The cruel injury and loss preparing for thousands
of innocent persons through the self-interested plotting of a few men,
was almost incalculable,--and his blood burned with passionate
indignation as he realized on what a verge of misery, bloodshed,
disaster and crime the unthinking people of the country stood, pushed
to the very edge of a fall by the shameless and unscrupulous designs of
a few financiers, playing their gambling game with the public
confidence,--and cheating nations as callously as they would have
cheated their partners at cards.
"Thank God, it is not too late!" he murmured; "Not quite too late to
save the situation!--to rescue the people from long years of undeserved
taxation, loss of trade and general distress! It is a supreme task that
has been given me to accomplish!--but if there is any truth and right
in the laws of the Universe, I shall surely not be misjudged while
accomplishing it!"
He quickened his pace;--and to avoid going up one of the longer
thoroughfares which led to the citadel and palace, he decided to cross
one of the many picturesque bridges, arched over certain inlets from
the sea, and forming canals, where barges and other vessels might be
towed up to the very doors of the warehouses which received their
cargoes. But just as he was about to turn in the necessary direction,
he halted abruptly at sight of two men, standing at the first corner in
the way of his advance, talking earnestly.
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