Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-13
CHAPTER XIII.
OIlAE L bEN 2N-Nlls
SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THE
LAUGH ON THE BOSS

LAUGH ON THE BOSS,
Sledge, in the luxurious little room
which he occupied for an hour each day
as president Of the First National, gazed
stonlly at Bendix as he punched the but
ton on his desk.
"Chamberlaln's house" he speculated.
"Hunhr
"Of course, Marley gave notes for 1t.
Thirty, 50 and 90 days, and four months;
four payments, of $1,000 EACH
In answer to the bell Cashier Davis
came in, with the pomnosity of the owner
of the mint mingled with the obsequtous-
ness Of messenger boy.
Frank Marley" rumbled Sledge ac-
cusingly. Hes got money. Where did
he get it7"
mot here, sir" smiled Mr.. Davis, rub
binE his f1sh-fat hands together in the
satisfaction OF deeds we'll done.
Find out" directed Sledge. and Davis
took his sleek white sldeburns and his
white waistcoat out of the room.
He's using cash, even in the payment
of his grocery bills" supplemented Ben
dix. Young Keene tells me that he saw
into Marlcy's pocketbook and 1t was
stuffed with big bills thousands and five
hundreds. Keene estimates that he must
have had $4,000 with HIM"
why don't the stock go DOWN" de-
manded Sledge, the accusing look this
time boring into Bendix.
IT pass" declared Bendix, turning both
palms upward, "1've had stuff In the
papers everyday about the new equip
ment and better schedules, and the gen.
eral crippling of the old line, but in place
Of going down to 25 the stocks around
81 now, and at that I can only find
little of it. After a hard days work
chasing 1t down yesterday. ] picked up
less than hundred shares. We started
after the control too late"
who's buying it,
"Cheap young brokers and has-beens
whom we haven't kept in line. They
won't say who it's for, except that It's
scattering orders The general impress
sion seems TO be gaining ground that, no
matter what happens, the stock is bound
to be worth more than 35 Spectators
have grabbed it, I guess"
They'd make a noise,' objected Sledge,
glaring down at the cuspidor which In
this room, took the place of the hand
hole in the gate as a source of inspira-
tion.
How about Bozzam?"
rive tried my best to trace something
back to his crowd. but / can't find
connection any place"
Sledge was silent for a moment.
"Bozzam's in it," he stated, decisively.
81 don't like TO think So" defended Ben
dix. HE seems to work clean"
You found him." explained Sledge.
Hes in IT, He's a crook"
Even Bendix grinned.
IT don't deny that, but he's too wise
to start anything with you. That's what
I bank on"
HE thinks I'm on the pam" judged
sledge. He's a stranger"
Davis came in.
I'VE have telephoned all the banks"
L. - Ahn, I.a1 a
any recent loans to Mr.. Marley, nor have
any checks been drawn in his favor
'Hunh!" grunted Sledge. He stolidly
walked out of the office. followed by Ben
dix. and climbed into his waiting rum
about. over which the crossing policeman
stood guard, Don't buy any more
stock" he directed Bendix, and drove
off Sell It,"
He strode into the ONCE OF the trac-
ton company. and stopped at Hunts
desk.
Marley drawn any money here2" he
wanted to know.
His salary" replied Hunt fawnIng
servilely on the big man who stood at
his side.
"Is he selling any stock?"
mot that I know of. SIR"
Making any iashT'
mot particularly. He has been whls-
tling."
Making any threatsT
mot that I heard"
"HuhnT and Sledge turned from tho
desk. Anybody In with him?"
II think his daughter. SIR" smirked
Hunt. land Mr.. Glider. unless they have
gone out the other way"
Sledge looked down at his lapel. The
red rose was an excellent specimen. ex'
cept that 1t had one struggling petal in
which was a worm hole. He Jerked on
that petal. and walked unannounced into
Marley's office. pausing just inside the
door, struck dumb by tableau being
enacted at the opposite entrance. Bert
Glider. in the act OF departing, was kiss
Ing Molly good-by, and Marley, at his
desk, was looking on unconcernedly.
Bert grInned impudently at sledge, and
departed Molly grinned tantalizingly
at him, and sat In the big leather chair
opposite her father. Marley grinned
cheerfuly and offered him a cigar.
"Fine weather." he observed.
"Who give out the dope about extend
ing the Ridgewood Avenue line?" Sledge
grufhy wanted to know.
st did," returned Marley calmly 'T
thought It might help the price OF my
stock. It's been going down OF late"
who gave you the wordr
fCoNJTINJTrET TOATOpppU1yN