Сердца трёх / Hearts of three

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Events happened very rapidly with Francis Morgan,[1] inheritor of many millions, that late spring morning.

“Parker,[2]” he said to the valet who had been his father’s before him. “Parker, I’m going fishing.”

“Yes, sir!”

“I ordered some rods. Please joint them. Two weeks in the woods is what I need. You remember Sir Henry?[3] The old Sir Henry, the buccaneer?”

“Yes, sir; I’ve read of him, sir.”

Parker had paused in the doorway.

“Nothing to be proud of, the old pirate.”

“Oh, no, sir,” Parker protested. “He was Governor of Jamaica.[4] He was a respectable man.”

“Hm, we Morgans never found his treasure.”

A telephone buzzed. “One moment, sir,” said Parker. “It’s Mr. Bascom,[5] sir.”

Francis went to the phone.

“Hello, yes, this is I, Morgan. What is it?… To sell? Nothing of the sort… Of course, I’m glad to know. Nonsense. If it goes down five points,[6] buy. Buy all that’s offered. Sure… yes. Good-bye.”

And while Francis returned delightedly to his arm-chair, Thomas Regan[7] in his down-town private office arranged his various brokers to buy. Suddenly a clerk told him about a foreign visitor. Regan listened, glanced at the card, and said:

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