Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-03
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CnllcoIe opened Ills lips, pduseu, thcA
laughed in imitation Of his companion,
but the laugh sounded forced.
'Afy dear fellow he said at last, Il
never retract."
Never"
"No.'
ssThen the bargains sealed"
Loder walked slowly across the room
and, taking up his position by the man
telpiece looked at his companion. The
similarity between them as they faced
each other seemed abnormal, defying
even the closest scrutiny. And yet, so
mysterious is nature even in her lapses,
they were subtly, indefinably different.
Chileote was Loder deprived Of one es-
sential; Loder, Chilcote with that es-
sential bestowed The difference lay
neither in feature, in coloring nor in
height, but in that battling, Elusive
inner illumination that some call indi-
4 yiduality 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 it appre-
hensively.
I'll came to discuss Details he
said quickly, crossing the space that
divided him from his host. "Shall
WEI Are your He paused I'M
easily.
sTm entirely in your hands" Loder
spoke with abrupt decision. Moving to
A.. +cl,1o 10 spd;ao+o5 a ahoir 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 APP
preciatiyely. Il thought about those
things the better part of last night. To
begin with, l must study your hand
writing. guarantee to get it right, but
it will take month"
"a MONTH"
'sWell, perhaps three weeks. We
mustn't make mess of things"
Chilcote shifted his position.
s'Three weeks he repeated. Couldn't
your
mo, couldn't" Loder spoke au-
thoritatiyely. Il might never want to
put pen to paper; but on the other
hand, | might have to sign check one
day" He laughed. 'Haye you ever
thought Of that that I might have to,
or want to, sign check?"
mo 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 l am not blackguard?" he
added. How do you know that |
won't clear out one day and leave you
high and dry? What is to prevent John
| Chilcote from realizing 100000 or ESQ.,
900 and then making himself scarce?"
You won't do that" Chilcote said,
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.
Right Now item two" Loder
counted on his fingers Il 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
81 have no men friends. don't trust
the idea of friendship"
Acquaintance them
Chilcote looked up sharply. Il think
we score there" he said. Il have a
| reputation for observation-disclosures that
win carry you anywhere. They tell me
| I can look through the most substan-
/ tial man in the house as if he were Cos
samer, though may have lunched with
him the same day."
Loder smiled. by Jovel" 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 If it's
only to cut them. You'll have to take
me to the house
Impossible"
s'Not at all.'' Again the tone Of au-
thority fell to Loder. Il 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 nrnnnisa Won twill he all
right
Suppose the likeness should leak
out? It's a risk"
Loder laughed confidently. flush,
man! Risk is the salt Of life. l must
see you at your post, and must see
the men you work with" He rose,
walked across the room and took his
pipe from the rack. when I go in
for thing like to go in over head