“Good reasons at that,” asserted Tressler.
“Yes,” admitted Zorman, “but events proved differently. Shortly after I had tested the new models, Dustin Cruett arrived in South Shoreview. He came to me for a confidential interview. In our talk, he stressed certain important facts.
“Cruett told me that he represented Maurice Bewkel. He said that Bewkel was ready to exercise an option; to buy shares valued at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The proviso was the future possibilities of the wave motors.
“I suddenly observed a plot. I saw a reason for Perry Harton’s delay. If the new motor were kept secret, Bewkel would forego his option. The funds that we required would not be available.”
“Quite obvious,” agreed Tressler.
“That is why I gave Dustin Cruett specific information,” resumed Bigelow Zorman. “I suspected that Perry Harton had gone crooked; but I gave no inkling of such knowledge. I decided that if Maurice Bewkel could be induced to exercise his option, others would do the same. With Bewkel’s funds injected as a starter, we could begin work on the improved motors.”
“An excellent idea, Mr. Zorman.”
“Yesterday,” announced Zorman, in an awed tone, “I saw a newspaper report of Maurice Bewkel’s death. I realized that his sudden demise had ended his option. I suspected foul play — murder, when all else had failed!
“I said nothing of my suspicions. Instead, I realized that drastic action must be taken. I decided that I would privately visit the other option holders and convince them of the practicability of the new wave motor. Also” — Zorman’s tone was solemn — “I knew that I must warn them of impending danger.”
FELIX TRESSLER frowned. This talk of death seemed to disturb him. Bigelow Zorman observed the millionaire’s troubled expression.
“I left South Shoreview,” informed Zorman, “and I brought a model of the new wave motor with me. It is in that box, which I ordered delivered here when I called you this afternoon.”
Again Tressler nodded.
“It was my desire,” added Zorman, “to have Channing Rightwood, the third option holder, meet with us. Unfortunately, Rightwood is in Chicago. I wired him and received a reply. He is coming to New York.”
“You arranged for an interview?”
“More than that. In my wire I stated that the option must be exercised at all costs. From Rightwood’s reply, I am satisfied that he will take my advice.”
Felix Tressler nodded slowly as Bigelow Zorman paused. The corporation president leaned forward and made his next statement with added emphasis.
“Rightwood’s option precedes yours,” he declared. “Tonight, however, I shall convince you that, like Rightwood, you must exercise your option. This tank, with its model wave motor, is all that I need for my demonstration.”
“You mean—”
“That the new model will show its merits. But before I open the box, I would like to test the old one which is now installed.”
“Proceed,” agreed Tressler.
Bigelow Zorman arose. He went to the electric motor at the end of the tank. He threw the switch. A buzz sounded; the water in the tank began to churn and swell. Back and forth, lengthwise in the tank, the water rose and fell in waves.
Each forward action of the artificial waves brought a response from the paddle-wheeled device in the center of the tank. The blades moved slowly, creating power as they turned. At the far end of the tank, a row of bulbs were stationed beside an indicator.
Zorman walked in that direction. He pressed a switch. The first bulb lighted; then the second. That was all. The pointer on the indicator moved slightly past the number twenty. Bigelow Zorman turned to Felix Tressler.
“That represents the maximum efficiency of the old-style motor,” he declared. “It tests exactly like those at the plant in South Shoreview.”
“I have tested it,” acquiesced Tressler. “Twenty is insufficient. What can the improved motor do?”
Zorman smiled. He went back and turned off the electricity. He drew a key from his pocket and opened a padlock on the box that stood beside the tank. Straining, he lifted out another motor, different from the one in the tank.
While Tressler watched, Zorman stooped above the tank and removed the old-style motor from the fastenings which held it. He inserted the new device; then turned on the electricity. Churning commenced; then regular waves.
“Look!”
Zorman’s tone was triumphant. Lights began to appear, one by one, until the row of ten was illuminated. The pointer on the dial moved up to the maximum of one hundred. Felix Tressler, keen with interest, leaned forward to watch the operation of the new wave motor.
UNLIKE the first machine, the new one showed no visible blades. Instead, it consisted of a solid cylinder that moved up and down with the regularity of a piston.
“The old idea,” explained Zorman, “was to create power by having the waves turn blades, very much as a water current revolves a paddle wheel. That system was inefficient, because the motion of a swell is vertical, not horizontal.
“That moving cylinder is a floating buoy. It is lifted by each rise of the waves; it is lowered by each fall. The buoy is double geared to hidden blades beneath. The vertical motion revolves the blades.”
“It is very remarkable!” exclaimed Tressler.
“Yet simple,” rejoined Zorman, “and highly efficient. The dream has been realized. The mighty power of the ocean, harnessed to produce electricity.
“A rising swell can raise up a huge ship weighing thousands of tons; it can lower the same vessel with absolute ease. Think of the tremendous energy expended in such action. We have applied that energy to the wave motor.”
“Marvelous,” agreed Tressler.
Zorman resumed his chair. Watching the operation of the model motor, he spoke in serious tone.
“Our corporation,” he declared, “was formed as a speculative venture. It could never have succeeded with the original motor that we were trying to produce. That, I believe, was foreseen by the active members of our plant organization.
“Certain persons sought to turn the scheme into a swindle; to pad expenditures; to bleed the corporation of its funds. Others tried to develop an improved motor. Both succeeded.
“When the corporation reached the limit of its financial resources, the new motor became a possibility. What looked like an excellent project to dupe unwary investors suddenly became a tremendous means of making millions of dollars.
“A few months ago, these options held by yourself, Bewkel, and Rightwood were valueless. Had any of you put up new funds, you would have lost them. As it now stands, the exertion of those options can bring millions of dollars to the fortunate investors.”
“Wonderful!” ejaculated Tressler, with enthusiasm. “You are to be commended, Mr. Zorman. This will make your fortune, as well as ours. As president of Electro Oceanic, you will share in the huge profits.
“When Maurice Bewkel came to see me, I advised him to forget Electro Oceanic. That was because I had not seen this new model of the wave motor. It is terrible that Bewkel should have died with fortune in his grasp!”
“His option,” remarked Zorman, “is ended. You and Rightwood, however, hold preference in purchase of the new stock issue. That is another reason why I have come to confer with you.”
“Ah! You have a new suggestion?”
“Yes. Namely, that I advise you and Mr. Rightwood to purchase the stock that would have gone to Mr. Bewkel. That means seventy-five thousand dollars apiece, in addition to your one hundred and fifty thousand.”
“An excellent idea. I, for one, shall follow it.”
BIGELOW ZORMAN smiled in elation as he heard Felix Tressler’s decision. Rising, he extended his hand. Tressler arose to receive it.