I am Dan Waterman's man, and I do his bidding."
"But how can you have got into such a position?" asked Montague.
"A friend of mine organised the Trust Company of the Republic. He
asked me to become president, because I had a name that would be
useful to him. I accepted--he was a man I knew I could trust. I
managed the business properly, and it prospered; and then, three
years ago, the control was bought by other men. That was when the
crisis came. I should have resigned. But I had my family to think
of; I had friends who were involved; I had interests that I could
not leave. And I stayed--and that is all. I found that I had stayed
to be a puppet, a figurehead. And now it is too late."
"But can't you withdraw now?" asked Montague.
"Now?" echoed the General. "Now, in the most critical moment, when
all my friends are hanging upon me? There is nothing that my enemies
would like better, for they could lay all their sins at my door.
They would class me with Stewart and Ryder."
"I see," said Montague, in a low voice.
"And now the crisis comes, and I find out who my real master is.
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