The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-23

that all say is really to the point. |
have a professional commission for
you, but absolute secrecy is quite es-
sential-absolute secrecy, you under
stand, and of course we may expect
that more from man who is alone
than from one who lives in the bosom
of his family
. If promise to keep a secret said
|, you may absolutely depend upon
my doing So
He looked very hard at me as II
spoke, and it seemed to me that had
never seen so suspicious and ques-
tioning eye.
do you promise them said he, at
last
Yes, promise
Absolute and complete silence be-
/ fore. during and after? No reference
to the matter at all, either in word or
writing?'
- have already given you ny
word
VERY good He suddenly sprang
up. and darling like lightning across
/ the room, he flung open the door. The
lpassage outside was empty.
| That's all right, said he, coming
back. 1 know that clerks are some
times curious as TO their masters al
| fairs. Now we can talk in safety He
drew up his chair very close to mine,
and began to stare at me again with
the same questioning and thoughtful
look
"A feeling of repulsion, and of
something akin to fear had begun to
rise within me at the strange antics
of this fleshless man. Even my dread
of losing a client could not restrain
me from showing my impotence.
- beg that you will state your
business sir said l; my time is OF
value Heaven forgive me for that
last sentence, but the words came to
my lips.
How would so guineas for a
nights work suit your he asked.
Most admirably
81 say a nights work, but ar
hours would be nearer the mark.
simply want your opinion about g
hydraulic stamping machine which
has got out of gear. If you show u:
what is wrong we shall soon set !
right ourselves. What do you thinl
of such a commission as that?'
The work appears to be light ant
: the pay munificient.'
II Precisely so. We shall want yo'
to come tonight by the last train
| Where tor
II Ito Eyford. in Berkshire. 1t is
Il little place near the borders of o.
II fordshire. and within seven miles G
II Reading. There is a train from Pac
: dington which would bring you Their
e at about 11:15.
II Every good
e. 81 shall come down in a carriag
S. to meet you
70 There is a drive, them
d Yes, our little place is quite out
" the country. 1t is good seven mile
e. from Eyford Station
" Then we can hardly get there b.
fore midnight. l suppose there woul
- be no chance of a train back. l shoul
y be compelled to stop the night
~ Ives we could easily give you
n shake-down.'
,e That is very awkward. Could
Il not come at some more converter
n, hour?'
- I'VE have judged it best that yc
If should come late. 1t is to recor
q pense you for any inconvenience tn;
n we are paying to you a young and u
- known man, fee which would buy q
n OPINION from the very nedQS Oh yo'
- profession. Still. of course, if yc
~ would like to draw out of the bus
a. ness, there is plenty of time to do 81
~ 81 thought of the so guineas, and
~ how very useful they would be to m
ID Not at ALL said l. I shall be very ha
Il, Ply to accommodate myself to 20,
= wishes. | should like, however, to u
- derstand a little more clearly what
is that Won wish me TO do
~ quite so. 1t is very natural tn;
-, ~, the pledge of secrecy which we ha,
~ exacted from you should have arouse
- your curiosity I have no wish
NJ commit you to anything without yol
- having it all laid before you. | su
pose that we are absolutely safe fro
- eavesdroppers?
- Entirely"