The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 81: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GOLD DELUGE. 465 pose? He had been angry at Professor Dickmann for a few moments, but he soon forgot the unpleasantness. All the world knew what he was, prominent though he had once been among scientists. No, to waste a thought on that matter was ridiculous. Hrik determined to visit the Dania Bank, then to de- scribe his discovery ina pamphlet, publish it, and mail copies to every scientific society in the world ; that was the proper course—the only sensible one. With energetic steps and erect bearing, Erik proceeded on his walk. The street was bathed in clear, beautiful sunlight ; he felt exalted—felt himself on a higher plane than his surroundings, and his spirit of pride once thor- oughly aroused, he walked so briskly that he soon found difficulty in breath- ing. He felt that he was in the foremost rank among the leading men of the world. Accidentally his glances were arrested by a Hebrew strutting along, clad in an extremely rich fur coat, and this Hebrew eyed Erik with an aggravatingly superior mien. Could that individul only realize who the man was whom he passed so contemptuously ? Hrik smiled to himself when he thought of the panic he had it in his power to create on the stock exchange, did he desire it —why, it would be like striking between an army of ants with a stick—they would be scattered like chaff. He arrived at the bank, presented his card, and requested to see the privy councilor, Hspensen. After a moment’s delay, Erik was in his presence. He was a small, pedantic gentleman with a well kept gray goatee, and wear- ing a stiff, high, old fashioned white collar and stock. He greeted Erik politely and desired to know his wishes. Certain rumors regarding Erik had become current in financial circles. The public wished to ascertain from what source his wealth had come, but the sturmises somehow would not agree. Some said that he had won large sums in the foreign lotteries, others claimed that he had inherited money from an uncle who had died in South America, a millionaire, but others again asserted that Erik had been gold hunting in California and experienced won- derful luck. How else could he have obtained the massive gold bars which he supplied to the banks? On the other hand it was a positive fact, that he had been chemist at a factory in Roenningshof ; had he assumed this position only to discover for himself how the business paid, before purchasing the company’s stock ? (In spite of all the secrecy maintained, the fact that Erik owned the factory had leaked out.) ‘These things would not harmonize when put together, and peo- ple knew not what to think. Undoubtedly, however, he was a very wealthy man, to whom the greatest attention was due, no matter whence his wealth came. For this reason privy councilor Espensen was the perfection of politeness. ‘‘ I have delivered,’’ Erik began, ‘‘large quantities of gold bullion to the bank in bars 3 7 ‘Yes, yes, very true,’’ the privy councilor replied. ‘I made this gold myself /”’ ‘' Made it!’ gasped the privy councilor. ‘‘ Do you mean to say that the gold you sold us was spurious?’’ he fairly screamed. (F) Comiclooolks 5}