The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-02-01

ChIIcoFe from realizing f4O.OOO or to-
900 and then making himself scarceF
You won't do that. Chileote said.
with unusual decision Il told You
your weakness last night and il wasn't
money. Money isn't the rock yOu'n
split over.
Then you think III split upon some
rock? Eut 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. Il must know
the names and faces Of your men
friends as far as / can. Your woman
friends don't count While I'm you.
Won will be adamant." He laughed
again pleasantly. .'But the men are
essentlal-the backbone OF the whole
business
II have no men friends. don't trust
the idea OF friendship"
Acquaintance. then"
Chilcote looked mp sharply. Il think
we score there" he said. Il have a
reputation for observation-disclosures that
viii carry you anywhere. They tell me
I can look through the most substan-
tial man in the house as II he were Cos
samer. though may have lunched with
him the same Day
Loder smiled. by Jove!' he ex-
claimed. Fate must have been con-
structing this before either of us was
born. 1t dovetails ridiculously. But
must know your colleagues, even II it's
only to cut them. You'll have TO take
me to the house"
"Impossible!
"Eot at air. Again the tone OF au-
thority fell to Loder, II can pull my
hat over my eyes and turn up my
coat collar Nobody will notice me.
We can choose the fall of the after
noon. promise you twill be all
right"
Suppose the likeness should leak
out? It's risk.
Loder laughed confidently. "Tush,
mani Risk is the salt of life. / must
see you at your post and must see
the men you work with" He rose.
walked across the room and took his
nine from the rack when | go IN
for teing / 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 light
AS their hands touched an exclama-
ton escaped him.
by Jove!" he said, with fretfui
mixture of disappointment ana sur
prise. II hadn't noticed that" His
eyes were fixed in annoyed interest on
Loders extended hand.
Loder, following his glance smiled
"Odd that we should both have over
looked it! 1t 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 Il Jagged furrow. the
reminder. of wound that had once
laid bare the bone.
Chilcote leaned forward. How ola
you come by It'll" he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders
'+Oh. that's ancient history"
1.-THE results are present day enough
It's very awkward, very annoying!
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 speculative measurement
with the stem of his pipe.
Chilcote looked irritable and disturb
ed. Il detest rings. | never wear
rings"
Loder raised his eyes calmly. Mel
ther do l." he said, but tacre's no rea-
son for bigotry."
But Chilcote's irritability was start
ed. He pushed back his chair Il don't
like the idea" he said
The other eyed him amusedly What
n queer beggar you areE' he said. You
waive the danger of man signing
your checks and shy at wearing piece
of iewelry. I'll have fair share Of In
dividuality to study"
Chilcote moved restlessly Every
body knows l detest jeweiy."
Everybody knows you are CAPRI
cious. It's got to be the rings or notn-
ing. so far as l make out.