Oil" game, I must play cards their
way--dispassionately, scientifically, with no sentiment nor
consideration for adversary or partner. With this conviction I went to
bed.

It was quite early on the following morning that I met Mr. Rogers, and
without giving him time to begin the conversation, for I was determined
he should have no provocation for the break with me that I guessed he
had on his programme, I started in:

"I have been figuring this thing out, Mr. Rogers, and I think I see
things as they are, and although I might not have handled it as you and
Stillman did, it is done, and the only thing to do now is to make some
arrangements to keep the subscribers feeling good until the stock gets
to a round premium. Of course it would not do to have any slump below
par until after the receipts are issued and the whole amount of the
subscriptions paid up."

Mr. Rogers looked me over, very suspiciously at first, then brightened
up, and it did not require an extra eye to see he was agreeably
surprised at my cheerful attitude. Doubtless he explained to himself the
change on the ground that "He at last sees the dollars he is to have."

"What suggestion have you, Lawson, as to what should be done this
morning?"

"Only that all hands look happy, talk big, and do all possible to keep a
good premium on the stock to be delivered when issued. By the way, have
you and Stillman changed the scheme about putting all the cash received
behind the stock?"

This I asked in as mild a tone as possible, and tried to convey by my
voice the suggestion, "Because you may have had good reason to, and if
you have I will not kick over the traces." It took every ounce of
will-power in my armament to keep from grating my teeth as I so spoke.

Again his eyes bored piercingly into mine, and I felt as though all the
man's mental faculties were ranged to assail me, but I guess I ran the
gauntlet.

"Yes," he said slowly, "we have changed it some. The fact is, Lawson, I
have agreed to leave that part wholly to Flower and Stillman, while I
run out of town for a few days." I had steeled myself to play the game
and said not a word, but silence was a mighty effort. "And," he went on,
"if I were you, Lawson, I should just dig out too for a while."

"What a heartless rascal!" was on my lips, but I gripped myself hard
and pushed the insult clear way back, and made never a protest by word
or look.

"I am afraid that won't be best," I said in an every-da