The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-06-04
CHAPTER VI.-ContInued /.

moutn-tncre was the weakness,
there, as usual Evidently. the
strength OF his mind and character
gave him went IN pandering TO phys.
ical appetites. In confirmation OF
this, there was two curious marks on
nina nick In the rim OF his left ear
a souvenir OF bullet or a knife, and
a scar just under the edge OF his
chin to the right. When he com
pressed his lips. this scar, not es-
pecially noticeable at other times.
lifted up into his face. became OF a
sickly. blush white. and transformed
careless, good-humorod cynic into a
man OF danger. n terror,
fns roverfe began. as I gathered
from his unguarded face. In cynical
amusement probably at his triumph
over his friends. II passed on to
stlll more agreeable things-some-
thing In the expression OF the mouth
expressed thoughts OF how he vas 10.
Ing to enjoy himself as he blew In"
his winnings Then his features
shadowed. darkened. and I had my
first view OF the scar terrible. lie
shook his big head and big shout.
ders. reused himself. made ready 10
take a drink. noticed me. and said
Wont you join moi" His look was
most engaging.
| accepted. and We we're soon so.
ciablc. each taking an instructive Tx.
ing TO the other. We talked OF the
business situation. OF the news In
the papers and then Of political AZ.
fairs. Each OF us saw that there he
was at the others keencst interest In
life lie knew the eame-practical
politics as distinguished from the pol.
tiles talked by and 10 the public. But
he eyadcd. without seeming to do 20.
all the ingenious traps laid for
drawing from him some admission
that would give me a clew TO where
he fitted In" learned no more
about him than thought he learned
about me.
4 hope We shall meet again. said
cordially as We parted at the cab
stand.
Thank you" he answered. and aft
erward ] remembered the faint smile
In his eyes.
I. OF course. knew that Roebuct
vas greatly interested In my project
for putting political business on q
business basis. but not until he had
explained Why he sent for me did
see how II had fascinated and alb
sorbed bis mind "You showed me.
he began. that you must have under
you a practical man 10 handle the
money and do the arranging with the
heclers and all that sort u thing
Yes" said I: its = vital part Of
he plan. We must ind a man who
10 perfectly Trustworthy and discreet
Necessarily. he'll know or suspect
lomething-n much. but still some
ihing-of the inside workings Of the
combine"
We'll. I've found him. went on
Roehuek. IN n triumphant tone. "Ho's
goddess person. with no character
10 lose. and no conception Of what
character means hut he's Etrnighl
No a string. Providence seems IA
have provided such men Cor just such
situations as these. where the devil
must be fought with IRE. I've been
testing him for nearly rs years But
you can Judge for yourself"
was the reverse Of pleased u
was not In my calculations a. have
a creature Of Rocbuok's foisicd upon
me. pcrhaps-lndecd. probably spy
I purposcd 20 choose my own man.
and I decided while he was taking
that ! would accept the Rocbuck sc
lection only 10 drop him on some
plausible pTctext before We began or
erationa ! was 10 meet the man nj
dinner Rocbuok had engaged q
suite atthc auditorium II WouidnI
90 10 have him at my house or club
said he: neither do We want 10 b.
seen with him"
Coincidence Is 20 familiar n rart ri
tho daily routine that was not much
surprised when my acquaintance. The
astuto poker player with tho scar
walked In upon us NJ the Auditorium
Rocbuck was both aslonlfhed and
chagrincd when We shook hands and
greeted each other like old friends
How do you do. Nc. sayicr 2" SAID
Woodruff.
Glad 20 see you. DR.. Woodruff"
replied. Then you knew me All N,
timer Why didn't you speak out
We might have had an hours business
talk In the train"
'if Id shown myself as icaky NJ
all that. guess thcrc'd have been nj
business 90 talk about" he replied
Anyhow. didn't know you till yot
took out your watch with the mono
gram on the back. Just az wo wor,
pulling In. Then remembered wher,
I'd seen your face before. was ~
AZ your state house the day that yot
threw old Domlniok down That's
been n good many years ago"
That chance. easy. smoking compart
mont meeting. az which each had stud
led the other dlspassionaiely. wat
most fortunate for rs both.
The relation that was 20 exist be
tween us-morc. much more. thar
that Of mere employer and employe-
made fidelity. personal fidelity. impcr
alive. and accident had laid The
foundation for the mutual attachment
without which there is certain 20 be
sooner or later. suspicion on both
sides. and cause for II.