It resumed, that night, in Flint's luxurious study at "Idle Hour," his superb estate on the Palisades.

Waldron paid only a perfunctory court to Catherine, who manifested her pleasure by studied indifference.

Both magnates felt relieved when she withdrew.
They had other and larger matters under way than any dealing with the amenities of life.
Until past midnight the session in the study lasted, under the soft glow of the Billionaire's reading-light.

And many choice cigars were smoked, many sheets of paper covered with diagrams and calculations, many vast schemes of conquest expanded, ere the two masters said good-night and separated.
At the very hour of Waldron's leave-taking, another man was pondering deeply, studying the problem from quite another angle, and--no less earnestly, than the two magnates--laying careful plans.
This man, sturdy, well-built and keen, smoked an old briar as he worked.

A flannel shirt, open at the throat, showed a well-sinewed neck and powerful chest.