of his merchant fleet? Personal assets, one hundred and fifty million… And
lastly, our neighbors to the north, Sweden. Herr Myrdal and Herr Olaffsen.
Understandably’~here Elizabeth looked pointedly at the strange-faced man,
her son, at the head of the table—“one of these gentlemen, Herr Myrdal,
has controlling interest in Donnenfeld, the most impressive firm on the
Stockholm exchange. While Herr Olaffsens many companies merely control the
export of Swedish iron and steel. Personal assets are calculated at one
hundred and twenty-five million… Incidentally, gentlemen, the term
personal assets denotes those holdings which can be converted easily,
quickly, and without endangering Yom markets. .* . . Otherwise, I would not
insiult you by placing such meager limits on your fortunes.99
Elizabeth paused to plum her briefcase directly in front of her. The-men
around the table were aroused, apprehensive. Several were shocked at the
casual mention of what they beheved was highly confidential information.
The Americans, Gibson and I.Andor, had quietly owe into the Canadian
venture unannounced, without legal unction, violating the U.S.-Canadian
treafte& The Ger.
323
mans, von Schnitzler and Kindorf, had held secret conferences with Gustave
Krupp-who was fighting desperately to remain neutral for fear of a Weimar
takeover. If these conferences were made known, Krupp had sworn to expose
them. The Frenchman, Louis Frangois DAlmeida, guarded with his very life the
extent of his ownership of the Franco-Italian rails. If it were known, it
might well be confiscated by the republic. He had purchased the majority
shares from the Italian government through plain bribery.
And MyrdaI, the heavyset Swede, bulged his eyes in disbelief when Elizabeth
Scarlatti spoke so knowingly about the Stockholm exchange. His own company
had covertly absorbed Donnenfeld in one of the most complicated mergers
imaginable, made possible by -the illegal transaction of the American
securities. If it became public knowledge, the Swedish law would step in,
and he’d be ruined. Only the Englishmen seemed totally poised, totally
proud of their achievements. But even this measure of equanimity was
misleading. For Sydney Masterson, undisputed heir to the merchant domain of
Sir Robert Clive, had only recently concluded the Ceylon arrangements, They
were unknown in the import-export world and there were certain agreements
subject to question. Some might even say they constituted fraud.
Huddled, quiet-toned conferences took place around the table in the four
languages. Elizabeth raised her voice sufficiently to be heard.
“I gather some of you are conferring with Your aides -1 assume they are
your aides. If I’d realized this meeting made provisions for seoond-level
negotiators, I’d have brought along my attorneys. They could have gossiped
among themselves while we continue. The decisions we reach tonight,
gentlemen, must be our ownl”
Hemnch Kioeger sat on the edge of his chair He spoke harshly, unpleasantly.
“I wouldn’t be so-sure of any decisions. There are none to be madel You’ve
told us nothing which couldn’t be learned by any major accounting firml-
A number of the men around the table–4pecificallY the two Germans,
D’Almekla, Gibson, Landor, Myrdal, and masterson-avoided looking at him.
For Kroeger was wrong.
‘-fou think so? Perhaps. But then rve overlooked You.
324
haven’t I? … I shouldn’t do that, you’re obviously terribly important.”
Again, a number of the men around the tablc-~Iuding those mentioned-had tram
of miles on their lips.
“Your wit is as dull as you are.” Elizabeth was pleased with herself. She
was succeeding in this most unportant aspect of her appearance. She was
reaching, provoking Ulster Stewart Scarlett. She’continued without acknowl-
edging his remark.
“Sa-angely obtained assets of two hundred and seventy million gold under
the most questionable circumstances would necessitate a loss of at least
fifty percent, possibly sixty percent of market value. ru grant you the
least, so I shall hazard an estimate of one hundred and thirty-five
million’dollars at the current rates of exchange. One hundred and eight, ff
you’ve been weak.”
Matthew Canfield lurched from the wall, then held his place.
The men around the table were astonished. The hum of voices increased
perceptibly Aides were shaking their heads, nodding in agreement, raising
their eyebrows unable to answer Each participant thought he knew something
of the others. Obviously, none were this knowledgeable of Heinrich Kroeger.
They had not even been sure of his status at this table. Elizabeth
interrupted the commotion.
“However, Mister Kroeger, surely you know that theft, when eminently
provable, is merely subject to proper iden6fication before steps can be
taken. There are international courts of extradition. Therefore, it is
conceivable that your assets might be calculated at … zerol”
A silence fell over the table as the gentlemen, along with their
assistants, gave Heinrich Kroeger their full attention. The words theft,
courts, and extradition were words they could not accept at this table.
They were dangerous words. Kroeger, the man many of them vaguely feared for
reasons solely associated with his enormous influence wrthm. both camps,
was now warned.
“Doift threaten me, old woman.” Kroegees voice was low, confident He sat
back in his chair and glared at his mother at the opposite end of the long
table. “Don% make charges unless you can substantiate them. If you’re
prepared to attempt that, rin ready to counter. . . . If you or your
colleagues were outnegotiated, this is no
325
place to cry. You won’t get sympathy herel I might even go so far as to say
you’re on treacherous ground. Remember thatl” He kept staring until
Elizabeth could no longer stand the sight of his eyes. She looked away.
She was not prepared to do anything–not with him, not with Heinrich
Kroeger. She would not gamble the lives of her family more than she had
already. She would not wager at this table the name of Scarlatti. Not that
way. Not now. There was another way.
Kroeger had won the point. It was obvious to all, and Elizabeth had to rush
headlong on so that none would dwell upon her loss.
“Keep your assets. They are quite immaterial.”
Around the table the phrase “quite immaterial” when applied to such
millions was impressive. Elizabeth knew it would be.
“Gentlemen. Before we were interrupted, I gave you all, by national
groupings, the personal assets calculated to the nearest five million for
each contingent. I felt it was -more courteous than breaking down each
individual’s specific worth–some things are sacred, after all. However, I
was quite unfair, as several of you know. I alluded to a number of–shall
we say, delicate negotiatigns, I’m sure you believed were inviolate.
Treacherous to you -to use Mr. Kroeger’s words–if they were known within
your own countries.”
Seven of the Zurich twelve were silent. Five were curiOus.
“I refer to my cocitizens, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Landor. To Monsieur
D’Almeida, Sydney Masterson, and of course, to the brilliant Herr Myrdal.
I should also include twothirds of Germany’s investors-Herr von Schnitzler
and Herr Kindorf, but for different reasons, as I’m sure they realize.11
No one spoke, No one turned to his aides. All eyes were upon Elizabeth.
“I don’t intend to remain unfair in this fashion, gentlemen. I have
something for each of you.”
A voice other than Kroeger’s spoke up. It was the Englishman, Sydney
Masterson.
“May I ask the point of all this? All this … incidental intelligence? I’m
sure you’ve been most industrioushighly accurate, too, speaking for myself.
But none of us
326
ere ~ve entered the race for a Jesus medal. Surely, yoL now that.”
“I do, indeed. If it were otherwise, I wouldn’t be here tonight.”
“Then why? Why this?” The accent was German. The voice belonged to the
blustering baron of the Ruhr Valley, Kiadorf.
Masterson continued. “Your cablegram, madame-we all received the
same–specifically alluded to areas of mutual interest. I believe you went
so far as to say the Scarlatti assets might be at our joint disposal. Most
generous,indeed… But now I must agree with Mr. Kroe,ger. You sound as
though you’re threatening us, and I’m not at all sure I like it.”
“Oh, come, Mr. Mastersonl You’ve never held out promises of English gold to
half the minor potentates in the backwaters of India? Herr Kindorf has not
openly bribed his unions to strike with pledges of increased wages once the
French are out of the Ruhr? Please! You insult all of ust Of course, I’m
here to threaten youl And I can assure you, you’ll like it less as I go
onl”
Masterson rose from the table. Several others moved their chairs. The air
was hostile. “I shall not listen further,” said Masterson.
“Then tomorrow at noon the Foreign Office, the British Stock Exchange, and
the board of directors of the English Importers Collective will receive
detailed specifics of your highly illegal agreements in Ceylonl Your com-
mitments are enormoust The news might just initiate a considerable run on
your holdings[”
Masterson stood by his chair. “Be damned!” were the only words he uttered
as he returned to his chair. The table -once again fell silent. Elizabeth
opened her briefcase.
“I have here an envelope for each -of you. Your names are typed on the