really like this. Perhaps her first impressions had been wrong. Then, with a sudden wave of shame, she remembered the joyous, affectionate letters which every post brought her fr

purposes. Lightly though they all talked, there was something in the background. More than once the voices were lowered, allusions were made which she failed to understand, and half-doubting glances were thrown in her

k of any matter of business in which we may be interested, before her. It is necessary," he continued, after a slight pause, "that

tephen Weiss, the head of a great trust, long, lean, with inscrutable face, and eyes hidden behind thick spectacles; Higgins, who virtually controlled a great railway system; Littleson and Bardsley, millionaires both,

a wise choice. There are some secrets too grea

uge lifte

re quite ready, we will take our coffee in the library." He turned to Virginia, who had risen at once

g-rooms, and, to relieve a certain strain of which she was somehow conscious, she played the piano softl

," he said, "you a

evening, and he carried a felt hat in his hand. Nevertheless hi

want to see my uncle, I suppose? They ha

ee you. It is such a simple matter I required, that it was not worth while interrupting him. My name is Carr, and I am on the Wor

are a report

seeking sometimes for the most trivial information. For instance, your uncle h

slowly, "what possible concer

ed indu

buy papers to-day are dead keen upon knowing even the most trifling things that such men do. In fact, I have been sent all the way up from down town simply to find out that simple m

ated, but only

ails," she said, "you must ask my

bother him with every little thing. Surely there can be nothing indiscreet in your

y uncle would wish me to do so. In any cas

ightly. This was not to

without bothering your uncle. Must be rather interesting

ook he

half of what they say,"

esn't sound in the

d apprec

sation that you understood. For instance, the Anti-Trust Bill that is coming before

and before the young man had perceive

ou are a very impertinent pe

ned towards the door. His expressio

"it's all in my day's work, you know. One has to try and find out these things, or one wouldn't be worth one's place

st unfair and ungentle

me. Each side knows the other's moves; there is no deceit about it. Men like your uncle, who want to cover up their actions, take as much pains to hoodwink us, and us

d she was unable to play. She took up a book and tried to read. All the time she kept glanc