Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-10-08
CHAPTER VII.

tHe evening FllIluSn, lIHildculdteis
dressed, entered the private office of
Quigg, who was alone and In black
mood. The fraudulent Spectator
swung round in his chair as Fitzhugh
entered, growled sullen "Hello!" and
after a mOmentary silence growled an
unpleasant "Well?"
Fitzhugh sat down and famed him
self leisurely with his Panama hat.
1T bids fair to be warm day" he
observed.
you know what | want" snarled
Quigg, rapping his desk with his
knuckles "Where's my money!"
"Oh'--Fitzhugh stopped tanning,
put down his hat-"you mean the po-
ker money!"
"What about it? Where is it? What
have you done with it?'
Naturally, Quigg, played poker
with it,"
And you doubled it too The
CRATER leaned suddenly forward and
pointed one of his short fingers in
Fitzhugh's face. But If this maneuver
was calculated to frighten or confuse
it's mission failed.
Fitzhugh smiled easily 81 more
than doubled it. | more than tripled
it. | won eighteen thousand dollars"
Quigg jotted a few figures ON cal
endar pad and held out his hand.
There's eleven thousand five hundred
coming to me. I'll take it now"
FitZhugh shook his head smiingly.
I'm sorry" said he hut I'm afraid
you'll do no such thing"
What d'you mean?" Quigg half
rose from his chair, his puffy eyes
blinking rapidly. You've got, this
money, haven't youf"
Got it," Fitzhugh laughed. "Why
Lord bless you, Quigg. | haven't got
the price of Il ham sandwich"
.Whatd you do with that money!"
roared Quigg, smashing his fist against
the arm of his Chair. How could you
spend over twenty thousand dollars in
two days? You're lying to mel"
Ftzhugh's breath whistled through
his nostrils. He stood up quickly. His
face was very white. For the first
time he seemed in deadly earnest.
Don't talk too much," he advised
quietly. There are some things
won't stand, and If you anger me I'm
liable to make that fat head of yours
look like plum pudding. The mon
ey's tied up in speculation, if you want
to know. You have the choice of two
things: you can either take an equal
chance with me in the speculation, or
you can take my note for what owe
you. Which do you want?"
Neither" exploded Quigg. 81
wouldn't give u cent for any specula-
ton you'd make, or for your note
either. There's only one thing to do
with you. You've played me dirty,
low down trick. and I'm coming Back
the best way | can. You're going to
work for me two months longer, and
you're going to work for nothing. I'll
see that you have place to eat and
sleep but | won't promise more At
the end of those two months you're
going to clear out of my sight. and
Lord help you If ever see you again -
"Gentleman to see you, suh" an
nounced the uniformed negro"
what name2" growled Quigg.
Didn't give none, sub. Said he
wanted to see you about some Florida
orange groves
Tell him | am very busy but will
see him in five minutes"
yes, sub" The negro touched his
cap and departed.
The moment the door closed Quigg,
keenly animated, swung round in his
revolving chair and spoke in quick
voice to his lieutenants You're u
Fifth avenue resident. Newport
Villa in France. Cotillon leader, So
eiety swell-all that. Recently you
| bought fifty thousand acres of Florida
land and turned them into paradise.
You're tired of it how and want to
sell at a great sacrifice. You follow
mef'
I'm even ahead of von." answered
Fitzhugh. Then his demeanor UNI
derWenl complete change His man
nef WIS now heavy with ennnf. and
his voice sinpering when it drawled .
AN, really, now. | cawn't really
! eaNnt let II 20 for less than hawlf
what | paid for it. The thing cost me
hawlf million, y'know and | really
/ should get three hundred thousand.
/ because"
lie dropped his mask as suddenly as
he had assumed it, and running the
! thumbs aud forefingers of both hands
| into his lower vest pockptS turned
the lining inside out.
lie smiled: "Because," said he. 81
haven't II cent"
|
| Ihese Mere frenzied dug In In.