The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-26

But it's only reasonable that II you
did so / should be repaid out OF
your inheritance. Even I can see
that"
Gambling on Esther's Life.
"a clause to provide for an I'M
likely contingency, boy" put in
Moncrief, don't you see? 1t can't
implicate your cousin for 1t only
takes effect in case OF her death"
Guy thought for a moment and
realized the truth OF this. The
clause could not involve Esther.
Let 1t pass then.
81 think that's about ALL" con-
cluded Epstone, with another yawn.
Then he looked at his watch. by
love, II is late" he said. Let's get
It signed and done with. can
hand you $1,000 at once, Mr.. Hook
ing, and you can draw the rest
when you please. VIII you kindly
sIgn?"
Morris took the agreement and
spread IL out on the Chippendale
desk. He pointed out the place
where the signature was required
and handed Guy a pen
"OuEhtn't 1 to read the blessed
thing?" whispered Guy to Moncrief.
whats the good?" answered the
agent You know all about 1t. and
it's you who gets the money.
Hurry up: we all want to be on"
Guy Signs the Papers.
So Guy signed the paper as d.
rected, and without a single Qualm
OF conscience. Drinks were renewed
in honor of the event and Epstone
handed over $4,000 as II they were
of no moment to him Then he
rose and apologized for dismissipg
his visitors.
1--WE shall meet again, Mr.. Hook
ing" he said, "and soon, 1 hope
You know you can have the money
as you like. And now / must say
'Good-by' or shall be late at my
engagement"
Guy walked to the door. Mon
Grief delayed a moment as he held
Epstone's hand.
mo, no." muttered the jackal-
Hes in a bad temper-a shocking
bad temper. See you tomorrow"
Moncrief followed Guy.
"A Fool There Was Who Said
HJove, Monchief, what mark"
said the latter, as they passed into
the street.
But he would not have said so
had he seen the man who sat be-
hind the curtained doors, the money
lender whom New York knew and
feared. the voraclous wolf who
made fools like Guy Hooking his
prey. II Guy had known-even
poor, thoughtless Guy-that Gold
smith was the actual lender Of the
money which he vas so gleefully
huEginE in his pocket he would
have asked himself, why did he
do this thing-whyT'
Why did he do this thing? Why
was Goldsmith. most rapacious and
sharpest of block-suckers, willing
TO lend so large a sum of money to
a man who had but the vaguest
pretense OF security to offer in re-
turn? This question even puzzled
the Jackal, familiar as he was with
his masters methods. He had mere
ly acted upon his instructions, which
had been definite enough: he was
to simulate the rich young man,
careless and unbusiness-like. ready
to lend his money without question
Of a presumed friend, and all this
he had carried out with his usual
measure OF success; but, neverthe-
less, knowing something of Hook
ing's position, he was puzzled, and
withal a little curious to see more
deeply into the matter.
Let's have another look at that
document. Norris" he said as soon
as the door had closed upon Mon
Grief and Guy. We've brought off
the trick, but I'm blessed IL I can
see the strength of it."
yes, Mr. Epstone," Morris was
the kind OF man who never omitted
the prefix of "Mr." even when talk
ing to his associates or presumed
equals. Here you are, duly sign
ed, sealed and delivered" He
chuckled as he passed over the
paper: he. too would not be with
out his share Of the 20 per cent
that Guy had promised to pay the
agent: there were other ways also
Of turning a dishonest penny over
the transaction, for Morris was in
timately in the confidence OF his
master, the shark.
You know more about II than I
do evidently" snapped Epstone as
he scanned the deed, "As far as I
can see. the only chance of repay
ment is in the event of Miss Vassell
dying unmarried and Hooking in
heritinK the property. Everything
points that way, and, according to
the wording. which the fool never
took the trouble TO read. there'll be
a goOdly haul upon his Inheritance
81 ever or whenever he succeeds to
It. Is Miss Vassell in bad health,
OF anything OF that sort?"
Esther in Good Health But -?
mot that ! know Of. Nj Ep-
stone" grinned the other. From
all accounts she is a very healthy
young lady. But one never knows
and Mr.. Goldsmith may have in
formation that he keeps from us.
He's a hot 'un"-the little man
spoke admIrlngly Of his patron
real pepper"
EpstOne glanced at his compan-
ion sharply, and with intelligence
in his weak blue eyes, intelligence
which he was able to Danish at
need, a peculiar faculty that adapt
ed him for the role he so often as
sumed.