Fred M. White

“ And I had not then the proofs which I have placed in your hands. And why you come to me and proclaim the fact that you have probed my history, I know not.”
Gryde’s face expressed the most engaging frankness.
“I will tell you,” he said. “Accident gave me the clue. The rest is merely a game of financial chess. You have the board and the position, but you do not possess the requisite strength to play a cunning game—I do. You are a poor man in needy circumstances, you have an idea which might be put to practical results in America if you only had the money. ”

“ Granville said, huskily. “Reading between the lines of your letter it is easy to see that you are possessed of the one shameful secret of my life. With such proofs as you possess, a single card, and my social and political career is ended. There is one other man, but—pshaw!—he dare not speak. Your proofs, sir.”
Gryde laid a packet of papers on the table. ”

“ Gryde followed every line of these details carefully. On every side signs of grief and woe were to be seen. As a spectacle the funeral of President Granville was likely to become a record amongst pageants of the kind.
As might naturally have been expected, the tragic event practically ended, for the time being at least, the Exhibition festivities. From a commercial point of view it meant ruin to many of the leading shopkeepers. Many establishments closed altogether, the theatres were deserted, and the Exhibition grounds presented the most dreary spectacle. ”

“ Gryde responded.
“O, I am not complaining. I suppose Lutetia is not likely to see anything of your wonderful show when you have this money.”
Gryde puffed at his cigarette thoughtfully.
“Well, I am not so sure of that,” he responded. “You people are exceedingly volatile, and you may shake this off in a few days. Anyway, I can afford to wait here a few weeks and see now. My entertainment is not going to be produced anywhere in anything but a gala season.” ”

“ Gryde nodded. He perfectly understood. Then he rose to go. As he passed along the now deserted moonlit streets in the direction of his chambers he passed several of the now famous Eros posters. There was a peculiar smile on his face.
“Artistic,” he muttered, “and represent a hundred thousand per cent. each. No picture-dealer ever made such a profit before.” ”

“ Trembling from day to day upon the verge of ruin, you have had resource to speculation. In your position, with the exclusive information at your command, you could hardly lose. You are on a great venture now, which, when it is ripe a few weeks hence, will mean millions of money to you. Do not protest, because my proofs are absolute and conclusive.”
“You are the devil,” the President the groaned.
“A poor devil,” Gryde said, with sardonic pleasantry. ”

“ And Granville is no better than myself.”
“Most of us are guilty of indiscretions at some time or another,” Gryde said soothingly. “The President, it seems from your proofs, is a kind of Gallic Prince Hal up-to-date. You say he ought to have suffered with you!”
“Ma foi, yes. That is five-and-twenty years ago. I was the catspaw and he escaped. Then he got himself conveniently drowned under his proper name, and reappeared three years later under a new description. When I came to Lutetia a year ago and saw him, I was astounded. ”

“ Guess why?”
“Because you did not serve out your sentence at Toulon, but escaped.”
“You have guessed it. You are a marvellous man. I am liable, therefore, to serve the rest of my sentence if I am discovered. ”