principal, from prime minister to king--I must, myself, promote myself,
for in this world all promotion that is solid comes from within. And in
furtherance of my object I had bought this group of mines, control of which
was vital to the Roebuck-Langdon-Melville combine for a monopoly of the
coal of the country.

"Did not Mr. Langdon commission you to buy them for him and his friends?"
inquired Roebuck, in that slow, placid tone which yet, for the attentive
ear, had a note in it like the scream of a jaguar that comes home and finds
its cub gone.

"But I couldn't get them for him," I explained. "The owners wouldn't sell
until I engaged that the National Coal and Railway Company was not to have
them."

"Oh, I see," said Roebuck, sinking back relieved. "We must get Browne to
draw up some sort of perpetual, irrevocable power of attorney to us for you
to sign."

"But I won't sign it," said I.

Roebuck took up a sheet of paper and began to fold it upon itself with
great care to get the edges straight. He had grasped my meaning; he was
deliberating.

"For four years now," I went on, "you people have been promising to take
me in as a principal in some one of your deals--to give me recognition by
making me president, or chairman of an executive or finance committee. I am
an impatient man, Mr. Roebuck. Life is short, and I have much to do. So I
have bought the Manasquale mines--and I shall hold them."