The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-12-30
Ruiz. who had been making figures

Ruiz, who had been making figures
with pencil on the edge OF his blot
ting-paper. suddenly turned round.
His eyes flashed with new light as
they became fxed upon his compan-
ions.
And are you not!" he asked
calmly.
Sir Richard bore himself well. For
moment he had shrunk back. Then
he half rose to his feet.
Mr. Run. he said II must pro-
test
Stop.
Peter Ruff used no violent gesture.
Only his forefnger tapped the desk In
front of him. His voice was as smooth
as velvet.
Tell me as much or as little as you
please, Sir Richard. he said, but let
that little or that much be the truth.
On those terms only may be able TO
help you You 10 not go to your ply
stefan and expect him to prescribe to
you whilst you conceal your symp-
toms, or TO your lawyer for advice and
tell him half the truth am not ask
ing for your confidence / simply tel!
You that you are wasting your time
and mine IL you choose to withhold
it,
Sir Richard was silent. He recog-
nized new quality in the man-but
the truth was an awful thing TO tell!
He considered-then told.
Ruff brfskiy asked two questions
In abiding to your heavy settlement
with Masters, you said just now that
you could not have paid him-then.
Quite so" Sir Richard admitted.
That is the rotten part OF the whole
affair Four days later a wonderful
double came off-one in which we
were all interested, and one which not
one of us expected We've drawn a
considerable amount already from one
or two bookies, and believe even Mas
tiers owes us bit now
Thank you, Run said. 81 think
that know everything now. Ny fee
is five hundred guineas.''
Sir Richard looked at him.
What?" he exclaimed.
Five hundred guineas,' Run re-
peated.
For consultation? Sir Richard
asked.
Peter Ruff shook his head.
More than that he said. You
are brave man in your way, Sir Rich.
ard Dyson, but you are going about
now shiyering under load of fear.
Ii sits like devil incarnate upon your
shoulders. 1t poisons the air where
ever you go. Write your check, Sir
Richard. and you can leave that little
black devil in my waste-basket You
are under my protection. Nothing
will happen 10 you"
Sir Richard sat like a man mesmer-
lied. The little man with the amiable
expression and the badly.fitting suit
was leaning back in his chair, his fin
ger-tips pressed together, waiting.
Nothing will happen, /" Sir Rich.
ard repeated, incredulously.
Certainly not" Ruff declared. Il
guarantee you against any inconve-
nience which might arise to you from
this recent unfortunate affair. Isn't
that all you want?
ard declared, . but | must understand
a little how you propose to secure my
immunity
Run shook his head
=. have my own methods he said.
can help only those who trust me"
Sir Richard drew a check-book from
his pocket. don't know why
should believe in YOU" he said, as he
wrote the check.
. But you do Peter Run said.
smiling. Fortunately for you, you
do
1t was not so easy 10 impart SINH
lar confidence into the breast of his
friend, Colonel Dickinson, with whom
he dined that night tete-a-tete. Dick
inson was inclined to think that Sir
Richard had been had"
!" You've paid ridiculous fee he
argued, and all that you have in re-
turn is the fellows promise TO see you
through 1t isn't like you to part with
money 80 easily, Richard. Did he hyp-
notize you? =
g don't think So Sir Richard an
swered.. wasn't conscious OF it,
What sort of fellow is he? Dick
inson asked.
Sir Richard looked refectiyely into
his glass
He's a vulgar sort OF little Johnny"
he said. Looks az though be we're
always dressed in new clothes and