The Penn's Grove record., 1886-02-06
CIIAPTE III.

we executed a valuable series of orders
for him. He always paid me himself
on the delivery of the goods. The pay
ment was invariably in notes or gold.
Only once did he offer me a check. l
took it, and 1t was honored without
question.
His partner arrived in the course of
ten days or so, and Macfarlane intro
duced me, ~apologizing FIRST for the
want of refinement observable IN him.
"He's a rough diamond, a self-made
man. But he has money and honesty,
and knows his business.
AS had scarcely any transactions
with him personally, | could not object
to his appearance and manners; but L
should have put him down as villain
Of considerable deep dye had not Mac
farlane given him so good a character.
Business became even more brisk
between Macfarlane and our firm. At
the end Of a fortnight the former
showed me a large consignment of
metal which he had just received. He
promised to send it to us next morn
ing. The same day we took for the
second time a check from him. The
reason of his Offering it was that he
had been obliged to pay on the spot for
duties, etc., of the gold. l received II
without u misgiying.
81 wish you'd come and spend a quiet
evening with me and a few Others" he
SAID, as he handed me the check. 81
have been making some arrangements
which l think may open up a new field
for both of us. Will you Gomez"
assented. He gave me an address
"a new one. He warned me that it
was not a swell affair, that the men
should meet were the type of Richard
son.
Having plenty of time on my hands,
l walked to their rendezvous at the
time appointed, but was overtaken by
Macfarlane a few yards from the door.
''I'm rather late" he said. "I've
had a little business to see to. Come
along"
He took my arm, and led the way
Shy a short cut" as he said, to a house
in a street not far from Soho Square.
A latch key gave him admittance to a
passage at the end of which were stairs
up which we clambered,
Brutal hole this is" he explained
''but 1t holds more money than you
would believe. Here we are"
He pushed open a door, and Gshered
me into a large room, almost bare Ol
furniture, and half filed with tobacco
smoke. Macfarlane was greeted with
words from most of the men, ONE Of
whom did not appear to me to be very
well disposed towards HIM.
"You're late," said one, with an
oath.
Eyes, l know" was the answer
"Richardson, you know this gentleman
1 believe; will you introduce him7"
"Why don't you do it yourselfp" was
his reply.
II want to lock at some samples iron
the next Ioom," said Macfarlane. 81
shall be back in half a minute"
He sid out of the loom, leaving me
rather uneasy. The company was al
Unlocking one. Even making allow
ance for the fact that they were miners
perhaps, and self-made men, their APP
pearanee was GnpreposseSsing.
''This IS the gentleman that helps K
distribute" said Richardson TO The
company generally.
II wonder how much sticks to him, ,
said one speaker.
mot so much as to that fellow il
the next ROOM" muttered another
with a glance towards the door out OF
which Macfarlane had departed.
A vague fear fell on me. What die
these strange remarks meanp
~ don't quite understand you," ]
] said to Richardson. "Mr. FarebrotheI