The Raymer enterprise., 1920-11-11
CHAPTER xiil-contInued.

oddly enough. OF machlne-gun batteries.
When at length the pair had gained
the table nearest the window. Hi.
Hard felt that he had undergone a
strenuous ordeal; he was consumed
By gratitude to his lmplacable host,
but he had no inclination to repeat 1t.
'..The table d'hote's good enough for
me-" said the Doctor presently. "And
your
"And for me. too." said u.lliard.
Anything to drinkT'
mo. thanks"
The Doctor dropped the card and sat
up straighter.
swell. I won't keep you 10 suspense
II want some advice. As said. I'm
the worst business man in the world.
Hilliard. I'm 4 mere child in your
hands-so please treat me tenderiy." !"
He regarded his companion with min.
gled humor and seriousness. "James
Cullen has been telling me about a
wonderful plan Of yours to make a
nice shiny gold eagle grow where only
silver quarter grew before. In fact,
be talked so enthusiastically that he's
got me thinking about It. too. .
rather resent your not telling me
about It YOURSELF"
Hilllard recoiled.
"Y0u shouldn't do thnt!" he said.
II E. wouldn't have tried to inter.
est you In II. Doctor. because"
"Oh, ! can see your reasons" depre-
Gated the Doctor, smllIngly. "You
didn't want to trespass on purely So
clal relationship. appreciate that.
But the point is, I've got q few thou
sand dollars don't exactly know what
to do with. It's rather extraordinary
situation for professional man. isn't
jt3 III have to admit I'm puzzled about
II myself. And the novelty might lead
me Into temptation. So ! thought I'd
ask your advice"
"You can have the best I've got"
said Hilliar,l, averted. But I'm not
guaranteeing that II has much value.
Doctor"
The Doctor nodded; drunmed on the
table.
"Do you ever let friendship inter-
fere with businessi'
soften. SIR"
"WIll you let It interfere now-if
you think you're justinedr
"Yes. Doctor. can promise
that much. anyway"
The Doctor showed his approval.
swell. tell me perfectly frankly-Is
yours the sort Of proposition you'd let
a man invest In. II you knew he hnd
precious little money to lose? But II
you also knew that he were quite will
Ing to take the same chance as the
rest?"
HillIard shook his head slowly, and
continued to shake It as he replied.
u can't say that It Is. Doctor. On
the contrnry-l don't think It's that
sort Of proposition at ALL" DR.. Dur
ants brows were contracted.
"But In the ordinary run Of COM
nerce. HillInrd-suppose the question
Of friendship didn't enter into this,
and ! 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 Cullen7
Or wouldn't your
doctor Durant." HIlliard's voice
was slow, rs 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 sound7"
SI'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 us7"
The Doctors voice was strong, en-.
couraging.
II think It's the best time, and the
only tlme-for me. that Is. I've lived
too long to be affected by chance ru-
mors. And besides. I've got the money
now."
"But are you sure you know what
lt's oil aboutf The criticism. mean"
II don't know anything about 1t at
ail That's exactly why I'm coming to
you for advice. You certainly ought
to know more about II than any one
else does. And, therefore. I'd take
your word for II before I'd take the
sumor. want to know II you'll accept
mo % one Of the members Of your
syndicate"
dilliafd sasped and pushed himself
bact from the table.
sDoctori~
I'm Z way" said DR.. Durant gsnially.
sTm putting you at great disadvan-
tags-I know that But % said, Tm
81 buslness man. ] have TO Be
euided more or less BY instinct Your
tsalseS y = hDsw ~ absut thsss