The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-23

nelgnr. nur IN that banning. nlus,se
inner illumination that some call indi-
viduality and others soul.
Something of this idea. misted and
tangled by nervous imagination, cross
ed Chilcote's mind in that moment of
scrutiny. but he shrank from ii appre-
hensively-
IL came to discuss Details he
said quickly, crossing the space that
divided him from his host. shall
we?- Are your He paused I'M
easily.
I'm entirely in your hands" Loder
spoke with abrupt decision. Moving TO
the table. he indicated chair and
drew another forward for himself.
Both men sat down.
Chilcote leaned forward. resting ell
bows on the table. There will be sew
eral things TO consider he began ner-
vously. looking across at the other.
quite So Loder glanced back ap-
preciatively. Il thought about those
things the better part of last night To
begin with. / must study your hand
writing. 1 guarantee to get it right, but
it will take month";
"A month";
Well perhaps three weeks. We
mustn't make mess Of things"
Chilcote shifted his position.
Three weeks he repeated. Couldn't
yout"-
NO, I couldn't" Loder spoke au-
thoritatively. Il might never want TO
put pen to paper; but, on the other
hand, / might have to sign a check one
day" He laughed. Have you ever
thought of that-that / might have to,
or want to. sign check? p
NO. l confess that escaped me-"
You risk your fortune that you may
keep the place it bought for you"
Loder laughed again. How do you
know that 1 am not a blackguard?" he
added. How do you know that l
won't clear out one day and leave you
high and dry? What is to prevent John
Chilcote from realizing 100000 or ESQ.,
600 and then making himself scarce"
You won't do that Chilcote said,
with unusual decision. II told you
your weakness last night, and it 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 signature?'
Chilcote nodded.
Fright! Now item two" Loder
counted on his fingers. 4 must know
the names and faces of your men
friends as far as l 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. l don't trust
the idea of friendship"
"Acquaintances, then"
Chilcote looked up sharply. II think
we score there" he said. II have
reputation for observation-disclosures that
will carry you anywhere. They tell me
/ can look through the most substan-
tial man in the house as if he were gos-
though 1 may have lunched with
him the same day.
Loder smiled. 'sBy Joye. he ex-
claimed. Fate must have been con-
structing this before either of us was
born. 1t dovetails ridiculously. But I
must know your colleagues, even if it's
only to cut them. You'll have to take
me TO the house"
'Impossible!'
'.Not at alle' Again the tone Of au-
thority fell to Loder. II can pull my
coat collar. Nobody will notice me. |
We can choose the fall of the after
noon. 1 promise you twill be all |
right
Suppose the likeness should leak |
out? It's a risk"
Loder laughed confidently. "Tush, |
man, Risk is the salt of life. l 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 l go in |
for a t.ing I like to go in over head |
and ears" he added as he opened his
tobacco jar.
His pipe filed, he resumed his seat, |
resting his elbows on the table in I'M
conscious imitation of Chilcote.
"Got a match?'' he said laconically. |
holding out his hand.
In response Chilcote drew his match
box from his pocket and struck a light. |
As their hands touched an exclama-
ion escaped him.
by Jove"' he said, with a fretful
mixture of disappointment and sur
Prise II hadn't noticed THAR His
eyes were fixed in annoyed interest ON
Loder's extended hand
Loder, following his glance, smiled.
odd that we should both have over
ooked it, It clean escaped my mind.
It's rather an ugly scar" He lifted
MS hand till the light fell more fully
N 1t. Above the second joint of the
bird finger ran a jagged furrow, the
reminder of a wound that had once
aid bare the bone.
Chilcote leaned forward. How did
-ou come by it," he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders
ooh, that's ancient history"
The results are present day enough.
is very awkward, very annoying.
Loder, still looking at his hand, didn't
eem to hear. There's only one thing
o be DONE" he said. Each wear two
1ze< /