The Raymer enterprise., 1920-11-04


he met male acquaintance; he
couldn't deny that the greeting Of his
bankers was suddenly less informal,
more lmpersonal; he perceived. with q
sinking spasm Of foreboding, that
fewer people stopped to chat with him
on the street and that those who still
were willing to halt and pass the time
Of day were uncommonly restive about
II. Syracuse hadn't yet arrayed itself
officially against him. and a part OF
Syracuse was outwardly as pleasant as
ever. but there wasn't the slightest
question that the story had leaked out.
and that It had got itself adherents.
The end was plainly In sight; Arm
strong's report was due. Only the Cul.
lens and the Durants and one or two
other Of the James street families were
quite as cordially attentive as former
ly; and to billiards vast chagrin. they
rather overdid 1t he seemed to
feel In the steady warmth Of their
friendship a sort Of blIndly unseason.
able resolution to support him. whether
or no. This. Infinitely more than the
cooling manner Of the majority. CALLED
him necessarily. 1t was US though
they rallied to his defense before the
need Of II 1t was rs though they
conceded In advance the necessity Of
such defense.
So Hilliard waited, waited
smiling upon the world his hollow
smile, carrying through the city the
body Of knave and the face Of a
martyr and the soul Of gentleman
and In the watches Of the night,
he was perplexed to find that his eyes
were sometimes wet. but never when
he was thinking Of himself-always
when he was thinking of Angela. OF
Carol. or-unexplainably-of a COM
mon-enough representative Of the
French bourgeoisie named Pierre Du'
tout.
On the eighth day, he chanced ia
meet DR.. Durant by accident in from,
of the Physicians building at nigh noon
Hello. therel You're just In time
said the Doctor. cheerfully. "rm 90
ing over to the University club fol
lunch. Won't you join me? l want
your advice. I'm the worst business
man In the world-you probably know
that by this time. And l trust my
friends for friendship; but when
want advice, go to an expert. Sc
you qualify on both counts. Come
along over"
Hilliard was flattered, but not de
ceived.
"I'm not sure that my advice |.
worth anything half as expensive as
luncheon. Doctor"
The older man took him by the arm
and impelled him across the street.
THAT depends on your appetite" HI
laughed. "Come along. and help mt
out on a decision I've got to make
About an investment"
Hilliard hung back for moment
while suspicion dawned on him.
what sort Of investment, Doctor?'
he queried.
"You come and sit down." urged thu
Doctor, seductively. "And we'll tall
1t over later. But first Of all" HI
patted his waistcoat. Lets eat"
Hilllard was almost too grateful t.
speak; the Doctors strategem was pat
ent. but in all chivalry the invitation
couldn't be declined. Once inside th'
doors Of the club. however. he becam,
panlcky; for his first sweeping recon
noissance included half dozen met
whose late behavior had indicated tha
they knew.
The Doctor drew Hilliard under th'
mantle Of his own unassailable posi-
ton. and plowed ahead with the uenos
serenity. He nodded here and there
he spoke to members right and left; HI
bowed across the room; always hi.
personality. rather than his person
seemed to be escorting and gnardin,
HillIard and Syracuse couldn't decline
to acknowledge a man who was unde
the Doctors adequate protection. Thos'
who smoke 10 the Doctor also spoke (,
Hilliard; there was no way out Of II
and they spoke as casually as the!
could. They also nodded to him, ant
bowed. but when his back was turned
they became low-voiced and communi
catlve. and he knew It.
CTo BE coNTINUEDJ