The citizen., 1920-09-09

TO analyze II and couldn't.
The big man was breathing with dif.
hculty. II you go down and
no. that wouldn't do either.
! want 10 see him alone. I want 20
get him 10 call of his investigator, 80
when we begin n new campaign we
won't have any verified report against
us on the old"
mo. siri" Hllllnrd shook his head
smlllngly. I'm the man who's had 10
stand the gaff so far; I'm going TO be
In on any conferences. That's my
playT
Harmon licked his lips again and
swallowed repeatedly.
swell It's II you let
me do the talking then or :"
Hilllard turned back TO the trans
mitter.
"Ask him TO come right up" ne said.
lie replaced the instrument and looked
alarmedly at the broker. you're not
welli"
"Yes, am. Now let's get at
that contracti There's no sense talk
Ing business until that's Cancelled. Is
thereT"
As TIIlllard stared ut him an icy
wave Of suspicion swept him from
head 20 foot.
"whats your hurry1 It's my fu-
neral. isn't itT
"You are anxious, thought Har-
mon. /"
"No no hurry at all. Only
as long as Tn here and the
games played out as a favor
TO me let's cancel II. Where
is III I Good God, son. don't
you want that thing out Of the wayl
It's no good with an alias on i'll I'll
put up the money!"
A sharp rap on the door stopped him
short. Hllliard turned the knob; War
Ing and Mr.. Cullen burst In.
"why. Mr.. Cullenl" he said in as
tonishment. "They didn't tell me you
were herei Hello, Rufus"
"IIllliardr Cullen's face was red
and excited. "Oh. beg your pardon !"
lie had seen Harmon.
Hllllard, taken utterly by surprise.
began to phrase the introductions; he
had only just begun when Harmon in
errupted-Harmon with a set Jaw and
blazing cheeks. lie was standing by
the writing table. and one hand was
resting heavily upon II. His manner
was curiously apprehensive. curiously
desperate.
"Ahi Mr.. Cullen
most happy. Tn sure and Mr..
waring delightedi" His voice
was silken In It's throatiness. Gentle
men. ! have the honor 10 be presi-
dent Of the Sllverbow Mining
corporation :" He paused; his
hands weaved aimlessly. "Of Mon
tana. Gentlemen. i
hear there's been some adverse criti-
clsm OF our property you're
stockholders. I understand not
used to criticism :" He flung his
head erect "I offer you personally
. TO relieve you OF any
and all obligations and pay
back penny for penny" Here his knees
shook and he swayed appreciably. He
was holding himself upright only by
tremendous. visible effort.
'The mans sickl" Cullen stepped
toward him. Waring and Hilliard
were standing fascinated. The broker
warded OF Cullen with both hands.
"No. Tn not sickl Contract
calls for delivery OF ninety-nine per
cent OF capital stock on pay
ment OF hundred and twenty thou
sand dollars before December
Hrst. You've paid sixty-two
. I'm here case of dis
satisfaction TO write checks
for the full amount paid down to date
. release you :"
Release usY' Cullen all but yelled
II. and with a note Of exultation which
was electrical to Hilllard.
:" He sat down Imply. MY
Hilllard-for Gods sake,
get me my check-book All
at once he seemed to collapse; his
head hung low. and his breathing be-
came stertorous. His cheeks pulled
uueerly.
Hilliard sprang to him. "Rufusi
Call the officel Get the house doc
tori"
Cullen had raced to the bathroom
for a glass Of water; he raced back
Igain. spilling half Of It. Hilliard was
hating the brokers' wrists. The three
nen strained at the unwieldy. unresist-
ng bulk. while leaden fear clutched at
heir hearts.
The house physician hustled In to
Ind the broker lying on the bed in
'rofound coma; his renexes had gone
rom him he couldn't be reused. There
i