The Ordway new era., 1920-09-17
CHAPTER xiIi-continued.

any other man than DR.. Durant had
been his sponsor. he would have fled
incontinently, so as not TO disturb that
rare. indescrlbable atmosphere which
only clubmen understand and respect.
The Doctor was scrutinizing the
menu (: Hilliard. who faced the window.
threw o glance over his shoulder. AS
he had fancied. the eyes of the room
were upon him. They reminded him.
oddly enough. OF machine-gun batteries.
When at length the pair had gained
the table nearest the window, Hill
Hard felt that he had undergone a
strenuous ordeal: he was consumed
by gratitude to his implacable host,
but he had no inclination to repeat 1t.
"rhe table d'hote's good enough for
me-" said the Doctor presently. "And
your"
"And for me. too" said Hiliard.
"Anything to drlnkT''
mo. thanks"
The Doctor dropped the card and sat
up straighter.
"Well. l won't keep you in suspense
Il want some advice. AS l said. Pm
the worst business man in the world,
Hilllard I'm a mere child in your
hands-so please treat me tenderly."
He regarded his companion with min
gled humor and seriousness. James
Cullen has been telling me about
wonderful plan of yours to make
nice shiny gold eagle grow where only
silver quarter grew before. In fact,
he talked so enthusiastically that he's
got me thinking about IT, too.
rather resent your not telling me
about It Yourself"
Hllliard recoiIed.
You shouldn't do that" he said.
81 =. wouldn't have tried to Inter
est you In II, Doctor, because"
"oh, can see your reasons" depre-
cnted the Doctor, smlllngy. you
didn't want to trespass on purely So
cial relationship. 1 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 professional man. isn't
1t? I'll have to admit I'm puzzled about
1t 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 Hilliard. 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-
fere with business?"
"Often. sir"
"WIll you let 1t interfere now-If
you think you're justified?"
"Yes. Doctor. can promise
that much, anyway"
The Doctor showed his approval.
swell. tell me perfectly frankly-is
yours the sort of proposition you'd let
a man Invest In, II you knew he had
precious little money to lose? But II
you also knew that he were quite will
Ing to take the same chance as the
rest?"
Hllliard shook his head slowly. and
continued to shake 1t as he replied.
Il can't say that 1t is. Doctor. On
the contrary-I don't think it's that
sort of proposition at ALL" DR.. Dur
ants brows were contracted.
.'But in the ordinary run of COM
p,ercc, Hilliard-suppose the question
of friendship didn't enter into this,
and | 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 man like myself on any
different footing than james Cullen?
Or wouldn't your"
Doctor Durant," billiards. voice
was slow, "is 1t possible you haven't
heard 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 soundf"
''Tve heard it-yes." The Doctor
was amazingly Indifferent.
"Well-do you stiIl think this is any
time to discuss the possibility of your
coming in with us?"
The Doctors voice was strong, en-
couragng.
II 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 what
it's all about2 The criticism. | mean"
II don't know anything about 1t at
all. That's exactly why I'm coming to
you for advice. You certainly ought
to know more about It than any one
else does. And, therefore, I'd take
your word for 1t before I'd take the
rumor. l want to know II you'll accept
me as one Of the members of your
syndicate"
Hilliard gasped and pushed himself
back from the table.
"Doctorl !"
"m way" said Dr. Durant genlally,