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

cantly. That was to be expected. wasn't
it? What did you tell him.
THAT I'd see YOU"
did you hold out to him any hopes
that I'd be easy on the gang?"
II told him that I doubted if you could
be induced to let up
Then why-?''
why because Graeme himself is as in
nocent of wrongdoing and wrong intent
as you are
You believe that?'
Il do" affirmed Bannerman. His fat
pink fingers drummed uneasily on the
cloth for a few moments. There isn't
any question that the Dougherty people
induced you to sink your money in their
enterprise with intent to defraud you"
Il should think not Maitland inter-
jected. amused.
But old man Graeme was honest. in
intention at least. He meant no harm,
and In proof of that he offers to shoulder
your loss himself. If by so doing he can
induce you to drop further proceedings.
That proves he's in earnest. Dan, for al
it's known fact that the loss of a cool
half million. while it's a drop in the
bucket to you, would cripple him.
Then why doesn't he stand to his as
sociates and make them each pay back
their fair share of the loot? Thatd bring
his liability down to about fifty thou
sand
Because they won't give up without a
contest in the courts. They deny your
| proofs-you have those papers, haven
you?'
| safe under lock and key" asserted
Maitland. sententiously. when the time
!, comes I'll produce them.
"And they incriminate Graeme?"
"They make it look as black for him
as for the others. Do you honestly be-
| leve him innocent. Bannerman?'
Il do. implicitly. The dread of ex-
| posture. the fear of notorety when the
| h.
man ten years. He begged me with
| tears in his eyes to induce you to drop it
and accept his offer of restitution Don t
you think you could do it. Dan?'
head with decision. "If l let up the
scoundrels get off scot free. l have moth
/ ing against Graeme; l am willing to
/ make it as light 1 for him; but
! this business has got TO be aired In the
| courts; the guilty will have to suffer. 1t
| will be a lesson to the public. a lesson
| to the scamps and Lesson to Graeme-
not to lend his name too freely to ques-
| tionable enterprises.
| And that's your final word. Is it?'
! Final. Bannerman. - You go ahead:
| prepare your case and take it to court.
| When the time comes. as i say, I'll pro-
duce these papers. l can't go on this
! way, letting people believe that m an
easy mark just because / was unfortu-
nate enough to inherit more money than
| is good for my wholesome"
| Maitland twisted his eyebrows In depre-
| cation of Bannermans attitude: signifed
the irrevocability of his decision by
bringing his fist down upon the table
but not heavily enough to disturb the
| OF her diners, and, laughing. changed the
subject:
| For some moments he gOssiped cheer
fully of his new power boat. Bannerman
attending to the inconsequent details with
| an air of abstraction. Once or twice he
appeared about to interrupt. but changed
| his mind but because hts features were
| so wholly 1nfantile and open and candid,
| the time came when Maitland could no
longer ignore his evident perturbation.
| Now what's the trouble?" he de-
| manded with a trace of asperity. Cant
you forget that Graeme business and
| "Oh. it's not that" Bannerman DIS
missed the troubles OF Mr.. Graeme with
| an airy wave of pudey hand. That
| not my funeral. nor yours. Only
I've been worried of late by your utterly
| careless habits
Maitland looked his CONSERVATION. I'm
| heavens name. what now?" And grinned
as he Joined hands before him in simu-