completed
a very pretty little deal for my firm, for the copper on analysis bore
out the legend which had been current for many decades, to the effect
that the gold in these roofs would mint into bushels of ducats.
Thus ended, but for one incident which I will mention later, my first holiday, a busman's holiday.
For
two more years did I remain with the metal merchants, during which
time I saw much that gave me furiously to think. Being in such a big
way of business, it followed that we were on the supplies list of every
Government and municipal department. Not a day passed but some public
body had requirements big or small which the firm was asked to fill.
The smaller dealers could not hope to compete with us, for apart from
all else we were too adept at greasing the itching palms of the
officials in any sort of authority to allow anyone else a look in.
Anyone, that is, beyond the select ring of firms which arranged prices.
When the Kaiserl. und Königl. Kriegs oder Marine Ministerium (Imperial
and Royal War Office or Admiralty) invited sealed tenders by a fixed
date, the heads of the invited firms met in secret conclave and not
only fixed the prices the Government would have to pay, but also
apportioned to each supplying firm its share of the plunder. Not
content with this, some firms out-rogued the others. Righteously
refusing to enter the ring, they would send in their tenders in proper
form, but leave blanks for the price, to be filled in later by the
accommodating presiding official after he had opened all the other
tenders in the presence of the members of the supplies commission.
