The Harrison times., 1920-05-01
CHAPTER VII.

QAlESn W nv W as ulbllN anu III a 'AtANA
mood. The fraudulent specuator
swung round in his chair as Fitzhugh
entered growled a sullen Hello" and
after a momentary silence growled an
unpleasant "Wen|
Fitzhugh sat down and famed him
self leisurely with his Panama hat
1T bids fair to be a warm day" he
observed.
You know what l want" snarled
Quigg, rapping his desk with his
knuckles. "Where's my money"
"Oh"-Fitzhugh stopped tanning
put down his hat-"you mean the po-
ker money!"
"What about it? Where is it? What
have you done with it?"
NATURALLY, Quigg l played poker
with it,"
"And YOU doubled it too" The
CRATER leaned suddenly forward and
painted one of his short fingers in
Fitzhughs face But if this mancuyer
was calculated to frighten or confuse
its mission failed.
Fitzhugh smiled easily. 81 more
than doubled it. | more than tripled
it. l won eighteen thousand dollars"
Quigg jotted few figures on a cal
endar pad and held out his hand.
There's eleven thousand five hundred
coming to me. I'll take it now
FitZhugh shook his head smilingly.
I'm sorry" said he; "but I'm afraid
you'll do no such thing"
"What d'you mean?" Quigg half
rose from his chair, his pnffy eyes
blinking rapidly. you've got this
money, haven't yOu?"
Got it" Fitzhugh laughed. "Why,
Lord bless you, Quigg, haven't got
the price Of ham sandwich"
"Whatd you do with that money!
roared Quigg, smashing his fist against
the arm Of his chair. How could you
spend over twenty thousand dollars in
two days? You're lying to mew
Fitzhugh's breath whistled through
his nOstrils. He stood up quickly. His
face was very white. For the first
time he seemed In deadly earnest.
Don't talk too much," he advised
quietly. There are some things |
won't stand, and if you anger me I'm
liable to make that fat head of yours
look like a plum pudding. The mon
ey's tied up in speculation, if you want
to know. You have the choice Of two
things: YOU can either take an equal
chance with me in the speculation, or
you can take my note for what | owe
you. Which do you want?"
"Neitherw exploded Quigg. 81
wouldn't give a cent for any specula-
ton you'd make, or for your note
either. There's only one thing to do
with you. You've played me a dirty,
low-Gown trick, and I'm coming back
the best way | can. You're going to
work for me two months longer, and
you're going to work Cor nothing. III
see that you have place to eat and
sleep, but l won't promise more. At
the end Of those two months you're
going to clear out Of my sight, and
Lord help you if | ever see you again"
"Gentleman to see you, suh," an
nOunced the uniformed negro"
what name" growled QUgg.
Didn't give none, suh. Said he
wanted to see you about some Florida
orange groves"
Tell him am very busy but viii
see him in five minutes"
"Yes, suh.' The negro touched his
cap and departed.
The moment the door closed Quigg
keenly animated, swung round in his
revolving chair and spoke In a quick
voice to his lieutenant: you're
Fifth avenue resident. Newport,
Villa In France. Cotillon leader, So
ciety swell-all that. Recently you
bought fifty thousand acres OF Florida
land and turned them into a paradise
You're tired Of 1t now and want to
sell at great sacrifice. You follow
meW
I'm even ahead Of YOU answered
F2hugh, Then his demeanOr un-
dcrWent a complete change. His man
ner was now heavy with cnnui, and
his voice simpering when il drawIcd:
"Aw. really now, | cawnt! ! really
caWn't let II go for less than hawlf
what ! paid for it, The thing cost me
hawlr million, y'know, and ! really
should get three hundred th0usand,
because"
He dropped his mask MS suddenly ms
he had assumed 1t, and running the
thumbs and fOrchngers Of both hnnds
into his lower vest pockets, luIned
tb? Inning inside out.
He smiled; Because" said he, ~
hnyeu't a cent