Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-02-23
HoLwoRTHv HALL
cepyrloht by Decd Mead Z CO. Inc

In his fcverish Joy Hilliard was
willing to ignore the obvious fact
that the brokers' repentance was con-
siderably overdue. and that 1t was
founded on expediency and not on
principle. The thought Of working
longer for Harnon--even II the Sc
curities he had to sell in future were
most conservative-filled him with
nausea: but II that were the only way
to save the situation how could Hill
lizard decline7 How IN his duty to
himself. could he refuse to work again
for Harmon, IL this wep the only
means to save his friends their money
already lost? He felt his veins throb-
bling to his agitation.
us is that bona fide Of
fer?" he faltered. Harmon's hand
slapped the table for emphasis.
straight as string. To tell the
truth you're sort of on my conscience.
You're with me? All right! Then as
far as I'm concerned the contracts
Cancelled here and now. Got 1t with
you?"
mol"
The brokers face darkened. where
Is it?'
Hilliard was dieinclined to tell how
and why ne had intrusted 1t to Gull
len. 'Tts SAFE" he said. He could
hardly contain himself; he looked
at Harmon, trying faithfully to re-
concile the man and his appearance
and his principles, and he failed
but here was the great reality con-
fronting him-and the millionth
chance had magically come true. 1t
was warped honesty but 1t was
honesty no less.
Harmon licked his lips.
"Well, we'll clean up the whole
transaction today and start with
new deal. That's settled. Oh, don't
carry on like that. Hilliard-Now
about this chap, Waring-"
"Oh, You still want to see him. do
your"
Harmon hesitated. Sure! Give
him little surprise. Ell? If he's the
man who's been bombarding us We'll
spike his guns first-What?" He
laughed noisily and Hilliard was al
most too excited to dislike the laugh.
Don't bother to telephone the On
daga; wen just walk over"
But thought you wanted to stay
away from there?" Hilliard was dis
playing many OF the symptoms Of In
toxication.
"Oh, not when everything's going
along so smooth and nice! We can
go up there and be just as private as
anywhere else"
Accordingly, and to the chagrin Of
q towering waiter, they quilted
their booth and went out to the
open air. They reached the Onon-
daga; they arrived at the mexzan-
Inc floor; they were safe in billiards
apartment.
"MyF said Harmon loosely. II
wish could afford to live like this1
But you've got q rich hacker. and I
haven't" He rubbed his hands in
great good nature; his eyes were
sparkling and his fat body was
a-quiver with vanity. well. the
first thing to do Where did you
say you keep that contract Of ours
hidden?"
us there any hurry about that
now?" Hilliard was fairly beside
himself with Joy.
well" The sudden whirr of
the telephone buzzer seemed to ruff
fle the brokers' nerves, for he started
violently. Who's that?"
"Jut a moment. !. - billiard
took down the receiver. "Yes?"
Yes! Oh, yes. have him
no; hold the wire" He beckoned
hilariously to Harmon. warnings
downstairs now! You're ready to
see him. aren't you?"
The broker was suddenly plunged
Into uncertainty.
"Yes-no! MOI"
whats wrong?" Hilliard was Wis
tied by an unwelcome chill; he tried
to analize It and couldn't.
The big man was breathing with
'difhculty. 4 you go down and
no. that wouldn't do either
want to see him alone. I want to
get him to call or his Investigator,
so when we begin a new campaign
we won't have any verified report
against us on the old"
mo, sir!" Hilliard shook his head
smilingly. Tn the man who's had to
stand the gaff SO far; I'm going to
she in on any conferences. That's
my play!"
Harmon licked his lips again and
swallowed repeatedly.
Well ~. !. it's : If you let
me do the talking then ~. or !"
Hillard turned back to the trans
mitter.
Ask him to come right up" he
said. He replaced the instrument
and and looked alarmedly at the
broker You're not sweli&"
Yes. I am. i Now let's get at
the contract There's no sense talk
ing business until thars cancelled. is
there?"
AS billiard stared at him an icy
wave Of suspician swept him from
head to foot.
What's your hurry? It's my fu-
neral. isn't it9.,s
'You are anxious. tho. Harmon.
T." s-
NO no hurry At allS Only
as long as I'm here and the
games played out !. as a favor
to me let's cancel 1t. Where
Is It? .. Good God, son, don't
you want that thing out OF the way?
It's no good with al, alias on It! I'll
put up the money!"
"A sharp rap on the door stopped
/ -. A vve -. fN-t.~ - = |
Waring and Mr.. Cullen burst In
Why. Mr. Cullenl" he said in as
constituent. "They didn't tell me
you were herel Hello Rufus"
"Hilliard!" Cullens face was red |