The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-05-20
CHAPTER vt-contInusd.

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"You wish to tell me about that
Queen Bee gold mine stock, do you not,
Mr.. Pattington?"
"Yes. yes"
81 think you said you wanted thou
sand shares?-the last thousand. to be
exact"
az said SOL
Mr.. Quigg shook his large head, his
baggy eyes twinkling. I'm sorry, Mr..
Pattington, but I'm afraid you can't
have those thousand shares"
what d'you mean?" snapped the
pseudo-financier.
"This gentleman"-with his cigar
Quigg indicated the colorless man.
who, eyes wide, mouth agape, had
been swallowing whole every word
uttered-''is just about to buy 'em.
You see. Mr.. Patdngton, IN on to
you eastern fellows. know all about
your little game. 1 was just telling
Mr.. Blake here about 1t. know you're
trying to get possession of the Queen
Bee; 1 know you've had your secret
agents asSaying her; I know you've
discovered what fat little chunk o.
gold she really is. But I'm afraid you
can't have her, Mr.. PattingtOn. First,
because the Queen Bee people don't
want you eastern capitalists TO own
the controlling interest; and, second,
because Mr.. Blake here has spoken
first, and, in fact, is just about to nego-
tate for the purchase Of the remain
ing thousand shares. Isn't that right,
Mr.. Baker
Quigg fixed his ox-eye benevolently
upon the susceptible Blake, who moist
ened his lips, fingered his hat. looked
down, then up. and cleared his throat.
CT guess" He hesitated, licked
his lips-and took the plunge with
q rush: Eyes, that's right Mr.
Quigg. I'll take them thousand shares -
Fitzhugh, keenly awaiting further
cues, searched the grafter's face in
tently, and though he received but a
bare flicker Of an eyelash and the
faintest suggestion Of a nod toward
the door, 1t was sufficient, and with
no other comment he turned and left
Indignantly slammiHg the door behind
him. For the benefit Of those In the
outer room he again assumed his mien
OF boredom as he leisurely Sauntered
through and out In the corridor.
He boarded the elevator and ascend
ed to the top floor Of the building. Be
fore an Office devoid of lettering and
apparently unOccupied, he stopped,
took a key from his pocket, unlocked
the door, let himself In and locked the
door behind him. He removed his
7In h4c
hat on the table and his gloves upon
the hat, then settled himself In the
chair and rested his feet on the steam
radiator. He lighted a cigar, exhaled
q swirl Of fragrant smoke, and took
a magazine from a pile On the table.
He had barely read the table OF con-
tents, however, before there was a
tap at the corridor door, and he adj
mitted a messenger-boy. who handed
him an envelope and departed. Upon
reading the dispatch he tore the paper
to small bits and hurried into the adj
Joining room, throwing of his vest
and loosening his tie and collar as
he ran.
In ten minutes he reappeared. He was
completely metamorphosed. Instead
Of the smart morning coat, he now
wore long tan "duster::" instead Of
the stylish derby hat, ne wore bread
brimmed yellow one; and he wore a
soft flannel shirt with attached col
lar. and rough trousers and dusty
shoes. Under one arm he carried a
horsewhip. In fine, he was a typical
rancher. just arrived in Chicago with
load OF cattle and a big wallet for
the tAs1SaRddoIlar bills Even his