Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 031 by Maxwel l Grant

Author:Maxwel,l Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

CHAPTER XIII. THE ULTIMATUM

THE departure of Selfridge Woodstock and his secretary had left the directors of the Amalgamated Builders' Association in high fettle. Felix Cushman, the sharp-visaged chairman of the board, was prompt to state the importance of what had occurred.

"Gentlemen," he said, "this means absolute success to our projects. By acquiring the cooperation of Selfridge Woodstock, by gaining his consent to duplicate the amount of our resources, we have assured ourselves against unexpected competition. Our president, Mr. Pringle, can tell you that."

Pringle was nodding solemnly.

"Yes," he asserted, "there is every reason to believe that Woodstock intended to put his money into building operations, here in New York. I have dealt with Woodstock before; I knew him to be a man of quick and definite decisions. We have gained Woodstock's support; moreover, we will not lose him, now that he has decided to go with us."

"We have made millions here tonight," added Cushman. "Pringle says that he will not lose Woodstock. I tell you that we cannot afford to lose him. We have large resources, but they would not be large enough to offset any combination that might be formed to compete with us. Woodstock, however, has settled everything in our favor.

"I tell you again, gentlemen, those few minutes that he was here were worth millions to all of you who have large holdings in Amalgamated Builders!"

The directors, men of many millions, responded warmly to these statements. Cushman, the wealthiest of all, came in for strong approval. Pringle, too, was given his share of commendation. Although a comparatively small holder of Amalgamated securities, Pringle's position as president made him important.

Pringle had for years been connected with New York building promoters. He had, in a way, been inherited by Amalgamated Builders when a smaller concern had been absorbed by the large association.

Next to Pringle, Amalgamated had possessed Hubert Craft, the celebrated architect who had designed the most modern of the buildings which Amalgamated had promoted.

Pringle, now, made reference to the dead architect, in a thoughtful tone.

"This would have been glorious for Craft," remarked the president. "Gentlemen, our new projects will include some of the finest structures that will appear upon Manhattan's sky line!"

"We can count on Carmody," mentioned one of the directors.

This was the first reference to the architect who now served as successor to Hubert Craft. Still standing by the wall, Carmody acknowledged the compliment with a short bow.

A retiring, noncommittal sort of man, Carmody had plodded on to his present position of importance.

Nevertheless, his ability in building design had gained him merited recognition.

A TELEPHONE began to ring. Noting that the directors were again engaged in conversation, Carmody answered it. Talk ceased while the others listened to the architect's words.

"Mr. Pringle?" queried Carmody. "He's here... Yes... I understand... Wait a moment - you say it has been waiting for him, and should be delivered now... At the desk... One moment, please..."

Carmody covered the mouthpiece and turned to the men at the large table.

"An odd message for you, Mr. Pringle," the architect announced.

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