The Washington herald., 1907-12-15

4
why. what makes you say that? More
jealousy?'
oh" cried Grinding. tortured in his
conscience OF a man Of all since save
those of l. S. D-'he does not owe you
anything-the purchase money? He has
paid IL TO you-oh. say he has paid it,
Jacob Romer leaned heavier on his
stick He put his feet wider apart so as
20 stand firmer on the earth. He felt
the need. When he spoke it was in a
changed voice and there was a stupid
| toppling feeling in his head.
No he said; ''nO-he has not yet paid
me-but that is nothing. IT Is a large
and difficult matter. 1t takes time to ar
range. I trust him,'
You have trusted him too long. Mr.
Romer." grOaned Grinding "Oh. you
J may be angry with me. AS an ofice-boy
I began with your uncle. and whatever
have done and been. no man can say
that l ever defrauded Incubus, Romer &
Co. of single copper"
Il know-f know. Grinding said Mr.
Romer; but what is this nonsense about
/ kahn?"
Grinding told hinl-the swift prepara-
ton. the hurried hardly touched meal
the many-pOcketed motor-coat. and the
open safe Then il was time for the mas
ter Of millions TO pull himself together
also.
This much is true" he said. firmly:
Mr.. Kahn was to meet me and my law
yer. Mr.. Rivers, yesterday afternoon in
the Kirktown Bank to make over 10 us
the purchase money and the founder S
shares"
''The shares. too" cried Grinding; he
has sold them with the others! You are
out Of Incubus & CO.-oh the villain
that ever l should live TO see the dayi
And your private Investments"
He spoke now like a crOss-exanninlng
advocate getting at the facts.
They have been in Mr.. Kahns hands
Tor many yearsw
oh, Mr.. RomerP' cried Grinding, con-
torting himself in agony: and after
what we all thought Of yOui''
Mr.. ROmer. pale 10 the lips, but stu
quiet and resolute. was searching his
pockets
should have a letter somewhere" he
said; 'one that was brought TO the bank
by messenger while we waited. II ex-
planned Mr.. Rahn's failure to come-as
1t seemed TO us. most satisfactorily"
lie found the crumpled piece of paper.
smoothed II out and read in the hearing
Of his acting superintendent-for Phil
Calmont had discreetly betaken himself
20 a distance:
The Caravanserai. Thursday. 800 D. m.
My Dear Friend and Honored PAT
ron C'Humph.' said Grinding, who al
ways addressed his lord as i"slr"D: I
have been seized with a painful sick
ness. palpitation OF the heart. which
makes it impossible for me 10 be at the
bank to-day. as promised I am well
accustomed 10 this disabling. but hap
ply quite temporary, illness. I have iust
taken the remedy Now I shall go to
bed, and twelve hours sleep will make
me a new man again. l shall be ar The
bank with all money and papers al the
same hour tomorrow. Or il 1 am still
somewhat suffering, would il be too
much % ask you and Mr.. Rivers 10 drive
up 10 my house? I expect, however. 10 be
all right long before that time. have
succeeded in everything you have com
mitted 20 my care. far beyond my ex-
pectatiOns-Or yours
'ReSretting the unavoidable trouble
am giving. I am. dear and honored sir.
very faithfully your Obliged servant.
JAMES KAHN
ITO Jacob CORN Romer. Esqr."
Well, sir" said Walter Grinding.
grimly, when that letter was dated
James Kahn was a good TWO hours on
no way with the booty DO YOU know.
sir. who brought the letter."
Mr Romer had put his hand 20 his
head. He seemed 10 be suffering there.
AT any rate he was not attending. for
Grinding had 70 repeat the question
more than once.
"Casimir, ! believe" he said. Yes. I
think I saw Mr.. Casimer at the bank"
Well. he also has taken his hook. He
followed his master"
The old man sat down rather heavily
on the pine trunk. the same which Vida
could see from her window through
BuIys spyglass. He was still holding
his head and muttering No one spoke
70 him for full five minutes. Then up
through the scattering light and shade OF
the birches on the slopes came a small
fitting figure. Certain bright specks
danced as he ran-a beg in buttons. and
making more haste than such usually
90. lie came close TO where Mr. GrindlinR
stood and Mr.. Romer sat on the log.
Please. sir, he began, as Mr. Romer
raised has head 70 look at him Please
sir. I'm Gregson's boy-young GreEson-
Tried the safe door. II opened as easy
as anything. There wasn't anytbine IN
it-eNcept Just this. ] think Mr.. Kahn
took the rest
ne hdnded the old man a strip OF pa
per shaped Ike a check.
Il was the birth certificate Of one Vida
Komer, the daughter Of Jacob Romer and
Caroline French or ROmer. his wife
The old man dropped as II feIled. the
paper still gripped in his fingers. while
Grinding. marvelng greatly. stood and
regarded him. 1t struck him for the first
ume IN his life that there was something
IN what coroners' juries called the visi-
tatiOn OF God -