The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-07-02
CHAPTER xIll-continued.


to the ethics of mems club. He fal
tered on the very threshold; and i
any other man than DIR. Durant hat
been his sponsor, he would have fle(
1ncontinently, so as not to disturb tina
rare, indescribable atmosphere which
only clubmen understand and respect
The Doctor was scrutinizing thu
menu; Hilliard, who faced the window
threw glance over his shoulder. A
ne had fancied, the eyes of the room
were upon him. They reminded him
oddly enough, of machine-gun batteries
When at length the pair had gained
the table nearest the window, Hill
Hard felt that he had undergone 9
strenuous ordeal; he was consumed
fs5y gratitude to his implacable host
but he had no inclination to repeat it
1.-THE table d'hote's good enough fol
me-" said the Doctor presently. "And
your"
"And for me, too," said Hilliard.
Anything to drink?"
'No, thanks"
The Doctor dropped the card and sat
up straighter.
well, I won't keep you in suspense
Il want some advice. AS I said, Pm
the worst business man in the world,
billiard. Pm mere child in your
hands-so please treat me tenderly."
He regarded his companion with min
gled humor and seriousness. James
Cullen has been telling me about q
wonderful plan Of yours to make a
nice shiny gold eagle grow where only
silver quarter grew before. In fact,
he talked so enthusiastically that he's
got me thinking about 1t, too. (.
rather resent your not telling me
about it yourself"
Hilliard recoiled IL.
"You shouldn't do thatr" he said.
II -. l wouldn't have tried to inter
est you in it, Doctor, because"
"Oh, can see your reasons" depre-
Gated the Doctor, smilingly. "You
didn't want to trespass on purely So
cial relationship. 1 appreciate that.
But the point is, I've got a few thou
>Sand dollars don't exactly know what
to do with. It's a rather extraordinary
situation for professional man, isn't
1T? I'll have to admit I'm puzzled about
it myself. And the novelty might lead
me into temptation. So 1 thought I'd
ask your advice"
You can have the best I've got"
said Hilliard, averted. "But I'm not
guaranteeing that it has much value.
Doctor"
The Doctor nodded; drummed on the
table.
do you ever let friendship inter-
fere with business"
soften, sir"
"Will you let 1t interfere now-if
you think you're justified?"
Yes, Doctor. {. 1 can promise
that much, anyway"
The Doctor showed his approval.
"Well, tell me perfectly frankly-is
yours the sort of proposition you'd let
a man invest in, If you knew he had
precious little money to lose? But If
you also knew that he were quite will
ing to take the same chance as the
rest?
Hilliard shook his head slowly, and |
GEStinued to shake it as he replied.
81 can't say that it is, Doctor. On
the contrary don't think. it's that
sort of proposition at ALL" DR.. Dur
ants brows were contracted.
"But in the ordinary run of COM
merce, Hilliard-suppose the question
J of friendship didn't enter into this. |
i and l hadn't brought up that subject
would you, in choosing your list of |
subscribers, and selecting the people
you'd like to have share the plan with |
you, put man like myself on any
different footing than James Cullen?
Or wouldn't your"
Doctor Durant," billiards voice
was slow, "is it possible you haven't
heard me the criticism that's been
flying around town, about this syndi-
cate of mine? Haven't you heard that
there's some question whether it's
quite sound?"
I've heard it-yes." The Doctor
was amazingly Indifferent.
"Well-do you still think this is any
time to discuss the possibility of your
coming in with us?"
The Doctors voice was strong. en-.
81 think it's the best time, and the
only time-for me, that is. I've lived
~ long to be affected by chance ru-
mors. And besides, I've got the money
now"
"But are you sure you know what
it's all about? The criticism, mean"
II don't know anything about it at
all. That's exactly why I'm coming to
you for advice. You certainly ought
to know more about 1t than any one
else does. And, therefore, I'd take
your word for it before I'd take the
rumor. want to know if you'll accept
me as one of the members of your
syndicate"
Hilliard gasped and pushed himself
back from the table.
'Doctor!"
''In way" said DR.. Durant genially.
I'm putting you at a great disadvan-
tage-I know that. But, as said, I'm
not business man. / have to be
guided more or less by instinct. Your 8
business is to know all about these .
things. So I'm coming to you for your I
honest opinion, and know you'll give r
II TO me -. do you think I'm quite s
eligible?" Y
billiards. heart was in his mouth. n
"Why," he stammered, "at this par \
-icnla- time-I can't advise you" v
"Now, don't be too cautious" warned a
he Doctor. I'm not asking you if f