directors' meetings now going on at the Douglas Trust Company. I
got this from Duniway, who seems to have friends somewhere that
know."

Cowperwood put the ends of his fingers together in his customary
way and began to tap them lightly and rhythmically.

"Let me see--the Douglas Trust Company. Mr. Simms is president
of that. He isn't shrewd enough to organize a thing of that kind.
Who are the incorporators?"

The General produced a list of four names, none of them officers
or directors of the old companies.

"Dummies, every one," said Cowperwood, succinctly. "I think I
know," he said, after a few moments' reflection, "who is behind
it, General; but don't let that worry you. They can't harm us if
they do unite. They're bound to sell out to us or buy us out
eventually."

Still it irritated him to think that Schryhart had succeeded in
persuading the old companies to combine on any basis; he had meant
to have Addison go shortly, posing as an outside party, and propose
this very thing. Schryhart, he was sure, had acted swiftly following
their interview. He hurried to Addison's office in the Lake
National.

"Have you heard the news?" exclaimed that individual, the moment
Cowperwood appeared. "They're planning to combine. It's Schryhart.
I was afraid of that. Simms of the Douglas Trust is going to act