Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-05


Quite so" Loder glanced back appreci-
| atively. II thought about those things tho
better part OF last night. To begin with I
must study your handwriting. / guarantee
| to get II right. but Il will take a month"
"A month";
Wen. perhaps three weeks. We mustn't
make a mess OF things"
Chficote shifted his position
Three weeks" he repeated Couldn't
you
NO: couldn't" Loder spoke authorf-
tativeiy Il might never want TO puut pen
| to paper. but. on the other hand. / might
have TO sign a check one day. He lau he'd
have you ever thought of that?-that
might have to. or want to, sign checkY'
, No l confess that escaped me-
You risk your fortune that You NAV
keep the place It bought for your Loder
laughed again How do you know that
am not blackguard?" ne added ''Hoy
| do you know that won't clear out one
| day and leave you high and dry? What 10
| to prevent John Chilcote from realizing
forty or fifty thousand pounds and then
making himself scsrce?''
You won't do that Chicote said with
| unusual decision. Il told YOU your weak
ness last night; and 1t wasn't money.
| Money isn't the rock you'll split over"
Then you think I'll split upon some
rock? But that's beyond the question. To
| get to business again. You'll risk my
| studying your signature3"
Chtlcote nodded.
Right. Now item two" Loder counted
| on his fingers. Il must know the names
and faces of your men friends as far as I
| can: Your woman friends don't count.
While I'm you, you will be adamant" He
| laughed again pleasantly But the men
are essential-the backbone OF the whole
| business"
Il have no men friends. don't trust
! the idea OF friendship
"Acquaintances, then"
Chiicote looked UP sharply. IT think
we score there he said. II have a repu-
tation for absent mindedness that Will
HAY tan 7
| look through the most substantial man in
the House as IL he were gossamer, though
l may have lunched with him the same
| day"
| Loder smiled. by Jove" he exclaimed.
rate must have been constructing this
before either of us was born II dovetails
ridiculously But | must know your coll
leagues-even II it's only to cut them
You'll have to take me to the House"
Impossible
Not at all.'' Again the tone of author
lty feli TO Loder. Il can pull my hat ove-
my eyes and turn up my coat collar No.
body will notice me. We can choose the
fan of the afternoon. 1 promise you twill
be all right.
Suppose the likeness should leak out7
It's risk"
Loder laughed confidently "Tush. man!
Risk is the salt of life 1 must see you at
your post, and L must see the men you
work with He rose, walked across the
room. and took his pipe from the rack
When go In for a thing. like to go In
over head and ears he added, as he OPEN
ed his tobacco jar.
His pipe filled, he resumed his seat, rest
ing his elbows on the table in unconscious
imitation OF Chilcote.
Got match?'' he said laconically, hold
ing out his hand.
In response Chilcote drew his matchbox
from his pocket and struck q light. AS
their hands touched, an exclamation es-
capped him.
by Jover he said. with a fretful mix
ture of disappointment and surprise .'I
hadn't noticed thatr' His eyes were fixed
In annoyed interest on Loders extended
hand
Loder. following his glance, smiled. odd
that we should both have overlooked 1t! IL
clean escaped my mind. It's rather an ugly
scar He lifted his hand till the light fell
more fully on it. Above the second Joint Of
the third finger ran a jagged furrow, the
reminder of wound that had once laid
bare the bone.
Chilcote leaned forward How did you
come by it? he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders "Oh,
that's ancient history
The results are present-day enough. It's
very awkward Very annoying Chllcote's
spirits at all times overeasiy played upon,
were dampened by this obstacle
Loder. still looking at his hand. didn't
seem to hear. There's only one thing to
be done" he said. Each wear two rings on
the third finger of the left hand. Two rings
ought to cover It," He made a speculative
measurement with the stem of his pipe.
Chiicote still looked irritable and dis
turbed. II detest rings. 1 never wear rings"
Loder raised his eyes calmly. Neither do
/, he said. But there's no reason for
bigotry."
But Chilcote's irritability was started. He
pushed back his chair. II don't like the
idea" he said.
The other eyed him amusedly. What a
queer beggar you arep' he said. You waive
the danger of signing your checks
and shy at wearing piece of jewelry. I'll
have fair share of individuality to study"
ell Nyar
knows l detest jewelry."
Everybody knows you are capricious. It's
got to be the rings or nothing, SO far as
make out"
Chilcote again altered his position. avoid
ing the others eyes At last. after a strug-
gle with himself. he looked up.
II suppose you're right" he said. "Have
1t your own way" 1t was the first small.
tangible concession to the stronger will.
Loder took his victory quietly. Cool" he
said Then it's all straight sailing?"
Except for the matter of the-the remit
neration." Chilcote hazarded the word I'M
certainly.
There was a faint pause; then Loder
laughed brusquely. My pay?'
The other was embarra ssed. Il didn't
want to put 1t quite like that"
But that was what you thought Why
are YOU never honest-even with yourselfT'
Chilcote drew his chair closer to the ta-
BILE. He did not attend to the others res
mark but his fingers strayed to his waist
coat pocket and fumbled there.
Loder saw the gesture. Look here" he
said you are overtaxng yourself. The af-
fair of pay isn't pressing; Wen shelve it
to another night. You look tired out" :,
Chilcote lifted his eyes with relieved
glance Thanks. I do feel a bit tagged. II
/ may, I'll have that whisky that refused
last night" !
''Why, certainly" Loder rose at once ana
crossed to a cupboard in the wall. In ST.
lence he brought out whisky, glasses and
a siphon of soda water. Say when! he
sad lifting the whisky
Now And I'll have plain water instead
of soda IL it's all the same.
ooh quite" Loder recrossed the ROOM
Instantly his back was turned. Chilcote
drew a couple of tabloids from his pocket
and dropped them into his glass. AS the
other came slowly back he laughed ner-
vously,
Thanks See TO your own drink now:
can manage this" He took the JUG uncere-
moniously. and, carefully guarding his glass
from the light poured in the water with ex-
cited haste
What shall we drink tor he said.
Loder methodlcally mixed his own drink
and lifted the glass. "Oh, 10 the career or
John Chilcoter he answered.
For an instant the other hesitated. There
cap,atbfpp prophefic in the SOun0 or