“And the end of it all?” questioned the other.

“While there is a game to play, Paul, no man has won enough.  It’s the splendid sense of growing power.  It’s the thirst that grows with the wine you drink.  It’s fighting and conquering.  It is the magnificent dream of world-mastery.  The money itself!” He spread his hands contemptuously.  “That is a beggar’s reward—­it’s the symbol of Might that counts.”

Their mother entered the room as he spoke and paused at the threshold.  Her two sons went forward to meet her, and for a moment, she stood looking into Hamilton’s eyes.  Under her gaze their lust of conquest softened into tenderness and she brushed back the hair from his forehead as she shook her head and her eyes became misty.

“My egotistical boy,” she said in a low voice.  “My dear, egotistical boy!”

Yamuro appeared in the door, bearing a telegram, and swiftly Hamilton Burton tore the envelope.

“I am bringing in the pelt,” were the highly informative words.  “Hendricks accompanies me, Ruferton.”

The financier crumpled the slip in his hand and smiled.

“It’s fortunate,” he murmured half-aloud, “very fortunate—­for Ruferton—­that he didn’t fail.”

CHAPTER XVI

When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton’s house the clock was striking nine.  After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.

Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.

Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.  Hendricks took a hasty step forward.  “Mr. Burton,” he questioned tensely, “in heaven’s name, what is this menace of which you sent me warning?”

“It is grave enough,” came the prompt response, “to warrant my asking you to come—­at whatever inconvenience.  But, first, may I put to you a brief question?  Will you sell to me your holdings of Coal and Ore stock—­at a price well above the market?” The question came casually at a moment when Hendricks burned for personal information and it took him off his feet.  Incidentally it informed him subtly that whatever Hamilton Burton was willing to do for him would be predicated on what he was willing to do for Hamilton Burton.  Burton bargains were rarely charities.

“My Coal and Ore is not for sale,” he answered vaguely.

“Though I offer your own price?”

“No.  The question is not one of price, but of loyalty.”

“Loyalty to Malone and Harrison?”

“Among others, yes.  To the heads of the Consolidated group.  Now will you please give me the news for which I have come a long distance?”