The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-06-10
CHAPTER vlIi-continued.


SIT doesn't pay" he muttered pres
emily, and opened his eyes in surprise
at his own voice. He added with firm
ness: ''No-nothing to it. 1t doesn't
pay
After a while he turned over and
went to sleep.
He was wide awake at nine and was
dressing two minutes after. He rang
for his man.
sect me morning newspaper" ne
said, when Haki appeared. land have
breakfast sent up"
For two weeks Fitzhugh had not
seen a newspaper. and when Haki 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. A
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 it 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
I'm 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
r. -
tering a hot roll and leaned suddenly
forward to read something that par
ticularly interested him.
It was about Quigg and Peevy.
Quigg had inaugurated his grand lit
tie mail-order scheme" and it had gone
swimmingly. But its flouriShing
growth was not unObserved by Uncle
Sans post Office boys and it had been
nipped before it bIoomed. In conse-
quence. the ambitious exponent of dis
illusionment and his unassuming col
league were now undergoing imprison-
ment.
Poor Quigg!" In spite of his sym
pathy, FitZhugh smiled. HE was q
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 check for you. Ninety
eight thousand dOllars-Oh. when did
you get back from the East, and how
is your brother?"
Fitzhugh f1icked the ash from his
cigarette and rolled it between his
long forefinger and thumb, studying
Its glowing end. After a pause he
said: 81 returned last night. by
brother is much Improved-aImost re
covered. in fact. When may 1 see you,
Hunt2"
Meet me at BurtOn's, at ten"
few incOnseQuentialities, and Hunt
''hung up" rather abruptly.
Although he was not quite positive.
Fitzhugh thought he detected in his
voice note of unnaturaIness, even of
unfriendIiness. 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,
u
question, and, when he thought he was
unnOticed, watching his co-operator
with sidelong chances of suspicion.
And Fitzhugh noted he was no longer
~Dan" to him. but ''Nr. Fitzhugh."
At last he could restrain himself no
longer.
"A1r. Fitzhugh." he began. apparent
ly 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 a
wire. and as didn't know your New
York address, 1 looked you up in the
New York directory. also looked you
up in rhe New York Blue Book and in
the New York Social Register and in
the New York Business Directory"
"Well?" said Fitzhugh quietly.
We'll, the fact is. I couldn't find you.
1 tried all the Fitzhaghs, from Aaron
to Zizah. but to no purpose. None Of
them knew you; none Of them had
ever heard OF you. It's a little singu-
Tar. isn't it2"
Fitzhugh looked down at him from
his superior height. He was smiling
engagingly. His eyes were as ingenu-
Gus as chiId's. 81 haven't any people
In New York, Hunt. / don't know a
soul in the town."
What! Why, then-by George, I
bet you're all bluff! 1 thought so.
You're not rich?"
'Rich?" Fitzhugh laughed. "Au I've
got In the world Is this check and a
thousand or so on deposit"
Hunt gaped at him dumbly. Al
though his worst suspicion had been
verified. he was none the less astound-
ed. He could not reconcile himself to
the staggering fact.
''Pll stop payment on that check
III"
"No. you won't. Hunt. You could
never prove that you're right and I
wrong-never. There was only an
oral agreement. you know. Besides,
gave you my check for twenty thou
sand when we planned the deal. 7
have the voucher in my pocket now.
Care to see it? No? All right. But,
you see, OF course, there's no chance
4fav. x,O,1 20