The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-07-17

tonished even himself SIS that every
single item of it Is truel Don't blame
him, Mr.. Cullen. It's true-every
word"
Cullen shock himself"
"Of course it's true! Isn't It what
you've told us yourself, in a different
way, It's the telling of it that
cOuntsr'
Now listen to me a moment! !" Hill
lizard was impassively serious: the way
to the denouement was opening clear
before him. He need only offer him.
self for Judgment, and the future
would take care of itself. My purpose
In coming up here this afternoon was
to talk to you about this same prop
erty, Mr.. Cullen. l . [ had some
rather important things to tell you
about 1t. But in view of this new at
titude of Warnings, I'm going TO act
differently This won't stop here. and
| prefer to have somebody look into II
before it's any worse. I'm going to put
| myself in your hands. Rufus and An
| CELIA, | want you both to witness this.
Mr.. Cullen, Pm going to give
you check for eight thousand dol
lars; it's my whole balance at the
Trust and Deposit company, less what
| I'll need to live on for few days. I'm
going to turn over to you twenty thou
sand shares in the Silverbow Mining
corporation to keep for me-it's my
| fn
| turn over to you my contract with the
mining corporation, which calls for the
| delivery of all the rest of the corporate
| stock on payment of hundred and
| twenty thousand dollars, of which
we've already paid sixty-two. I'll give
you the corporations receipt to me for
| that amount. And I give you my word
of honor not to step foot outside of the
| city of Syracuse, nor to be for one
| single hour out of your reach until
you've Investigated the whole PROPOSE
| ton from beginning to end. | insist
that you make that investigation.
| That's on condition that Rufus won't
| mention this again, either here or any
| where else, until he's collected the
| facts! And I'll tell you right now
| Rufus has given you the truth !"
my dear mani" Cullens tone was
conciliating. 1--WE know all that!
We've gone into this with our eyes
open. We're not buying productive
mine; we're buying a good prospect.
"Since 1 saw you last" billiards
| 70 ho
| it isn't as good as we hoped"
"There!" Warning was jubilant.
Listen to that, nowl What did 1 tell
| you?"
1--WE went into 1t with our eyes
OPEN" said Cullen, after a pause.
"You told US from the very first it
wasn't an absolute certainty-good
Lord. what business proposition ever
is? Besides" He sent flash of
scorn to Waring. II don't care who
knows where 1 stand on this deal or
any other. I don't buy properties:
back men. I'm banking on you, Hill
lard I'm putting my money back of
you. I'm counting on you to make
good-if that Montana thing falls
down cold, / know you'd make it right
with me-if I'd let you. But wouldn't.
When I'm sold, I'm sold for keeps, and
I'm sold on you. Pm taking the risk
just as you are. So
THANK you" billiards apprecia
tion was in the nature Of stiff bow.
I'm afraid you're exaggerating a lit
tie, though.
"Not one syllable!"
Hilliard was patiently grateful
"At any rate, I'm going to do as l
said you'll keep those things
as favor to me, won't you? AS Sc
curity, or evidence Of good faith, or
whatever you want to call it?'
Nonsense! For a fareup like thisi
Ridiculous!"
"But 1 insist" said Hilliard. "And
l want you to make an Investigation
thorough one" He smiled grimly;
Dicky Morgan was safe forever. II
know in advance what you'll find"
$50 do I. Oh, well, know how you
feel. If you want to be whitewashed,
I suppose I'll have to act as sort of
trustee for you--it's tommyrOt, but If
you want 1t, won't refuse. Send me
the stuff and I'll put it away for you
where it'll be safe. And Rufus here
-" They turned together to the law
student, who was deflantly AFFECT.
Rufus we're going to give you every
chance in the world to back up what
you've said, but If you can't" He
paused significantly.
"You let me do the investigating"
said Waring doggedly. "I'll get at the
foundation for you"
"Do it, and welcome This from
Hilliard. "I'll take Armstrong; report
If you will-or you can go just as
much further as you like"
Cullen had detected Warnings start
of establishment and chagrin, and his
interest quickened at the by-play.
"What's Jack Armstrong got to do
with it2"
eTo BE CoNrINUED)