or authority do you make yourself aware of my private affairs down
practically to the last penny?"

"I apologize, Senator, if I answered your question too literally,"
Gorham replied, quietly.

"But how do you know it?"

"I neglected to state that the secret-service department of the
Consolidated Companies excels in efficiency that of any government. You
can readily appreciate its importance."

"And you know with equal minuteness the financial condition of every man
on that list?"

Gorham nodded. "Yes; and of every individual, corporation, business
house, and government wherever it is of any value to us to know it."

Kenmore again relapsed into silence. He was experiencing a larger number
of new sensations during his conference than he remembered ever having
had aroused by any previous discussion. He was angry with himself for
having permitted the interview, he was incensed by the proposition
itself and the apparent unassailability of the Companies, he was annoyed
by Gorham's good manners and his complete self-control. Never once had
this man, who appeared to have his finger upon the pulse of the world,
allowed his attitude even to approach enthusiasm. He simply presented
facts, and then allowed them to tell their own story.

"You are at liberty, sir, to acquaint me with the transactions of the
Consolidated Companies," the Senator finally remarked.

"Probably a few specific cases will suffice," Gorham responded, as if
expecting to receive Kenmore's permission. "You will remember, perhaps,
the apparently insurmountable complications which arose over the placing
of the recent loan of fifty million dollars to the Chinese government,
for their currency reforms and other necessary improvements. As soon as
the Consolidated Companies assumed the responsibility of the
negotiations, all international bickerings ceased, for the Chinese,
French, German, English, and American financiers knew that the loan
would be handled to the advantage of all. I could cite, perhaps, a
hundred cases of similar importance, would time permit. As for the
present, you are aware that England is building several great men-of-war
to restore its navy to its previous supremacy. The contracts for this
work have been placed in the hands of the Consolidated Companies. Our
political strength was tested in a small way two years ago in causing a
cessation of hostilities between Austria and her neighbors. We shall be
strong enough before the war cloud g