Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-16
CHAPTER y.

the temptation.
Like al other experiments. his show
sd unlocked for features when put to
working test. Its expected difficulties
Emoothed themselves away. while others
scarcely anticipated. came into promi-
hence. Most notable or all. the physical
likeness between himself and Chilcote,
the bedrock OF the whole scheme. which
had been counted on 70 offer most dan
ger. worked without hitch. He stood
literally amazed before the sweeping
credulity that met him on every hand.
Men who had known Chiic0te from his
youth. servants who had been in bis
employment FOR years Joined issue I'm
the unQuestiOning acceptance. At times
the ease Of deception bewilderCd him.
There were moments when he realized
that. should circumstances force him to
declaration OF the truth. he would
not be believed. Human nature pre-
fers its own eyesight 20 the testimony
or any man.
But In face Of this astonishing sue
cess he steered a steady course. In the
first exhilaration OF Fraide's favor. IN
the first cgotistical wish TO break down
Ewes skcpucism. he might possibly
have plunged into vortex OF action
let Il be in what direction il might;
but. fortunately for himself, for Chill
cote and for their scheme. he was liable
90 strenuous second thoughts-those
wise and necessary curbs that go fur
Their 20 the steadying OF the universe
than the universe guesses. Sitting IN
q -. "a. II.
that he had spoken with Eve on the
terrace he had weighed possibilities
slowly and cautiously. Impressed 20
the full 10y the atmosphere OF the place
that In his eyes could never lack char
Rcter. however dull It's momentary bust
ness. however prosy the voice that I'LL
cd IL. he had sifted impulse from ex-
pedience as only a man who has lived
within himself can sift and distinguish.
and az the close OF that first day his
programme had been formed. There
must be no rush. no headlong plunge.
he had decided. Things must wcrk
around IL was his first expedition
into the new country. and IL lay with
fate 10 say whether 10 would be his
last.
lie had been leaning back In his seat.
his eyes on the ministers opposite. his
arms folded In Imitation of Chilcoto's
most natural attitude when this final
speculation had come 10 him. and as 70
came his lips had ughtened for a mo-
ment and his face become hard and
cold. IL is an unpleasant thing when
a man first unconsciously reckons on
the weakness OF another. and the look
that expresses the idea is not good 10
sec. He had stirred uneasily, then his
lips had closed again. He was tcna-
cious 10y nature. and by nature lntol-
Grant OF weakness. AT the first sug-
gestion OF reckoning upon Chilcote's
lapses his mind had drawn back in
disgust. but as the thought came again
the disgust had lessencd.
In week-two weeks. perhaps Chill
cote would reclaim his place Then
would begin the routine OF the affair.
Chilcote. fresh from indulgence anc
freedom. would find h.s ob, sutlons a
thousand times more irksome than Ice
fore; he would struggle FOR time
then
A shadOwy smile had touched 10
=
Then would come the inevitable re-
call; then ia earnest he might venture
20 put his hand 10 the pillow. He never
INDUCED in day dreams. but something
in the nature Of q vision had flashed
over his mind in that instant. lie had
seen himself standing IN that same
building. seen the rows Of faces first
bored, then hesitatingly transformed
under his personal domination, under
the one great power he knew himself
20 possess-the power OF eloquence
The strength Of the suggestion had
been almost painful. Men who have
attained self repression are occasion
ally open to perllous onrush Of feel
Ing. Believing that they know them
selves. they walk boldly forward to-
ward the highroad and pitfall alike.
These had been LOder's disconnected
ideas and speculations on the first day
OF his new life. At O'Clock on the
ninth day he was pacing with quiet
confidence up and down ChilcOte's
study. his mind pleasantly busy and
his cigar comfortably alight when he
paused In his walk and frOwned, inter
rupted ~ the entrance OF a servant.
The man came softly into the room.
drew a small table toward the fire and
proceeded 10 lay an extremely fine and
unserviceabie looking cloth.
Loder watched him in silence. He
had grown 10 find silence very useful
commodity. To wait and let things
develop was the attitude he oftenest
assumed, but on this occasion he was
perplexed lie had not rung for tea,
and In any case a.cup on n salver sat
isfed his wants. He looked critically
at the fragile cloth.
Presently the servant departed and
solemnly re-entered carrying a silver
tray. with cups. a teapo. and cakes.
Having adjusted them To his satisfac-
ton, he turned 10 Loder.
''AIrs. Chilcote viii be with you in
five minutes, sir" he said.
He waited for some response. but
Loder gave none. Again he had found
the advantages OF silence. but this time
It was silence OF a compulsory kind.