The Harrison times., 1920-05-08
CHAPTER Vul.-continued.
ii

IL
1T doesn't pay" ne muttored pres
entity and opened hi, eyes In surprise
at his own voice. He added with firm
ness: "No-nothing TO 1t. 1t doesn't
pay"
After q while he turned over and
went to ~'eep.
lie was wide awake at nine and was
dressing two minutes after He rang
for his man.
Get me Il morning newspaper he
said, when HaN appeared, "ud have
breakfast sent up"
For two weeks FitZhugh had not
seen Il newspaper, and when HaH re-
turned with one he Snatched it from
him and turned to the financial page
with a nervous excitement he rarely
permitted himself to display. \
glance at the market quotations suf-
feed to show him that December
wheat had taken a gigantic tumble,
just as he had predicted fifteen days
ago it would
Folding the paper and tossing 1t on
the dining table, he sat down and com
puted his winnings. Deducting every
possible outlay and expense, there was
now due to him something like one
hundred thousand dollars. By the time
he had finished his computation an ap-
petizing breakfast was spread before
him and thruSting pencil and envelope
in his pocket he fell to with a relish.
He propped the paper against the
shining coffee pot and as he ate ran
an eye over the headlines. Presently
he paused midway in the act Of but
tering a hot roll and leaned suddenly
forward to read something that par
ticularly interested him.
1t was about Quigg and Peevy,
Quigg had inauguruted his grand lit
tie mail-0rder scheme" and it had gone
swlmmingly. But its fourishing
growth was not ulobseryed by Uncle
Sans post office boys and it had been
nipped before it bloomed. In conse-
quence, the ambitious exponent of dis
iIlusionment and his unassuming col
league were now undergoing imprison-
ment.
Poor Quigg" In spite of his SYM
pathy, Fitzhugh smiled. "IIe was a
pretty good sort, after ALL"
Directly after his breakfast he went
to his study and called Hunt on the
telephone.
Good morning, Mr.. Fitzhugh," came
promptly over the wire. "Eh?
Yes; have a check for you. Ninety
eight thousand dollars-Oh when did
you get back from the East, and how
is your brother|
Fitzhugh ticked the ash from his
cigarette and rolled it between his
long forefnger and thumb, studying
its glowing end After a pause he
said: 81 returned last night. My
brother is much improyed-almost re-
covered in fact. When may l see you,
Hunt?'
Meet me at Burtons at ten"
A few inconsequentialities and Hunt
chung up" rather abruptly.
Although he was not quite positive,
Fitzhugh thought he detected in his
voice note of unnaturalness, even of
unfriendineSs. He seemed too polite,
too precise. At Burton's these suppo-
SitionS were made Certainties. Hunt
acted in a very unwonted manner.
After delivering the ninety-eight thou
sand dollars he fell strangely silent,
speaking only when asked a direct
question, and, when he thought he was
unn0ticed, watching his co-operator
with sidelong ganceS Of suspicion.
And Fitzhugh noted he was no longer
Dan" to him. but "Mr, Fitzhugh."
At last he could restrain himself no
longer.
"AIr Fitzhugh," he began, apparent
Iy absorbed in the study Of his finger
nails. 81, era funny thing happened
while you were away. A few days
after you left | wanted to send you q
wire, and as | didn't know your New
York address, looked you up in the
New York directory | also looked you
up in the New York Blue Book and in
the New York Social Register and in
the New York Business Directory
"Wel?" said Fitzhugh quietly,
"Well, the fact Is, couldn't find you.
! tried all the Fit2hughS, from Aaron
to Zizah, but to no purpose. None of
them knew YOU none Of them had
ever heard Of you. It's little sngu-
lar, isn't It"
Fitzhugh looked down at him from
his superior height He was smiling
engagingly. His eyes were as ingenu-
Gus as Il chld's. 81 haven't any people
In New York, Hunt. ! don't know Il
soul in the town.
"What! Why, then--by George,
bet you're all bluff! l thought so,
You're not rIch?'
"Rlch" Fit2hugh laughed "All I've
got IN the world is this check and a
thousand or so on Deposit
Hunt gapod at him dumbly, Al.
though his worst suspicion had been
verified. he was none the less astound.
cd. lie could not reconcile himself ia
the staggering fact.
"Tn stop payment on that check