Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12
Post-Prandial.

Bannerman pushed back his chair few
inches. shifting position the better to
benefit of a faint air that famed In
through the open window. Maitland
twisting the sticky stem of liqueur glass
between thumb and forefnger, sat in pa
tent waiting for the lawyer to speak
But Zimmerman was in no hurry; his
mood was rather one contemplative and
genial He was a round and cherubic
little man, with the face of a guileless
child. the acumen of a successful counsel
for soulless corporations chat is to say.
of a high order). no particular sense of
humor and great appreciation of good
eating. And Maitland was famous in his
day as one thoroughly conversant with
the art of ordering "a dinner.
That which they had just discussed had
been uncommon in all repects; Maitland
scheme of courses and his specification
as TO details had reused the admiration
of the Primordiais chef and put him on
his mettle. He had outdone himself in
his efforts to do justice to Mr.. Maitland
genius and the Primordial in its deadly
conservatism remains to this day one of
the very few places in New York where
good. sound cooking is TO be had by the
initiate.
Therefore Bannerman sucked thought
fully at his cigar and thought fOndly of
q salad that had been to ordinary salads
his eighty horsepower car was to an
electric blackboard. While Maitland. wit h
all time at his purchase, idly flicked the
ash from his cigarette and followed his
attorneys meditative gaze out through
the window.
Because of the heat the curtains were
Topped back. and there was nothing to OBJ
struct the view. Madison Square lay just
over the sill. dark wilderness of foliage
here and there made livid green by arc
lights. Its walks teemed with humanity.
it's benches were crowded. Dimly from
it's heart came the cool FLASHING OF. the
fountain. in lulls that fell unaccountaby
in the roaring rustic of restless feet. Over
across. Broadway raised glltterlng walls
of glass and stone; and thence came Inc
poignant groan and rumble of surface
cars crawling upon their weary and I'M
varying rounds.
And again Maitland thought of the city.
and of destiny. and of the gray girl, the
silhouette of whose hand was imprisoned
beneath the brass bowl on his study desk.
For by now he was quite satisfied that
she and none other had trespassed upon
the privacy of his rooms. obtaining ac-
cess 10 them in his absence by means. as
unguessable as her motive Momentar.ly
he considered taking Bannerman into his
confidence: but he questioned the advisa-
bility of this. Zimmerman was Sc
verely practical in his outlook upon life.
while this adventure had been so madly
whimsical enga gingly impossible. Ban
herman would be sure to suggest a call
at the precinct police station. III
she had made way with anything ii would
be different. but far Maitland had
been able to determine. she had abb
stracted nothing. disturbed nothing be-
yond few square inches of dust.
Cnwilingly Bannerman put the salad
out of mind and turned TO the business
whose imp,ediate moment had brought
them together. He hummed softly. call
ing his client to attention. Maitland
came out Of his reverie. vaguely smiling.
tfnp oil ma
1.-The Graeme business. His lawyers
have been after me again. | even had a
call from the old man himself"
Yes? The Graeme business? Matt
lands expression was blank for mo-
ment; then comprehension informed his
ewes oh yes; In connection with the
Dougherty investment swindle.
That's it. Graeme's pleading for
mercy"
Maitland lifted his shoulders sigrif-