CHAPTER VII

A PROFESSIONAL BURGLAR

There were three men in New York that day, who, although they occupied their accustomed table, the best in one of its most exclusive clubs, and although their luncheon was chosen with the usual care, were never really conscious of what they were eating. Weiss was one, John Bardsley another, and Higgins, the railway man, the third. They sat in a corner, from which their conversation could not be overheard; and as often before when their heads had been close together, people looked across at them, always with interest, often with some envy, and wondered.

"I'd like you both to understand," Weiss said, speaking with unaccustomed emphasis as he leaned across the table, "that I don't like the look of things. We tackled something pretty big when we tackled Phineas Duge, and if he has the least idea that these Chicago brokers have been operating on our behalf, it's my belief we shall find ourselves up against it."

Higgins, who was the optimist of the party, a small man, with the unlined, clear complexion and face of a boy, shrugged his shoulders a little doubtfully.

"That's all very well, Weiss," he said, "but if Phineas had been going to find us out at all, he'd have found us out three weeks ago, when the thing started. He wouldn't have sat still and let us sell ten million dollars' worth of stock without moving his little finger. I guess you've got the jumps, Weiss, all because we were d-----d fools enough to sign that rotten paper last night. All the same I don't quite see how he could ever use that against us. His own name's there."

1. How many men are there?
2. Where?
3. At what establishment?
4. Where were they seated?
5. Who is working on their behalfs?
6. Who has the happy outlook?
7. What was his reaction?
8. Did he have the appearance of a grown man?
9. What did they sell?
10. How much?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. Three
2. New York
3. An exclusive club
4. Their accustomed table
5. Chicago brokers
6. Higgins
7. He shrugged
8. No
9. Stock
10. Ten million dollars' worth