The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-21


want you to do for me"
What is it?"
"Sit down" Travers dropped to
mis- desk chair, waved the young
man to one beside it. Il told you
If you agreed to my terms it would
mean year of hard work. You've
already agreed.
"Today's Wednesday, isn't it? Tell
chem at Blossomdale's you're quit
ting Saturday. Monday you can be-
gin here. Then Tuesday at mid
night you sail for Liverpool"
Dad"
Travers was nodding. Tuesday
at midnight" he repeated. You
have your passport, haven't you?
III have everything else arranged.
Monday you'll be in Liverpool"
But what on earth-?" Mark cut
in. Il don't know what you're talk
ing about"
mo. But I'm going to tell you.
Promised to obey instructions, didn't
your Promised to tackle any job
without favoritisml
This first assignment, as I said,
is a little unusual. I hope it isn't
going to prove difficult. Now here's
what I'm getting at"
The father paused long enough to
touch a match to his cigar. 81 sent
Johnson to tell you to come here
today for two reasons" he .contin-
ued. "One because, well, you're the
only son your mother and have.
Maybe I seem a harsh man
sometimes. I'm not so bad inside
Anyhow, your mother and I need
you. Mark. That's one reason I
sent for you. The other is this
business in Spain.
you remember-maybe you don't
though-that Jules was in this
country for a Spanish copper min
ing concern when Alicia met him?
Looking for American capital.
We'll, he persuaded me to go into
the thing rather heavily. That was
two years ago. Going on three now,
and it's been a bigger loss every
year. It's come to the place where
I've got to know what's going on"
II Il
MARK had been following the
1V1 words wide-eyed. but, dad,
I don't know anything about cop
per miningI"
mo. You don't. 1t isn't going to
be necessary. I've got man who
knows all about it going over next
month.
You see, Mark, I can stand the
loss. They come and we take them
and fight it out on some other line.
can stand the loss. What I'm
sending you over there for is to
find out just how much Jules is in
on this business.
Il want to know if the deal is
square. If it is-we go on with
it and fight. If Alicia's husband
in spite of his Understanding titles
is just another foreign crook I want
to know that too.
you'll go over there ahead of
Moffett, the engineer. There's been
nothing said or done as yet to
arouse suspicion. That's why the
trip must be made at this time.
And you're the one to make it.
Don't you see 1 can't send an
ordinary employee over there and
tell him what's in my mind about
my own son-in-law? Besides, you
can go about with Jules as no en-
ploye could"
Its a spying job you're asking
me to undertake, is it?"
Nov wait minute! Not so hot
headed. It's nothing on earth but
a straight business deal. want
you to go to France for three
weeks, drop over at this mine and
have a look at it, go to see jules
and Alicia and make certain in
quiries about Jules.
"It's a thing that's done every
day in business. A man has to
know his associates are honest. If
they're dishonest he has to out
smart them. Well, that's brief
outline.
"Well go over the whole thing
in detail later. You're working for
me on this job, Mark. Directly
under my orders and no one else!"
Mark met his glance. mo use to
pretend 1 know what it's all about"
ne said, but I'll try to do what you
want. How long will I be abroad?"
THAT depends. Ought to make
the trip, I should say, in month
or five weeks. Well see how it
works out"
TIME young man was smiling.
Il well, a month in France is
certainly no hardship. Be able to
stop over day or so in Paris, will
/? Say-I'll get a kick out of show
ing Norma Paris!"
The father pursed his lips. Ger
tainly you can spend day or two
in Paris. Matter of fact, on the sur
face this journey is to appear a
pleasure trip. You're to do all the
things you would if you were on
vacation.
Jules and Alicia will assume
that's why you're there. On this
other matter of taking-er, Norma
well, I'm afraid that's out of the
question"
But, DAD"
ut will be better for you," his
father went on evenly, and also for
your wife if you make this trip
alone.
In the first place, though you
are to seem to be on a pleasure trip,
you really will be working. It's a
conviction of mine that a man can't
keep his mind on business when he's
travelling with his wife. Arbitrary
ruling of the company.
IF let you take Norma along it
would be favoritism and 1 told you
there was to be none. On the other
hand, she can be more comfortable
here. Wen see that everything is
done for her. 1t would please your
mother if she'd come to the house
and stay with us while you're gone.
When this years ended and
you've proved you know how to work