Within four days, the Armstrong Company was established in new
offices directly across the street from the stronghold of
Consolidated Securities. The separation was not accomplished without
pain, and considerable effort as well.
There was no objection from Consolidated; could be none. Bickering
in the parlor was echoed below-stairs, however; a violent controversy
raged through the offices between Armstrong's men and those whom
Macgowan had attached to himself. Among these latter, Armstrong
found some of his own experts ranked. His disillusionment was
rapidly becoming complete.
Judge Holcomb, being made acquainted with full details, quietly
resigned from the directorate of Consolidated; an occurrence which,
though passing without great comment, was destined to have momentous
results later.
Jimmy Wren returned. He was contrite and exceedingly ashamed of his
flight, without knowing exactly how it had come about, except that
Macgowan's suggestions had prevailed. When he learned all that had
happened, he set forth to hammer Macgowan with his fists; Armstrong
checked this impulse with peremptory words, and Wren soon forgot past
things in a furious rush of work that lasted into the next week.
Indeed, this work involved in the change of offices was a godsend to
Armstrong himself. For, even following Wren's return, he heard
nothing from either Dorns or Mansfield. When he impatiently called
up Mansfield, he was told to be patient and wait for further notice.
And the notice did not come.
This silence endured over the week-end and New Year's Day. To
Armstrong, the suspense of those few days at length became horrible.
The mere fact that he was doing nothing, taking no action against
Macgowan, grew portentous in his mind beyond its true value. He
could work out no plan of campaign until hearing further from
Mansfield and Dorns; meantime, he had made a dozen plans and could go
ahead with none of them.
Doubts assailed him, strange doubts and suspicions of those two men.
The deliberate unmasking of Macgowan had shaken his faith, shaken his
confidence in himself and in his judgment of other men. He began to
imagine that Dorns had lied to him, that Mansfield lacked interest.
Perhaps Macgowan had approached them! This last thought terrified
him.
Nor was it an inconceivable thought. He knew now what had been going
on during his absence in Evansville over Christmas. Nothing was seen
of any postal inspectors at the new offices, nothing further was
heard of any proceedings; yet Macgowan had set that investigation
afoot, had caused it in Washington. The letter from Seattle had been
a blind, a mere nothing, written at Macgowan's dictation. Armstrong
was rapidly getting a true focus on the _modus operandi_ of his
former friend.
With work to occupy him, Armstrong was all right; out of the office,
he became a prey to despondency. His initiative was blocked. He
brooded over the silence of Dorns and Mansfield, tried to force his
mind to other things, and succeeded only indifferently. In those
black days it was Dorothy who kept him balanced, who restored the
threatened loss of control and poise, devoting herself to meeting the
danger. She kept his thoughts off Macgowan as much as possible.
Before the arrival of her parents for a short visit preceding their
trip to Europe, she insisted that Armstrong make no mention to the
Demings of his altered affairs.
"But I'd like to have your father's advice, Dot!" he expostulated.
"You'll get advice from Dorns in due time." She saw his face darken
at this, and went hurriedly on. "Besides, father would give up his
trip and stay right here to fight it out beside you--and he must have
the voyage. He needs the vacation; he needs to learn all over how to
play. And I don't want their visit spoiled by a lot of worry, dear;
we want them to have a good time."
"All right," agreed Armstrong. "We'll say nothing about it all."
Yet he was aware that Dorothy's pleading was largely for his own
sake, and to keep him off the subject while at home.
On the following Monday, Armstrong received a telephone request from
Mansfield that he send Wren over to the latter's office at once. The
lawyer was curt and noncommittal, or so Armstrong fancied. Wren did
not return before Armstrong left for home, nor was there any chance
to see Wren in the morning, for the Demings were to arrive by an
early train and Armstrong motored in with Dorothy to meet them. His
worry had redoubled.
The train was late. Armstrong left Dorothy at the train exit and
went to a telephone booth. He called the office, discovered that
Jimmy Wren was out--and that Robert Dorns had left a call there for
him. Two minutes later he thrilled to the voice of Dorns.
"Hello, Armstrong! Can you come over to Mansfield's office at three
this afternoon?"
"You bet! Any news?"
"Nope. I'll have some by that time, though. So long."
When Armstrong rejoined Dorothy before the train exit, her eyes
widened at sight of his radiant face. She seized his arm eagerly.
"Reese! What is it? Good news?"'
He smiled. "Conference this afternoon with Dorns and Mansfield."
"Now! Aren't you ashamed of the way you've worried? Reese, there's
something that has just occurred to me. You remember Muirhead, that
Western man we met at the Grays' on Christmas day--the one who was
telling about the Stockmen's Protective Association? I think that
was the name of his cattle organization--"
Armstrong nodded. "Sure. What about it?"
"Why, it suggested something to me! Last night, you were talking
about forming some organization of the stockholders to fight
Macgowan. Couldn't you give it that very name--Stockholders'
Protective Association? It's a splendid name!"
"Good!" Armstrong's eyes kindled. "Fine idea, Dot! Sure, I'll take
up the idea, and if Mansfield approves--but here comes the crowd.
Train's in."
"Oh--there's father--Reese, don't you dare breathe a word of trouble!"
The Demings joined them with hearty greetings. J. Fortescue Deming
clapped his son-in-law on the shoulder admiringly.
"Reese, you're looking like a fighting-cock! When Dot left us so
hurriedly, I had a notion you were in some sort of a business fight.
Win out?"
"Well, I'm winning!" Armstrong laughed as the words left his lips.
He knew suddenly that he was all right again, that he was indeed
winning. After those few words from Robert Dorns, ten minutes ago,
the clouds had lifted.
The faith of men still endured.
When he entered Mansfield's office, at three that afternoon,
Armstrong discovered that the lawyer had not been idle these past few
days. Mansfield greeted him heartily; Dorns had not yet arrived.
"Well, Mr. Armstrong, I have some definite word for you. That postal
investigation is no longer to be feared."
"I never feared it." Armstrong smiled. "You have blocked it, then?"'
The other assented. "Yes, dependent upon my production of certain
evidence. I have got this from Mr. Wren; the rest is a matter of
routine. You've had no further trouble?"
"None. I've been awaiting word from you and have kept quiet."
"Good. Judge Holcomb should be here at any moment now."
"Holcomb?" Armstrong's brows went up. He had not seen the judge
since the latter had resigned from Consolidated, and had fancied him
out of town.
"He has been lending me some assistance in this affair," said
Mansfield. "Ah, here's Dorns now! He seems to bear tidings."
Robert Dorns appeared. He came into the room, stopped, regarded them
with an expansive grin, and waved his unlighted cigar.
"By glory, we got 'em!" he uttered. "We got 'em cold!"'
Armstrong leaped to his feet. "How? Why?"
"Consolidated had a directors' meeting this morning. Macgowan and
Findlater got into the trough with both feet--back salaries, fees,
and so forth--they only touched the treasury for about thirty-five
thousand! How does that suit you, Q. Adams?"
During the amazed silence that greeted this information, Judge
Holcomb entered and was apprised of the news.
Dorns had reliable word of the directors' meeting from one of his men
now employed by Consolidated; his guarantee of satisfactory evidence
later on was more than sufficient for his auditors. Mansfield, quite
aware of Armstrong's leashed eagerness, interrupted the discussion.
"Gentlemen, one moment! This audacity is astounding. What do you
think should be done, Mr. Armstrong?"
"We'll have to direct our fight at Findlater," said Armstrong.
"Macgowan has left him in as president in order to use him as a
shield and figurehead. The only way we can hit at Macgowan is
through Findlater. Do you think we can have him removed on the
strength of this looting, or both of them?"
"Certainly--but not before April. We must not conceal from ourselves
Macgowan's ability to use the law. The eyes of Justice are hooded,
unfortunately, and we cannot expect haste from the legal machinery."
"Then," said Armstrong, "I'll tell you what I propose doing, and get
your advice; it looks as though we must make up our minds to a long
fight. First, we must take all personalities out of the fight. I
want to figure in it as little as possible. There will be an
understanding that I am not fighting for any office in Consolidated;
this fact will serve tremendously in retaining for us the confidence
of the stockholders."
Holcomb and Mansfield nodded tacit assent.
"Now," went on Armstrong, "I don't want to climb on any pedestal of
altruistic virtue. I suggest that we form a Stockholders' Protective
Association, composed of all the Consolidated investors we can round
up. At the head of this, place a committee of three men, of whom I
suggest Judge Holcomb as one. The others may be selected later.
From now until the annual meeting on April third, let this
association carry on a campaign of publicity against the Consolidated
looters, particularly against Macgowan, since he's the power behind
Findlater. Make clear that this campaign is not directed against
Consolidated, but for Consolidated.
"While Mr. Mansfield is at work with Mr. Dorns, let us reach every
investor in the company through this association; hold meetings,
write letters, reach them by every means! Use the radio. The
Armstrong Company publishes a monthly pamphlet for its _clientèle_,
and this pamphlet may be distributed to reach the entire list of
investors--"
"With what object?" interjected Judge Holcomb.
"That of obtaining their proxies for use at the annual meeting."
This unexpected retort brought a new and frowning attention to the
eyes of his auditors. He went on quickly.
"Oh, I've given up hope of a quick fight! We'll not down Macgowan in
a hurry. Judge, your thousand shares of common are tied up in that
voting trust, along with mine; Macgowan is going to fight to keep
that voting trust from being dissolved a few days before the meeting,
I'm afraid. We must take no chances. I have some stock outside the
voting trust. We must campaign for votes and leave no effort
unexpended. We have something definite to go on, now. How much of
that thirty-five thousand was voted for back salaries, Dorns?"
The detective shook his head. "No details yet. Get 'em in a day or
two."
"No matter," put in Mansfield, a gleam in his eye. "Back salary in
any amount is illegal."
"Exactly," went on Armstrong. "That's my scheme,
gentlemen--publicity! We have nothing to conceal; they have
everything. I have written agreements from these men to act without
salary for three years, and the time isn't up by a long shot. We
must count largely upon Mr. Dorns to supply evidence from the books
of Consolidated, as we go along, in regard to what Macgowan does; but
we can obtain information without much trouble.
"I can prophesy one thing that'll be done soon. Findlater has a
friend with some scheme for refining turpentine, which I rejected as
a wild dream. The new directorate will finance this scheme, mark me!
We shan't lack ammunition. The main thing is to reach every investor
quickly, giving him the truth about the new management and what can
be expected of it."
There was a moment of silence. Judge Holcomb fingered his gray beard
frowningly. Mansfield was gazing reflectively at the ceiling. Dorns
chewed hard on a cigar. The silence was at length broken by Holcomb.
"By gad, Armstrong, that plan is excellent! You may count on me to
the limit. Whom else shall we call in to form this Protective
Association?"
"Me," said Dorns. The others looked at him.
"You?" said Armstrong. "But you're not an investor--"
"Is that so, huh?" Dorns held out his cigar and grinned. "I bought
me five hundred shares of Consolidated on Saturday! I know a good
thing when I see it, or when somebody hits me over the head like you
did last Wednesday. Yep, you count me in, see?"
"I suggest," said Mansfield in his quiet way, "that Mr. Armstrong and
Judge Holcomb take up this association matter between them. I shall
at once apply for the removal of Findlater and Macgowan, and shall
confer with you to-morrow, Mr. Armstrong, regarding the extortion
charge. Judge, an excellent man to serve on your committee would be
Frederic Bruton, the president of Baliol University--a man of the
very highest character and reputation, well known through the East,
and if he could be induced to serve--"
"He can," put in Armstrong. "He was one of my professors at college.
I know him well, and shall run up to Baliol the end of the week and
see him."
"In that case, sir, you may make such use of my name as you deem
proper,"' said Mansfield unexpectedly.
Armstrong looked at these men--the burly detective, the attorney, the
retired financier and judge--and found himself all at once wordless.
He remembered the wreck he had been only a few days previously; yet
now these men were with him, supporting him not only with their
effort and money, but with their names and reputations.
"Gentlemen," he said abruptly, "I--I don't know how to tell you how I
appreciate your confidence in me--"
He broke off abruptly as he had begun.
"Don't mention it, Armstrong--our confidence is in you because you
stand for something," said Judge Holcomb. He added, a smile twisting
at his lips: "I don't mind saying, too, that Macgowan's law firm
handed me a mean jolt a year or two ago, and I haven't forgotten it
by a good deal! Maybe I'm not altogether altruistic in this affair."
"Oh, hell!" Dorns rose. "Macgowan's a crook and we know it. So
long, gentlemen! See you again, Armstrong."
The conference had ended. The fight had begun.