The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-02-23

its general air of luxury Mr. Richard
Trundell was a man about so years
Of age, full-blooded and a trife port.
ly. Had he not carried himself so well
and dressed with such care, nothing
could have saved him from being con-
sidered fat His face was typical OF
high living. and the little tell-talc
sacks under his eyes gave him a sleepy
and sometimes heavy look
But those who had seen the gen.
tleman clean-shaven never trusted him
implicitly or traded long on his sleepy
look Without his mustache Mr. Trun-
dell showed a mouth as cruel and hard
as any ever seen in a human face. II
was large mouth with thin lips
drawn tightly across the teeth and cor
ncrs drooping-a sneering, sensual,
animal mouth. which laughter only
made savage and anger brutal. Every
feature of the mans face was in har-
mony with his mouth, but Mr.. Trun-
dcll's lip was seldom shaved.
Croyden, seeing no visitor in the
room, looked inquirinely at his part
ner
Mr.. Trundell settled himself before
the fire with his back to the blaze,
spread his legs apart, and answered
the unspoken question by Jerking his
head toward the private hall Croydon
nodded comprehendingly.
Are we to go into this thing, Dick" ?"
ne asked in low voice.
81 haven't fully worked 1t out yet"
"Well. what stand are we to takc?"
That's just what | wanted 10 talk
! Hith you about. / rather think it's a
better and bigger thing than appears
ut first sight, but there may be hitch
! somewhere. You know the general
| scheme. but draw him out until we
| lave all the particulars. Don't let him
ret oway and don't commit us to any,
thing BY Friday or Saturday I'll
have worked out whether it's good for
little, nothing, or much. think you'd
better go now and come back in about
ten minutes -accidental-like. II
he thinks we've been consulting, he'll
be too close -mouthed."
Trundell rang the bell as his junior
partner left the room. SHOW Mr..
Harlan in" he ordered, as clerk an
swered the summons.
When the visitor appeared at the
door the head Of the firm was busy
writing letters.
How do you do, Mr.. Harlan?" he
exclaimed, without rising from his
seat, and holding out his left hand in
greeting. Sorry to keep you wait
ing, but | had some pressing corre-
spondence on hand and wanted 20
complete 1t, so We wouldn't be inter-
rupted. No, not at all-sit down. I'm
just finishing. Croydon will be here
in moment. Reynolds, look for Mr..
Croydon and tell him Mr.. Harlan is
here Have a cigar, won't you? How
splendidly you're looking! Been on a
vacation?"
"No-too busy for vacations just
now; but work always agrees with
me, and there's no place suits me so
well as this seaside resort"
How do you do, Mr.. Harlan?" said
Croydon coming into the room. well,
how goes the syndicate. anyway"
Il think everything is ready If you
gentlemen are. have all the neces-
sary facts and figures, and the assur-
ance OF cooperation from practically
every important interest involved"
including Kennard?"
mo; but he will come in"
How do you know that?"
Il know it, Mr.. Croydon, because
have never yet failed to put through
any operation once undertaken, and
shall not make an exception In this
instance"
That's all right; but do you know
how important Kennard is?"
Il don't think ! underestimate him."
"But you know, don't you. that the
thing can't go through without him?"
Il certainly do net"
do you mean to say you would at
| tempt it in the face OF his opposition?"
Most assuredly. If for no other rea-
son, as means of obtaining his CO.
operation"
Mr.. Croydon looked toward the win
J dow with a quiet smile.
Il don't believe you know the man
you're dealing with" he answered
after pause. You will pardon me,
Mr.. Harlan, If say that had ! been
engineering this deal | would have
begun with KennaTd and let the others
! follow. He's not accustomed to fol-
lowing"
Mr.. Harlan gazed calmly into the
shrewd face of his young critic, but
there was pleasant smile on his lips
which Offset the dangerous light in his
eyes.
Possibly that would have been
easier, but the same result will be
reached when he does join u.s."
"Yes, but until then there is no use
talking business"
you will not undertake the matter
until Kennard is included. Is that
what you mean?"
1T is certainly a new proposition" "
well. of course. you must decide
for yourselves I would like to have
had you people finance the thing be-
cause you've got the necessary life and
snap. 1t goes without saying, that
Kennard must be with us in the end,
but have to work In my own way.
With me the matter does not have
controlling influence, because know
the combination is such that neither
Kennard nor any other Individual
manufacturer can stop us once 1t is In
motion. However, II you cannot In
dorse the proposition In the present