Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-02-25
Private Office
JOHN ]. SMITH

jacques had no scruples; he delib-
erately stopped down and glued his
eye to the keyhole. Smith was seated
with his back to the door. He was
carefully reading long letter. Sud-
denly he struck his fist on the table
in anger.
"The foolw he cried Beside him
on the table was cablegram. :.
"I'd like to know what that letter
contains" whispered Jacques. "I'll
continue to watch him, and you knock
on the door.
Merseins knocked. Smith jumped
from his seat. He thrust the letter
and cablegram quickly into his pock-
ct, and then called out:
"Come inw
The two friends entered the room,
bowling affably. Smith stared hard
at them, as though trying to recog-
iIize them.
"To whom have the honor Of
speaking?" he inquired.
owe knocked at your door without
being announced, because your office
boy was asleep and it seemed a pity
to wake him." said Jacques.
Gone does not expect any one in
the offices at this hour. The busi-
ness men of Calcutta knock off work
during the hottest part of the day."
"They are lazy; but | see that you
are an exception to the rule"
"To whom have ! the honor Of
speaking" asked Smith for the Sec
ond time.
"Let me introduce my friend to you
Mr.. Paul Merseins, on the Paris
Bourse," replied Jacques. "And my
name is Jacques Velizay, also from
Paris"
"In what way can I serve you"
"My friend is accompanying me on
a trip. We are going through central
India"
Smith interrupted him.
care you not the buyer who does
great deal of business in India for an
important house in Paris?"
"The same, sir"
"I have heard of you, and am very
pleased to make your acquaintance"
The Englishman seemed more
agreeable. He asked his visitors to
be seated.
"I can return the compliment" re-
piled Jacques, smiling. eve have
often heard friends in Paris speak Of
YOU. This is why we called"
"Who are they, may l ask"
"Some good friends of yours, !
believe-M. and Nine. Calesse-An7
DIRE Calesse."
"Indeed! You know them?"
There was an ambiguous smile on
the Englishmans face as Jacques re-
pied:
"Oh, yes; we spent several even
ings with them before we left France.
I intended to ask M. Calesse to give
me a letter of introduction to you,
but had not the time"
"You came away hurriedly?" :,
eyes. At first l had no intention
Of coming with my friend. | thought
that | should be coming to India
again for my firm, but certain con-
cessions that / asked have been re-
fused me, so ] decided to tempt for
tune on my own account.
"At first | thought of going into
partnership Nth M. Calesse, but our
business relations for the time being
capital upon which we cannot quite
agree" =,
of any use to you, you have only to
command me-" said John j. Smith.
"You are very obliging." 81
They talked for some minutes
about the commerce in India; then
Merseins interrupted to say:
"Mr. Smith might advise us about
our money"
Smith wheeled around in his chair
and looked at Morseins.
"As we ara go? q through central
Iudia," continued Paul, 1--WE do not
want to take with us more money
than is strictly necessary. So we
thought of leaving some with you"
"How much ?"
Five thousand francs apiece. Isn't
that it Jacques 2"
II suppose you have an agent or
banker in Kashmir who could reim-
burse this sum to us when we get
there? You could give us letter of
credit to that effect?"