“Well, Mr. Vine,” Weiss said, “what can we do for you?  Are you too going to join in the hustle for wealth?  Have you any commissions for us?  You will forgive me if I ask you to come to the point quickly.  Things are moving about here just now, and we have little time to ourselves.  By the by, you know Littleson, I suppose?  Your business with me is not so private that you object to his remaining?”

“Certainly not,” Vine answered calmly.  “As a matter of fact, my business concerns also Mr. Littleson.  In fact, there are two other of your friends whom I should have been equally glad to have seen here.”

“Indeed!” Weiss answered.  “You mean?”

“Mr. Bardsley and Mr. Seth Higgins,” Vine replied.

“No doubt,” Weiss said, “Littleson and I will be able to convey to them anything you may have to say.  Come to the point!  What is it?  Are you going to write another of your sledge-hammer articles, damning us all to hell?  Perhaps you have come here for a little information as to our methods.  We will do our best to help you.  There are times when we fear enemies less than friends.”

“I, certainly,” Vine remarked, “do not come here as a friend, and yet,” he added, “I am not sure that mine might not be called to some extent a visit of friendship.  I have come here to warn you.”

Weiss reached out his hand for a box of cigars, and biting the end off one, put it unlit into his mouth.  He half offered the box to Vine, who, however, shook his head.

“Come,” he said, “you are a little enigmatic.  There is only one sort of business we understand here.  People come to buy or to sell.  Have you anything to sell?”

Norris Vine smiled quietly, as though at some thought which was passing through his brain.  He raised his eyes to Weiss’, and looked him steadily in the face.

“I am in possession,” he said, “of something which I think, Mr. Weiss, you would give half your fortune to buy, but I have not come here to sell.  I have come here to warn you of the instant use to which I propose to put a certain document, signed by you and Littleson, Bardsley and Seth Higgins.  It seems that you have entered into a conspiracy to remove from their places in the Government of this country the men who are pledged to the fight against the Trusts which you control.  By chance that document has come into my hands.  I propose to let the people of America know what sort of men you are, who have become the virtual governors of the country.”

Stephen Weiss’ surprise was exceedingly well simulated.

“I presume, Mr. Vine,” he said, “that you are not here to poke fun at us.  Tell me, if you please, what document it is to which you refer.”

“I think,” Vine answered, “that I need not enter into too close details.  It is a document which you and your friends signed at Phineas Duge’s house, not many nights ago.”