Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-02-21
Copyright by pood Mead q Co. Inc

The very first passenger to reach
the platform was Harmon; indeed. he
had been fretting In the vestibule for
half an hour. intent on saving a use
less fraction OF a second when the
train stopped. At sight Of Hilliard, he
beamed beneficently-all his earlier
belligerence forgotten.
"Hello!" he said. "Glad to see you,
son. Got all my messages, did your"
He shook hands with great urban
ity; billiards. grasp was hardly re-
sponsive.
II got three" said billiard. digni-
fled and noncommittal; and he con-
tinued to inspect his employer with
ill-concealed disfavor and ~distrust.
well, that's all sent. Now, where
can we go sit down and talk, for q
couple OF hours There's q lot to go
over, but l want to take the 9:4O
west. Not to the Onondago- I'd
rather go somewhere quieter. How
about the KIRK"
Suits me all right II it does you"
Amy luggage?" They were crossing
the tracks to the waitins.room; and
Hilliard, in spite of himself couldn't
refrain from the solicitude which any
right-minded resident Of city feels
for the transient just arrived.
Only this Gladstone. l can check
that here. guess. Well, I'm GER
tainly glad to see you. Say, were
you able to make date with this
Waring person? It was pretty short
notice, but you're such a live wire"
Hilllard. fully comprehending the
nature of the compliment, smiled
family. The person of the broker
was physically repulsive to him; un-
consciously he edged further away.
mot yet. But I've left word at
his house for him to call me at the
hotel, and III telephone to the infor-
nation clerk from the Kirk where he
can reach me. He's sure to be in
around five or half past"
II hope So" Harmon swung his
heavy bag to the brass-lined coun-
ter, and tossed out a dime with a
philanthropic gesture which made the
attendant glare at him. Who in
thunder is he, anyhow"
billiard had reason to be reticent
with his facts, and he preferred not
to be too specific at the outset.
Hes law student-an old friend
of the Cullens. He's looking after
some OF their interests, in one way
and another" u
"Oh? Working up practice! Well!
the way he's bombarding me with
fresh letters. you'd think he was on
congressional Investigating COM
mittee! Say! There's one thing I'd
like to find out-how'd he know I'm
in the thing? You didn't tell any.
body, did you? Our agreement"
Hf1liard was guiding him to the
street.
why, he probably got hold of
your name when he wrote to some
law correspondents Of his in Butte
about the property; and they looked
1t UP for him. I'd Judge they must
have gone into 1t rather thoroughly"
"They did! Hump" The brokers'
tone held less Of rancor and more
disappointment than Hflliard would
have expected. "And they made an
unfavorable report on it, did they?"
Unfortunately, for you, they did
-. as you very well know"
Harmon turned on him sharply.
What do you mean unfortunately
for me'?'
Hiliard turned into a wide door
day.
1--WE go in here (. Why, it puts
the quietue on any : last hope Of
yours. that there's still some busi-
ness to be done in Syracuse, doesn't
It? should think that's about as
plain as daylight"
Harmon's brows went up.
wv h a tt" he said, and then,
promptly, "Oh, yes-of course. But
you've been such a live wire from
start to finish, thought the harder
the proposition, the better you'd"
"Oh, don't make me wish hadn't
taken the trouble. to meet you'll"
snapped billiard. He slipped into
the, first unoccupied booth; Harmon
followed him stupidity. 1.-THE things
done for. and you know it. Don't
act 50 innocent, Mr.. Harmon-it isn't
becoming to you. and it isn't helpful
to me. We are in a position to talk
English, should imagine." \
Harmon's eyes were very small and
bright.
Whats he been saying around
here7"
Saying it's a fake promotion. What
else would he say? He's quite INTEL
ligent, That's why It's unfortunate
for you, and that's why we don't
need to fool ourselves any further
isn't it."
AS Harmon removed his hat, no ap-
peared to be somewhat warmer than
tho temperature warranted. His
round face was now preternaturally
blank; 3but his urbanity had increas-
ed until he was on the verge Of fawn-
Ing.
$50 he's been giving out a pretty
bad story, has he?"
only the bare facts. And If you
don't know it already, I'll tell you
that he's got representative out
there on tho ground, SO that
Harmon bit his lip. when did this
happen2"
Nearly q week ago. IT'S about time
to hear from him, and then the goose
will be cooked"
The broker reflected diligently.
Haven't seen him today, have
your 4
mo; not for nearly q week"
Harmon sat back. and massaged
his forehead bsent-1nindedly.
! 'Well-has this made much dif-
ference to your. NJ
"How could Il help IT." Efilliard
yrimaced. "rhis isn't New York cfty.
~ deaf and N,,y,oh a o,,l,,n, News