The Lever | Page 8

of
all who have contributed to its capital or in the interest of the public,
which gives it its power; when it employs its profits so as to affect the
market value of securities and then speculates in these for its own
advantage,--then it will be flagrantly abusing a power which has been
given to it in trust, and its unique position in the business world will be
destroyed."
There was another long silence, which this time was not broken until
the Senator was quite ready to speak. When the moment came the
question was asked abruptly:
"How much can you consistently tell me of any of the corporation's
transactions? I know of them, of course, by hearsay, but I should be
glad to receive more intimate information."
"Nothing, without assurances of your serious interest, provided I can
demonstrate to your satisfaction the strength of the facts I have
mentioned; everything when you care to give me these assurances."
The Senator winced. He had expected to meet a man with whose type
he was perfectly familiar, to explain to him that the private affairs of
the Hon. James Kenmore, business or otherwise, were always kept
entirely distinct from his political life, and to dismiss him with merely
the courtesy demanded by the unusually strong letters which had
introduced him. But Robert Gorham did not belong to the expected
type. There were no earmarks of the promoter about him, in spite of the
fact that the enterprise of which he stood as the head and front was in
reality the most gigantic piece of promotion engineering the world had
seen. On the contrary, Gorham was the refined man of affairs,
confident in himself and in the certainty of his strength. And as for
dismissal, the Senator realized that his caller had already made himself
the dominant power.
"You wish me to subscribe for stock in this corporation to the extent of
a hundred thousand dollars?"

"I am empowered by our directors to offer you the opportunity to
subscribe for that amount."
The Senator passed over the obvious correction.
"Why am I selected by your directors rather than others of my
colleagues whose names I do not observe upon that list?"
"Because we consider your position in the United States Senate to be
one of increasing importance, and of value to the Companies," Gorham
answered, frankly.
"Why has the specific amount of my desired subscription been so
carefully stipulated?"
"Because your investment in the Consolidated Companies must be
heavy enough in its relation to your personal fortune to make the
success of the corporation a matter of real concern to you."
"Are these amounts, then, uniform in size?"
"Not at all. A hundred thousand dollars to you may be no more than
five thousand to some other stockholder, and no less, on the other hand,
than half a million to a third. In every case the amount of the
subscription is carefully considered."
"Your directors have made a preliminary estimate of my financial
standing?"
"Certainly."
Kenmore smiled incredulously. "Would it be asking too much to
inquire what the inventory, made by your experts, shows?"
"One million two hundred thousand," Gorham responded, promptly.
"Except for your unfortunate investment in the Arizona oil-wells a year
ago, it might have been half a million more--a loss which your
fortunate connection during the past three years as a special partner in
the well-known banking-house of Gilroy and Company has more than

made up."
The Senator sprang excitedly to his feet. "By George! sir, by what
power or authority do you make yourself aware of my private affairs
down practically to the last penny?"
"I apologize, Senator, if I answered your question too literally,"
Gorham replied, quietly.
"But how do you know it?"
"I neglected to state that the secret-service department of the
Consolidated Companies excels in efficiency that of any government.
You can readily appreciate its importance."
"And you know with equal minuteness the financial condition of every
man on that list?"
Gorham nodded. "Yes; and of every individual, corporation, business
house, and government wherever it is of any value to us to know it."
Kenmore again relapsed into silence. He was experiencing a larger
number of new sensations during his conference than he remembered
ever having had aroused by any previous discussion. He was angry
with himself for having permitted the interview, he was incensed by the
proposition itself and the apparent unassailability of the Companies, he
was annoyed by Gorham's good manners and his complete self-control.
Never once had this man, who appeared to have his finger upon the
pulse of the world, allowed his attitude even to approach enthusiasm.
He simply presented facts, and then allowed them to tell their own
story.
"You are at liberty, sir, to acquaint me with the transactions of the