Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1911-09-29


There was a sharp ring at the mt
door Underwood opened It. Ast he
recognized his visitor on the tArerA.
cid, be exclaimed
~"'. bennington. cAis il sur
prls-.
IN" manager entered awkwardiy.
he mad the constrained air OF a man
VINO mas come on an unpleasant er.
rand, but wants to be as amiable al
the circumstances will permit
You didn't expect me, did your" he
began.
Shutting the front door, Underwood
led 1ae way back into the sitting room,
and making an effort to control his
nerves, said:
Sit down, won't your"
But Mr.. Bennington merely bowed
stfffiy It was evident that he did not
wish mis- call to be mistaken for a so
cial visit.
1 haven't time, thank you. To be
frank, my mission is rather a delicate
one, Mr.. Underwood"
Underwood laughed nervously. AT.
tectfng to misinterpret the others
meaning, he said:
Yes, you're right. The art and an
tique business is a delicate business.
God knows it's precarious onei"
Reaching for the decanter, he added:
Have a drink"
But Mr.. Bennington refused to I'M
bend. The proffer of refreshment did
not tempt him to swerve from the OBJ
ject of his mission. While Underwood
was talking. trying to gain time, his
eyes were taking in the contents of
the apartment
Come, take drink" urged Under
wood again.
mo, thanks" replied Mr.. Benning-
ton cdrtly.
Suddenly he turned square around.
Lets get down to business, Mr.. I'm
derwood," he exclaimed. my firm In
sists on the immediate return of their
property" Pointing around the room,
he added: Everything, do you under
stand?"
Underwood was standing in the sha-
dow of the lamp so his visitor did not
notice that he had grown suddenly
very white, and that his mouth
twitehed painfully
Why, what's the trouble?" he STAN.
mered Haven't | got prices for your
people that they would never have got
temp"
"Yes-we know all that" replied
Mr.. Bennington impatiently. ITO be
frank, Mr.. Underwood, we've received
information that you've sold many
of the valuable articles intrusted to
you for which you've made no account
ing at all"
That's not true" exclaimed Under
wood holly. 81 have accounted for
almost everything. The rest of the
things are here. or course, there may
be few things"
Taking box of cigars from the
desk. he offered it to his visitor
mo, thanks" replied Bennington
coldly, pushing back the proffered
box.
Underwood was fast losing his self.
control. Throwing away his cigar with
an angry exclamation, he began to
walk up and down.
Il can account for everything If you
give me time. You must give me time.
I'm hard pressed by my creditors. My
expenses are enormous and collections
exceedingly difficult. | have a large
amount of money outstanding. After
our pleasant business relations IL
seems absurd and most unfair that
your firm should take this stand with
me-" He halted suddenly and faced
Bennington, "Of course, I'm much
obliged to you, personally, for this
friendly tip"
Bennington shrugged his shoulders.
THE warning may give you time
either to raise the money or to get the
things back"
Underwood's dark eyes flashed with
suppressed wrath, as he retorted:
"Of course, can get them all back
In time. Damn it, you fellows don't
know what it costs to run this kind
of business successfully! One has to