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


writing. I guarantee 10 get il right. but
II viii take month"
a. MONTH
Wen perhaps three weeks. We
mustn't make mess OF things"
Chilcote shifted his position.
Three weeksr' he repeated. Couldn't
your
mo. I couldn't" Loder spoke au-
thoritatively. Il might never want 10
put pen 20 paper. but on the other
hand. might have TO sign a check one
day" He laughed. Have Won ever
thought OF that-that might have 10.
or want to. sign q checkY"
NO. l confess that escaped me"
You risk your fortune that YOU NAV
keep the place il bought for vouT'
Loder laughed again. How do YOU
know that am not blackguardg" be
added How do you know that I
won't clear out one day and leave YOU
high and dry What is TO prevent John
Chlcote from realizing 10000 or 600
600 and then making himself scarceT"
You won't do that" Chilcote said.
with unusual decision. Il told Won
your weakness last night. and IL wasn't
money. Money isn't the rock you'll
split over"
Then you think III split upon some
rock But that's beyond the question.
To get 10 business again. You'll risk
my studying your signatureT"
Chlc0te nodded
Right! Now item two" Ioder
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 Won.
you viii be adamant" lie laughed
again pleasantly. "But the men are
essential-the backbone Of the whole
business
Il have no men friends. don't trust
the idea OF friendship"
Acquaintance. then"
Chilcote looked up sharply. Il think
we score there" he said. Il have q
reputation for Observation-Disclosures that
will carry YOU anywhere. They tell me
can look through the most substan-
tial man in the house as n he were COS
samer. though / may have lunched with
him the same day"
Lodcr smiled. BY Jovew he ex-
claimed. Fate must have been con
structing this before either of US was
born. IL dovetails ridiculously. But
must know your colleagues. even II It's
only TO cut them. You'n have 10 take
me 10 the house"
Impossible"
''Not az allr' Again the tone OF au-
thorlty fell 20 Loder. Il can pull my
hat over my eyes and turn up my
coat collar. Nobody viii notice me
We can choose the fan OF the after
noon. / promise you twill be all
right"
Suppose the likeness should leak
Quit It's a risk"
Loder laughed confidently. ''Tush.
man. Risk is the salt OF life. I must
see You az 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 20 -
for tsing ! Ike TO 40 in over head
and ears" he added as he opened his
tobacco jar.
Ills pipe filed. he resumed his seat
resting his elbows on the table in un
conscious imitation OF Chucote
Got a matchy' he said laconlcallv. Il
holding out his hand.
In response ChilcOte drew his match
box from his pocket and struck a light
As their hands touched an exclama-
ton escaped him
by Jove." he said. with a fretful
mixture OF disappointment and sur
prise. Il hadn't noticed thatr His
eyes were fixed in annoyed interest on
LOder's 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 q jagged furrOw, the
reminder OF a wound that had once
laid bare the bone.
Chilcote leaned forward How did |
you come by it," he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders
-NOh. that's ancient history"
THE results are present day enough.
It's very awkward. very annoyingr'
Loder. still looking at his hand. didn't |
seem 10 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."
de made a 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 there'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
4 queer beggar you arer' he said. you
waive the danger OF a man signing
your checks and shy at wearing a piece
Of Jewelry. I'll have fair share Of in
to study"
Chilcote moved restlessly. Every
body knows detest jewelry"
Everybody knows you are capri
cious. It's got TO be the rings or moth