Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1920-05-13
CHAPTER xiil-Continued.

tan'S sensitiveness to the spirit and
to the ethics of mems club. He fall
tered on the very Threshold and if
any other man than DR.. Durant had
been his sponsor, he would have fled
. incontinently, so as not to disturb that
rare, indescribable atmosphere which
only clubmen understand and respect.
The Doctor was scrutniZng the
menu; Hilliard, who faced the window,
threw a glance over his shoulder. AS
he had fancied, the eyes of the room
we're upon him. They reminded him,
bS1ly enough, of machine-gun batteries,
when at length the pair had gained
the table nearest the window, Hill
lard felt that he had undergone
strenuous ordeal; he was consumed
: by gratitude to his implacable host,
hut he had no inclination to repeat it.
1.-THE table d'hOte's good enough for
toe" said the Doctor presently. And
your"
sand for me, too" said Hilliard.
"Anything to drink"
"NO, thanks"
up straighter.
..,"Well, l won't keep you in suspense
Il want some advice. AS l said, Pm
I The worst business man in the world,
iillisrd. I'm mere child in your
taDds--so please treat me tenderly."
He regarded his companion with min
Eled humor and seriousness. James
Cullen has been telling me about
wonderful plan of yours to make
uice shiny gold eagle grow where only
silver quarter grew before. In fact,
he talked so enthusiastically that he's
EOt me thinking about ct, too.
Gather resent your not telling me
about it Yourself"
billiard recOiled
"You shouldn't do that!' he said.
y l wouldn't have tried to inter-
est you in it, Doctor, because-T
"Oh, l can see your reasons" depre-
Gated the Doctor, smilingly. "You
didn't want to trespnss on a purely So
rlal relationship. l appreciate that.
But the point is, I've got few thou
sand dollars | don't exactly know what
to do with. It's a rather extraordinary
situation for a professional man, isn't
it? I'll have to admit I'm puzzled about
it myself. And the novelty might lead
me into temptation. SO l thought I'd
ask your advice
you can have the best I've got"
said billiard, averted. "But I'm not
guaranteeing that it has much value,
Doctor"
The Doctor nodded; drummed on the
table.
"Do YOU ever let friendship inter-
tere with business?"
"Often, sir"
"Will YOU let 4 interfere now-if
you think you're 1ustifed?"
Yes, Doctor l can promise
that much. anyway"
The Doctor showed his approval
"Well, tell me perfectly frankly-is
yours the sort of proposition you'd let
a man invest in, if you knew he had
precious little money to lose? But if
you also knew that he were quite will
Ing to take the same chance as the
reSt?'
billiard shook his head slowly, and
continued to shake it as he replied.
II can't say that it is, Doctor. On
the contrary-I don't think it's that
sort of proposition at ALL" DR.. Dur
Snt'S brows We're contracted.
'But in the ordinary run of COM
Dierce, Hilliard-suppOSe the question
OF friendship didn't enter into this,
and l hadn't brought up that subject
would you, in choosing your list of
subscribers, and selecting the people
you'd like to have share the plan with
you, put a man like myself on any
different footing than James Cullen?
Or wouldn't your
Doctor Durant" billiards. voice
@as slow, "is IT possible you haven't
aeard me . the criticism that's been
flying around town about this syndi.
cate of mine? Haven't you heard that
there's some question whether it's
quite sound"
'I've heard it-yes." The Doctor
was amazingly indifferent.
"Wel-do you still think this is any
time to discuss the possibility of your
coming in with us?"
The Doctors voice was strong, en-
cOuraging.
81 think it's the best time, and the
only time-fOr me, that is. I've lived
too long to be affected by chance ru
mOrs. And besides, I've got the money
now"
"But are you sure you know wha
It's all about? The criticism, mean
81 don't know anything about it a
all. That's exactly why I'm coming t.
you for advice. You certainly ough
to know more about it than any on
else does. And, therefore, I'd taxi
your word for 1t before I'd take tn,
rumor. want to know If you'll accep
me as one of the members Of you
syndicate"
billiard gasped and pushed himsel
back from the table.