The evening world., 1911-07-01
The Finger
Greatest Summer MveE of tie Yea.
By Phillips Oppenheim

have been this evening II II scarcely
wise for us to be seen together"
Huntley took tho hint. finished his
drink, and departed. Saton sat for a
few more minutes alone Then he. too.
went out into the street, and walked
slowly homeward. He let himself INTO
the house in Regents Park with his
latchkey. and went thoughtfuliy up
stairs. The room was still brilliantly
s...lng over the IRE. turned, round to
greet him.
"Well?' she asked.
Jaton Invested himself of his hat and
coat. Madame's black eyes were stu
fixed upon him. He came slowly across
toward her.
"well?" she repeated.
you we're there he reminded her.
Il saw you sitting almost In the front
row. What did you think OF TT"
She shrugged her shoulders.
What does 1t matter what I think OF
IL? Tell me about the others."
M paper was pronounced every
wnere to be a great success" he de-
clared- Many OF the cleverest men in
London were there. They listened to
every syllable"
Madame nodded.
why trouble to teach them" she
asked. n little scornfully. What OF
Huntley? Have you seen him? How
have they done to-day"
1T goes WELL" he answered. 1T al
ways goes WE'LL"
she moved her head slowly.
Yet <e-night you are not thinking OF
, It," she said. For many lights you
have not counted your earnings. You
are thinking Of other things" she de-
clared harshly. Don't look ava from
me. Look into my eyes"
1T is true" he answered. Tonight
I have been with clever men. I have
measured my wits against theirs. I
have pushed into their consciousness
things which they were unwilling to be-
lieve. I have made them believe. There
were many people there who felt. l be-
lieve. for the first time that they were
ignorant"
The woman looked at him %scornfully.
There was no softening In her face.
and we. she had taken his hand in hers
and held 1t.
what do we gain by THAR" she asked
harshly. What We want Is gold. gold
all the time. You ought to know that,
you who have been 30 near to starva-
ton. Are you a fool that you don,
realize IT."
II am not a fool" Saton answered
calmly. "but there is another side &c
the whole matter. A meeting such n:
to-night's gives an immense FLIP on the
part of society to what they are pleased
to call the supernatural. II is only the
fear OF ridlcule which keeps half TIT
people In the world from hoodlng oui
branches, every one OF them eager e
have their fortunes told. A night Ike
tonight Is a great help. Clever men
men VINO are believed I'm, have acceptet
! tho nrin,inla fhut fharp arc la wa which
govern the future SO surely as the pas
in It's turn has been governed. on
needs only to apprehend those laws. q
: reduce them TO Ineligible formulate. l
is an exact study, an exact science
This is the doctrine which l hav'
1. preached. When people once believe II
{ what Is 10 keep them from coming II
; their thousands to those who know NOR
than they do?'
The woman shook her head derislvely
y need 10 wait for those days
T she answered. The world Is packed
-, fun of fools now. No need 10 wrestl'
: with nature. to wear oneself inside GU
, to give them truth. Give them IN rub
! bish. Give them II they seem L
want. 1t IL enough so long as they
bring the gold. How much was taker
: to-day altogether"
Saton passed or 10 her the paper,
which the man Huntley had given hin
in the cafe.
I, "There is the account" he said. "Yo,
! see 1t grows larger every day"
: "What becomes Of the money!" sh,
asked.
: 1T is paid into the bank. and tbs
> bankers receipt comes to me eaci
: morning. There Is no chance for fraud
, must make some more investment:
4 soon. our balance grows and grows"
The woman's eyes glittered.
Bring me some money Tomorrow
T she begged. grasping his other hand
Il like TO have 1t here in my hands
Money and you. Bertrand. my son-the,
= are all ! care for. Banks and invest
V ments are well enough. l like money
. Kiss me. Bertrand"
a lie laughed tolerantly. and kissed he
u check.
o My dear Rachael" he said. "yol
have already bagsful OF gold about tn
p place"
They are SAFE she assured him
absolutely safe. They never leave m!
person. | feel them as | sit. | sleel
with them at night. l am COINS to be,
now. Bertrand"
9 "Well?" he asked.
She pointed to him with long fore
finger. a foreinger afame with jewels.
= "Lookl We play with no ~fortune-tell
ing here. What Is there in your face
What is there in your life you are no
telling me OF? Il II a womanf"
: There are many women in my life.
s ne answered. You know that"
| 81 do" she answered. Poor fools
e Play with them oil you Will. but RI
member-the one whom YOU choose mu.
have gold""
y He nodded.
81 am not likely TO forget" ne said.
n She left the room with n farewe
caress. There was something almo'
- tigress-like about the way In which he
n arms wound themselves around him.
some CLEAN OF the terrified victim
his eyes. as he felt her touch. Then oh
y, left the room. Saton sank back into n
n easy chair, and gazed stcadfas'ly In,
60 the FIRE through half-closed eyes.
-
80 ITO Re COntlnuedl