Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-15

man upon whose face was stamped
sincerity Of purpose - frankness - hon
esty."
Craig smiled grimly. YOU answer that
description yourself, Mr.. Helderman,' he
| said. ironically.
"Ah," returned Hcderman, but un-
fortunately, while they admire me, they
do not trust me- ! am honest, yes-but
they consider me too smart-much too
clever for them. need a man like you.
Come my friend, let us buy trust COM
panies together. | will do the thinking
I shall he the brains snail get the
money somehow | shall get it--and y Sou
shall do the talklng-you shall make the
/ bargains -
-" thought craig to himself, shall
he tho catspaw.'
But I know nothing about buslness,
protested Craig aloud.
so much the better" said Helderman.
when tuey see YOU know nothing aoout
business they think they can pull the
wool over your eyes That is lust eN-
actly what I want them to think but
behind you stands my brain
Craig shook his head. II don see
It, MIR. Helderman." he said. Tho whole
thing would bc distasteful to me,
"Distasteful," echoed Heldermah rs
1t distasteful TO n young man to nave
money!"
Craig almost laughed aloud. It was
evident Helderman knew nothing oi
Rutherfords comfortable finances,
"Is it distasteful," went on Helderman
ITO be u power in the financial world. to
he able to command large sums3 Is II
distasteful to take in the deposits of all
New Nork-to pay New York | per cent.
interest on its money-and to make-not
for New York, but for oneself-3O, 40, 80
per cent. on those deposits?"
ut would he distasteful," said Craig,
Tor the thing to go to smash
Think" went Oh TGedermau. YOU n
young man, could build house like this
here on the drivc--how could you do it'
] shall tell YOU how, You build your
house. 1t costs you. say a milUon-l am
wrong. It costs YOU not n cent to own
this house-you borrow from your trust
company-your own trust Companv-a
million and half. You have your house
! for nothing, and YOU have cool half.
million to spend upon your friends"
THAT is high finance" said Craig,
| laughing. He shook his head with finality
that could not he mistaken. ~ can't go
in with you, Mr.. HTelderman," he said.
| 1T would take me 10 years to understand
| this thing, and [ am not the man to
tackle anything unless I understand it.
| am sorry. but ] can't go in
Craig told himself nwardlY that he
| wouldn't have touched the thing with a
! l0-foot pole. He also told himself that
he understood it wcll-and further that
| he knew Heldcrman now much better
| than he had ever known him. Hederman
| had laid his cards face upwards on the
table. lie had made his methods clear
as day
TIelderman regarded his guest quiz2i-
] Cally, trying to penetrate his reserve,
| and learn Just how much of an impress
sion he had made. Then he reseated him
self on one of the slm-legged chairs in
| front of the fire.
! Smoke" he asked.
Rutherford accepted the proffcred cigar
with a bow. lighted 1t, and rose TO toss
/ the match into the CRATE. His continued
! silence nettled his host.
"I hope you didn't mind my dogs"
said Helderman. 81 have had them so
| long I know all their ways"
"Oh. not at ALL replied Craig. II had
| forgotten all about them. To tell you
the truth, my wits are wool-gatherinE to-
might. Seeing YOU again has brought
freshly to mind that little episode with
tho wireless in which YOU and | figured
Craig had deliberately introduced the
subject to test how much or how little
the banker knew about it. Crowder had
/
Yes. yes! l recall 1t now. 1t was about
a message the little redCheck would not
sell for good money. | read il thought
Are you-sure?'' Craig asked quietly.
"Perfectly!" the banker responded look
ing at him quickly. lit was about a
smuggled necklace.
Then it may surprise you to know that
I left the ship with that necklace in my
outside pocket"
Helderman leaned forward In his chair.
His face wore an expression of blended
surprise and admiration.
by Jove! This is great! You the
smuGGler You, with your clean up
standing look of innocence. Clever boy!'
TT depends upon the point of view-as
l said before% said Craig you see.
never know when I'm lucky-and l gave
1t up!'
"Ah, to some lady-lovew Helderman
laughed with yelled sugEestiveness. 1T
is those charming creatures who get us
into trouble! | hope the fair one Is
pleased with your ill-gotten gains"
You misunderstood me. l gave II up
to the Government"
What" Helderman half sprang from
his chair, and then as suddenly quieted
down again. What possessed you to do
that my dear fellow he asked in
conversational tone
"Why not? It's perfectly safe with
them, isn't it,
''ves-bul how about your friend, the
SmuRgler?" rejoined Helderman, face
tiousy.
MY friend the smuGgler should have
consulted me beforehand, about wishing
to lease my pocketW
CONTINUED TOMORROW