Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-08-11
CHAPTER VI.-continued.

"You wish to tell me about that
Queen Bee gold mine stock, do you not,
Mr.. PattlngtOnf"
"Yes, yes"
II think you said you wanted thou
sand shures7-the last thousand. to be
exact"
81 said So"
Mr.. Quigg shook his large head, his
haggy eyes twinkllng. "Fm sorry. Mr.
Pattington. but I'm afraid you cant
have those thousand shares"
"What d'you meanT snapped the
pseudo-financier.
'ThIs gentleman"--wIth his cigar
Qulgg indicated the colorless man.
who, eyes wide, mouth agape, had
been swallowing whole every word
uttered-"is just about to buy EN-.
You see, Mr.. Pattington. an on 10
you eastern fellows. | know all about
your little game. was just telling
Mr.. Blake here about II. know you're
trying to get possession Of the Queen
Bee: | know you've had your secre..
agents assaying her: know you've
discovered what fat little chunk o.
gold she really Is. But Tn afraid you
can't have her. Mr.. Pattington. First.
because the Queen Bee people don't
want you eastern capitalists to own
the controlling interest: and, second.
because Mr. Blake here has spoken
FIRST. and. In fact. is just about TO nego-
tate for the purchase Of the remain.
ing thousand shares. Isn't that right,
NJ. Baker"
Qulgg fixed his ox-eye benevolently
upon the susceptible Blake. who moist
ened his lips, fingered his hat. looked
down. then Up. aud cleared his throat
IL guess" He hesitated. licket
his lips-and toSi the plunge witt
rush: "Yes, that's right MIR
Quigg. I'll take them thousand shares.
Fitzhugh. keenly awaiting furthel
cues, searched the grafters face In
tently, and though he received but /
bare flicker of an eyelash and th'
faintest suggestion OF a nod TOWARD
the door. II was sufficient. and with
Indignantly slamming the door behinC
him. For the benefit of those ir th'
outer room he again assumed his miei
Of boredom as he leisurely sauntereC
through and out in the corridor.
he boarded the elevator and ascend
ed to the top floor Of the building. BE
fore an office devoid of lettering ant
apparently unoccunled. he stopped
took hey from his pocket unlocked
the door, LET himself in and locked thu
door behind him. He removed hi
coat, hung It on a hook. placed hi
hat on the table and his gloves upol
the hat, then settled himself In tn,
chair and rested his feet on the steam
radiator. He lighted a cigar. exhale(
a swirl Of fragrant smoke. and tool
magazine from pile on the table
He had barely reaG the table of con
tents. however. before there was
tap at the corridor door and he ad
mitted messenger-boy. who handed
him an envelope and departed. Upor
reading the dispatch he tore the pape
60 small bits and hurried into the ad
Joining room. throwing or his YES
and loosening his tIe and collar a!
he ran.
In ten minutes he reappeared. He wa
completely metamorpnosed. Instea,
of the smart morning coat. he aet
wore a long tan -duster:" instead o
the stylish derby hat. he wore a broad
brlmmed yellow one; and he wore
soft flannel shirt with attached col
lar, and rough trousers and dust
shoes. Under one arm he carried
horsewhip. In fine. he was a typica
rancher. just arrived in Chicago wit
q load Of cattle and a big wallet 20
the thousand-dolIar bills. Even hi