The Dolores star., 1920-10-29
.uApTER xiil-contlnusd.

nruDtlnently, 81 u no' " t"e
|. Indescribab,e atmosphere which
i, clubmen understand and respect.
a. Doctor was scrutinizing the
an. billiard. who faced the window.
IN 4 glance over his shoulder. As
Nd fancied, the eyes Of the room
a., mon him. They reminded him.
ady enough. Of machine-gun batteries.
Enep at length the pair had gained
4. tsble nearest the window, Hil-
md felt that he had undergone
.,,uuous ordeal; he was consumed
erstItude to his implacable host.
n he had no inclination to repeat It.
The table d'hotes good enough for
said the Doctor presently. And
mr
and for me. too" said billiard.
Anything to drinkT
No. thanks"
The Doctor dropped the card and sat
D straighter.
well, / won't keep you In suspense
y want some advice. As I said, I'm
lhe worst business man In the world,
HIl!ard. I'm mere child in your
\ands-so please treat me tenderly."
Be regarded his companion with min
lied humor and seriousness. James
Cullen has been telling me about a
vonderful plan Of yours to make
Lce shiny gold eagle grow where only
oliver quarter grew before. In fact.
Ae talked so enthusiastically that he's
pt me thinking about 1t, too. &.
rather resent your not telling me
hbout II yourself"
billiard recOiled.
You shouldn't do thnt!" he said.
H.. ! wouldn't have tried to inter
est you in It, Doctor, because"
On, | can see your reasons" depre-
ated the Doctor, smillngly. "You
tidn't want TO trespass on a purely So
eal relationship. | appreciate that.
But the point is, I've got a few thou
and dollars don't exactly know what
TO do with. It's rather extraordinary
Mutation for professional man. isn't
~ I'll have to admit I'm puzzled about
v myself. And the novelty might lead
pe into temptation. So 1 thought I'd
lsk your advice"
You can have the best I've got"
nld Hilliard, averted. But I'm not
suaranteelng that 1t has much value,
Doctor"
The Doctor nodded: drummed on the
|hble.
do you ever let friendship inter-
iere with businessw
Often, sir"
VIII you let 1t interfere now-if
you think you're justitied?"
les Doctor. can promise
@at much, anyway"
Inc Doctor showed his approval.
wen, tell me perfectly frankly-is
yours the sort of proposition you'd let
man Invest in, II you knew he had
precious little money to lose? But IL
'ou also knew that he were quite will
Jug 10 take the same chance as the
festy
ni'''ard shook his head slowly, and
'0nohued to shake 1t as he replied.
can't say that 1t is. Doctor. On
ue contrary don't think it's that
VI, OF proposition at ALL" DR.. Dur
'A'A orows were contracted.
nut In the ordinary run Of COM
Iercc Hilliard-suppose the question
VI friendship didn't enter into this,
'uu hadn't brought up that subject
"ou,u you, In choosing your list of
,s',,, .sossrloers' and selecting the people
.vuu ike to have share the plan with
svu s,u put n man like myself on any
W. oliereht footing than James Cullen7
VI wouldn't you?"
DOCTOR Durant." Hilllard's voice
h. as SLOW, rs 1t possible you haven't
ss, .aiu me the criticism that's been
w.. around town about this syndi-
,hse. VI NINE? Haven't you heard that
on,. some question whether it's
quite sound?"
I'VE heard it-yes." The Doctor
'ss ~. amazingly Indifferent.
,,,, "ell-do you still think this is any
.on', . 10 discuss the possibility of your
"lnihg in with us?"
Ihe Doctors voice was strong. en-
eouraging. '
mi, .hlhk It's the best time, and the
,oa .lhe-for me. that is. I've lived
~ no. '0ns to be affected by chance ru-
pow % And besides. I've got the money
NJ. Du. are you sure you know what
~ -, aoouta The criticism, 1 mean"
IN s ron,t know anything about 1t at
nm ~ .aars exactly why I'm coming to
n ~ ior advice. You certainly ought
n. nsw % more about 1t than any one
,on. uoes. And, therefore, I'd take
umo, WORD for 1t before I'd take the
!. want to know IL you'll accept
MAJ, ~ one Of the members of your
NJ ro . gasped and pushed himself
aDoctorw ~
Tn way said DR.. Durant genially,
NJ. putting you at a great disadvan.
lot . KNOW that. But. as I said, I'm
m.. business man. have to be