The Key

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“HALF a million dollars!”

The speaker, a bluff-faced man with angry eyes, brought his fist upon the table with an emphatic stroke. The action brought solemn looks from the others gathered in the conference room. Silence followed.

“A paltry half million!” With this surprising modification of his first statement, the bluff-faced man arose to tower above his companions at the table. “Upon that sum depends the success of our entire enterprise. Mind you, gentlemen, investments of more than fifty millions are at stake unless we can acquire that money!”

New silence. Perplexed, troubled looks appeared upon the faces of the executives who were gathered at the table. The bluff-faced man studied his companions. He noted that certain latecomers to the conference were looking for an explanation. He gave it.

“Let me repeat the situation,” declared the speaker. “I, Charles Curshing, am president of the Dilgin Refining Corporation. Our company and its subsidiaries are engaged in destructive competition with the Crux Oil Company. If this fight keeps on, one concern is bound to fail; and the finish of the conflict will inevitably draw the other into bankruptcy with it.

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