The Huttig news., 1908-10-03
CHAPTER II. Post.PrandiaI,

Tn through the open WlndOW. alt land, twisting the sticky stem of a liqueur 2 ass between thumb ard fore finger, sat in patient waiting for the lawyer to speak.
 But Zimmerman was in no hurry; his mood was rather one contempla- tive and genial. He was a round and cherubic little man, with the face of a guileless child, the acumen of sue cessful counsel for soulless corpora tions ttfat is to say. of high order), no particular sense of humol, and great appreciation of good eating And Maitland was famous in his day as one thoroughly conversant with the art of ordering dinner.
 That which they had just discussed had been uncommon in all respects: Maitland's scheme of courses and his specification as to details had reused the admiration of the Primordials chef and put him on his mettle. He had outdone himself in his efforts to do justice to Mr Maitlands genius; and the Primordial in it's deadly conserva- tlsm 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 Zimmerman thoughtfully sucked at his cigar and thought fondly of salad that had been to ordinary salads as his So-horse- power car was to an electric blackboard. While Maitland, --ith all time at his purchase, idly fiicked the ash from his cigarette and followed his attorneys meditative gaze out through the win dow.
 Because of the heat the curtains were looped back and there was noth- ing to obstruct the view Madison square lay just over the sill, dark wilderness of foliage here and there made livid green by arc lights. It's walks teemed with humanity. it's benches were crowded. Dimly from it's heart came the cool plashing of the fountain, in lulls that fell unaccount- ably in the roaring rustic of restless feet. Over across, Broadway raised glittering walls of glass and stone; and thence came the poignant grean and rumble of surface cars crawling upon their weary and unvarying 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 lad trespassed upon the privacy of his rooms. obtaining access to them in his absence by means as unguessable as her motive. Momentarily he consid- cred taking Zimmerman into his con fidence; but he questioned the ad- visab lity of this Zimmerman was so severely practical in his outlook upon life, while this adventure had been so madly whimsical. so engagingly impossible. Zimmerman would be sure to suggest call at the precinct police station. If she had made way with anything. it would be different: but so far as Maitland had been able to determine. she had abstracted noth ing, disturbed nothing beyond a few square inches of dust.
 Unwilin~ly Zimmerman put the sa ad out of mind and turned to the business whose immediate moment had brought them together. He hummed softly calling his client to at tention Maitland came out of his reyerie, vaguely smiling.
 I'm waiting. old man. Whats up?"
 .sThe Graeme business. His lawyers have been after me aga n. I even had a call from the old man himself"
 Yes? The Graeme business 9" Ma tlands expression was blank for moment; then comprehension informed his eyes. "Oh, yes in connection with the Dougherty investment swindle."
 That's it. Graeme's pleading for mercy"
 Maitland lifted his shoulders sig nifcsntly 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?a
 T told him that doubted if you could be induced to let up"
 Then why"
 Why. because Graeme himself is as innocent of wrong doing and wrong in tent IS y@u are"
 You believe that?"
 "I do, affirmed Zimmerman His fat pink fingers drummed uneasily on the cloth fer a few moments There isn't any question that the Dcugherty pcorle induced ycu to sink your money in their enterprise with intent tc de fraud you.'
 'I should think not Maitland inter jected. amu9ed.
 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 furth CT proceedings. That proves he's in earnest Dan, for although Greame is comfortably we'll to do. it's a known fact that the loss of cool half mill on. while it's drop in the bucket to you. would cripple him
 Then why doesn't he stand to his associates, and make them each pay