PS 3513 .03 L4 1917 Copy 1 THE LEAK A story of political and financial intrigue. /; BY Pr Df GOLD, Jr. NEW YORK 1917 Copyrighted, 1917 by p. D. Gold, Jr. All rights reserved / G)CI,A453932 FEB -5 1917 13 THE LEAK A Story of Political and Financial Intrigue. By P. D. Gold, Jr. Chapter One. In Novemiber, 1912, immediately following the National Election, Wallace W. Raydon, multi-millionaire, and Rodney P. Norton, attorney for financial interests, meet in the Kismet Club, New York, to discuss re-organization of their secret forces in Washington, made necessary by the early advent of the new party in power, Dennis McConnell, ex-labor organizer, confers with them. Chapter Two. Randolph Claiborne Schuyler, formerly lobbyist in Albany, later representative of dollar diplomacy in European capitals, is selected to head the new organization. His first duty is to gain the confidence of the new Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate. By right of seniority Senator George Mason, of South Carolina, will be the man, and Schuyler is delegated to "get next." Upon returning home in the evening he apprises his mother of his commission. Chapter Three. Randolph Schuyler's mother is the wife of old John Schuy- ler, years her senior. Her first husband was Randolph Clai- borne, father of Randolph Claiborne Schuyler, whose name was legally changed. In 1866, as Ruth Moran, a child of twelve, she had gone with her father, Tom Moran, a "carpet-bagger," to Bennington, South Carolina. There she spent her young womanhood, a chum of Jeannette Covington, a girl of her own age. Ruth married Randolph Claiborne; Jeannette married his most intimate friend, George Mason, in whom jealousy is en- gendered from some unknown cause, precipitating a tragedy. In an unwitnessed duel in Claiborne's law office Claiborne is killed, and Mason, wounded in the head, survives an imbecile. Each wife blames the other. Within a few months a son is born to each, to Jeanette Mason at her home in Bennington — to Ruth Claiborne at her aunt's home in New York, where she had gone after her husband's death. Senator George Ma- son and Randolph Claiborne Schuyler are the two children grown up. Chapter Four. Norton, backed by Raydon and the powerful Calumet Bank, arranges for Schuyler to be properly introduced through their correspondent at Bennington. Schuyler leaves New York with the prayers of his mother that he may reap vengeance on Ma- son, the son of the man who killed his father. Chapter Five. Schuyler arrives in Bennington, and is met by Hamilton, the Vice-President of the Calumet Bank on his return from Havana, who "puts him right" with Malcolm Turner, ex-overseer and slave driver, but now president of the First National Bank of Bennington and the richest man in the State. Under the name of "Schuyler" no one suspects his identity as a descendant of the old Claiborne Family. Chapter Six. Schuyler accepts Turner's invitation to be his house guest at "KnoUwood Towers," is introduced to Mason as the friend of the Turner family, and finds Gertrude Benton a guest of Mrs. Mason. Chapter Seven. Norton and Raydon proceed in the development of their plans, selecting Benjamin K. Runk, a New York lawyer from down town west side for the post of Minister to San Cristobal, and proceed through McConnell to obtain endorsements for him from the labor unions and his congressman. Chapter Bight. Bill Flanders, head of the Longshoremen's Union, opposes Runk's endorsement. McConnell passes it over his head after a fierce fight. Supreme Court, makes a casual remark which Schuyler, from his vantage point of information, recognizes as valuable in the Consolidated dissolution suit. He apprises Norton and Raydon, who make millions in selling stocks short. Chapter Twenty-One. The Leak is further perfected, the net further spread to catch the unwary. 3chuyler's house has become the rendezvous of those interested in literature, art and politics. Few secrets of the government pass him by. Chapter Tzveniy-Tzvo. Norton's spies report to Schuyler that they have shadowed Senator Mason and his mother to a private insane asylum in Baltimore, where they visit an old man who has been confined as an imbecile for thirty years. Chapter Tiventy-Three. Norton orders Schuyler to attend a labor meeting in Pitts- burgh. Advises Gertrude he is going West on business. She goes to New York with her father, and in the Calumet Bank sees Norton and overhears conversation concerning him. Later she sees Schuyler, who has come on from Pittsburgh, rid- ing with Norton. This gives her a clue to Schuyler's identity and activities in Washington. Chapter Twenty-Four. The Inauguration of March 4th, 1913 and the new party is in complete control in the executive and legislative branches of the Government. Chapter Twenty-Five. Turner clashes with Schuyler. Mrs. Mason tells Schuyler that Gertrude Benton loves him. He goes to her, but she refuses his hand, but acknowledges he has her heart. He cannot un- derstand, never suspecting her knowledge of his occupation. Chapter Twenty-Six. Turner reports clash with Schuyler to Norton and the Calumet Bank, Schuyler is reminded that Turner is part of the system. Mason confides to Schuyler that the President objects to the appointment of Runk unless he will personally vouch for him, which he will do if Schuyler will vouch to Mason. The latter has struggles between his esteem for Mason and his suc- cess. The latter wins, however, and he vouches for Runk to Mason, whose appointment is promised. Chapter Twenty-Seven. Norton learns through Turner's familiarity with the past history of the Mason family, and the spies sent by him to the insane asylum that the old man is the imbecile father of the Sena- tor. Schuyler is so advised, and a flood of sympathy over- whelms him as he contemplates the years of anguish that the wife and son have suffered. His hatred for Turner and his esteem for Mason increase in proportion. He goes to Benning- ton with Lawson, who marries Grace, daughter of Malcolm Tur- ner. Chapter Twenty- Bight. Malcolm Turner plays the market, loses, seeks loan from the Calumet Bank, is declined by Whiting, its President. Through the instigation of Norton, who has troubles of his own and wishes to play safe. Turner goes to Pearson, the rival of the Raydon interests for help. He offers to have their man Andrews appointed as minister to San Cristobal, and they prom- ise financial aid upon his delivery of the appointment. Nor- ton is a partner with Turner in this arrangement, and will win whether Runk or Andrews is appointed. Chapter Twenty-Nine. Schuyler remains in Bennington, and visits Dave and Vlney Claiborne, two old negroes, family servants of his grandfather, whom he has accidentally met the previous Fall on a hunt w'th Lawson. He hears the story of his family that Malcolm Tur- ner was the cause of the strife between his and Mason's fathers, resulting in the tragedy. He finds the Claiborne Family Bible, and record. He learns that Senator Mason's mother had suc- cored the grandfather in his infirmities and had been the Qai- bornes' best friend. Chapter Thirty. The old servants recognize Schuyler from his likeness to Chapter Nine Schuyler in Bennington makes good, ingratiating himself into the good will of Senator Mason ; at the same time falling in love with Gertrude Benton. He finds himself coming to ad- mire Mason, whom he wished to hate as the enemy of his family. Chapter Ten. Bob Lawson, Secretary to Mason, and who will be Chief Clerk of the Foreign Relations Committee, entertains Schuyler with a quail hunt. Schuyler makes a friend. After a week's delightful visit, he returns to Washington. Chapter Eleven. Schuyler is met in Washington by Quinley, whom Norton has provided as his secretary and who has leased, in Schuyler's name, a house on Sixteenth Street. A private telephone line is installed between this and Norton's house in New York. Chapter Twelve. Mrs. John Schuyler receives an early call from her son, whom she suspects, from his letters, is weakening in his spirit of revenge through the warmth of Southern cordiality. She endeavors again to instill the virus of hate against the Masons. Chapter Thirteen. Norton is angered by the breaking of the private wire during a conversation with Forbey, reciting the shooting of Linton, one of Norton's men, by a Madame Verdes, an adventuress. He and Schuyler, who has come into New York, clash, but not seriously. Schuyler finds himself unconsciously defending Ma- son against the machinations of Turner and Norton. Chapter Fourteen. Gertrude Benton, returns to her home in Washington. The Masons, also return for the short session of Congress. They are met by Schuyler. Both families accept him as an intimate friend. Mason introduces him to other senators, and the wid- ening of his acquaintanceship begins. He finds Norton has tapped his local telephone wire, and: his Secretary, Quinley, and his chaufifeur, Varrelli, are paid spies^ Chapter Fifteen. Congress convenes. Schuyler and Gertrude hear Mason's speech against special interests. Schuyler proceeds to apply through his friends for membership in the various clubs in Wash- ington, and establishes himself as a wealthy student of sociologi- cal and economic reform. Chapter Sixteen. Returning home from a drive with Gertrude Benton, Schuy- ler finds Madame Verdes, who shot Linton, leaving his house. He has Ralph, the butler, shadow her. Runk pays visit. Also Norton, with Whichard, President of the bank which is the Washington correspondent of the Calumet. Forbey, Quinley, Schuyler and Norton confer at midnight and the organization of the Leak is perfected. Chapter Seventeen. In order to strengthen Schuyler with Mason, Turner is or- dered by the Calumet to call immediately upon the Senator for the payment of a loan of $25,000.00 „ which Turner holds on Mason Manor. Mason is unable to raise the money, and confers with his wife on his predicament. Chapter Eighteen. Senator Mason, in the embarrassment of debt, asks Lawson, his secretary, to endeavor to find a lender. He consults Schuy- ler, who readily offers to loan the money, which is in accord with Norton's plans. Schuyler is held by the Senator and his wife as their benefactor and dearest friend. Chapter Nineteen. Quinley visits Madame Verdes in her lodging house in the South-East of the city, and bribes her to leave Washington. Chapter Twenty. Schuyler with Gertrude Benton attends the Army and Navy Club dance. Overhears conversation to the effect that she is engaged to Lieutenant-Commander Tappan. Schuyler's manner changes, which mystifies Gertrude, who is in love with him and has rejected Tappan. In a golf game Judge Mallory, of the the picture of his father. His investigation proves their state- ment correct. He writes his mother the truth and determines to cease his machinations against Mason on the side of Turner. Chapter Thirty- One Schuyler meets Norton in Washington. Breaks with him and resigns, as head of the Leak. Latter seeks Turner, and to- gether they hatch a conspiracy against Schuyler and Mason, which is overheard by Turner's daughter, Grace Lawson, who reports to Gertrude Benton. Gertrude, to save the man she loves but will not marry, reports to him. Schuyler confesses all — explains as the reason, the Mason-Claiborne feud. He now realizes the mistake, and that Turner is the enemy. In her love she does not wait, but gives herself to him and enters into the fight to checkmate Norton. Chapter Thirty-Two. Gertrude and Schuyler endeavor to prevent confirmation of Runk, who has already been appointed. The Senate is in ex- ecutive session, and with difficulty they get word to Mason, but only after Runk has been confirmed. However, the Senator hastens back to the Chamber just in time to move for recon- sideration. Later, in the Senator's office, Schuyler reveals his identity as the son of Randolph Claiborne, tells him of the or- ganized Leak, and the machinations to involve him. The Sena- tor's loyalty to his duty surmounts his affection for Schuyler, who disclaims desire for immunity. Mason recognizes the ser- vice in stopping the Leak, and suggests remedy in which Schuyler agrees to aid. Chapter Thirty-Three. Turner's fortune wiped out in the panic, Pearson notifies him all negotiations terminated, which closes the door of hope there. Disconsolate, he seeks Norton, who is conferring with Dennis McConnell. Forbey, through Leak, learns of strange ac- tion of Senate in Runk's confirmation. At Norton's suggestion^ Schuyler comes to his room, invited for the purpose of reconcilia- tion. Instead he accuses Norton and Turner of conspiracy against Mason and himself — of their duplicity to the Raydon in- terests, and declares his determination to assist Senator Mason in stopping the Leak, but eases Norton's mind by assuring him he will not incriminate others. Schuyler accuses Turner of being the cause of the death of his father and worse than death of Mason's father. McConnell espouses the cause of Schuyler, defending him against the attacks of the frenzied man, Turner. Chapter Thirty-Four. Mrs. Ruth Schuyler journeying from New York to Wash- ington notices passenger who boards the train at Baltimore, and sits in opposite seat. This woman is Mrs. Jeannette Mason, the mother of Senator Mason. Each one recognizes in the other someone she has previously known but can not locate. The train is wrecked. Mrs. Schuyler pinioned by a chair, is succored by Mrs. Mason, who is uninjured. While the oncoming flames of the burning cars almost envelop them, each woman recogpnizes in the other the friend of her girlhood, and later her bitter enemy. All hate has now gone however in the presence of death, and Mrs, Schuyler's knowledge of the truth. They are rescued, and Ger- trude, Mason, and Schuyler rushing to the scene find Mrs. Mason ministering to the comforts of Mrs. Schuyler. In Schuyler's au- tomobile, they return to the city, the two women — the mothers — reunited, the sons contented in their mutual affection, Schuyler and Gertrude in the happiness of perfect love. The horizon of the future spreads before them — a pathway to the stars. — Finis. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS uilii iSli'i SSII! I'lSI iiil! !!!! '!'" *"" '"" ""■ "H' "" mi 020 994 502 2 ^