Part 47 (1/2)

After I left he came downstairs and pa.s.sed my window and did not look in. I watched him go up the street, he walked very slow, and his head was down on his chest. I did not like it. A little while ago he came back; I went out to meet him. I said, 'Mr. Grayson, what troubles you?'

And he said--'Nothing, Isaac, thank you,' and went upstairs. That is the first time in all the years I know him that he answered me like that.

So now I ask you once more--how much money do you want, and what do you want it for? When I know this, then I will know what troubles Mr.

Grayson. There is always a woman or a sum of money at the bottom of every complication. Mr. Grayson never worries over either. I do not believe you do, but I have had many surprises in my life.”

Jack had heard him through without interruption. Most of it--especially Cohen's affection for Peter--he had known before. It was the last statement that roused him.

”Well, if you must know, Mr. Cohen--it is not for myself, but for a friend.”

The Jew smiled. He saw that the young man had told the truth. Peter's confidence in the boy, then, need not be shaken.

”And how much money do you need for your friend?” His eyes were still reading Jack.

”Well, a very large sum.” Jack did not like the cross-examination, but somehow he could not resent it.

”But, my dear young man, will you not tell me? If you buy a coat, do you not want to know the price? If you pay for an indiscretion, is not the sum named in the settlement?”

”Ten thousand dollars.”

There was no change in the Jew's face. The smile did not alter.

”And this is the money that Mr. Grayson tried to borrow for you, and failed? Is it not so?”

Jack nodded.

”And you have tried everywhere to get it yourself? All the afternoon you have been at it?” Still the same queer smile--one of confirmation, as if he had known it all the time.

Again Jack nodded. Isaac was either a mind reader or he must have been listening at the keyhole when he poured out his heart to Peter.

”Yes, that is what I thought when I saw you come in a little while ago, dragging your feet as if they were lead, and your eyes on the ground.

The step and the eye, Mr. Breen, if you did but know it, make a very good commercial agency. When the eye is bright and the walk is quick, your customer has the money to pay either in his pocket or in his bank; when the step is dull and sluggish, you take a risk; when the eye looks about with an anxious glance and the step is stealthy, and then when you take the measure for the coat, both go out dancing, you may never get a penny. But that is only to tell you how I know,” the tailor chuckled softly. ”And now one thing more”--he was serious now--”when must you have this ten thousand dollars?”

”Before Monday night.”

”In cash?”

”In cash or something I can get cash on.”

The tailor rose from his seat with a satisfied air--he had evidently reached the point he had been striving for--laid the stump of his cigar on the edge of the mantel, crossed the room, fumbled in the side pocket of a coat which hung on a nail in an open closet; drew out a small key; sauntered leisurely to his desk, all the while crooning a tune to himself--Jack following his every movement, wondering what it all meant, and half regretting that he had not kept on to the ferry instead of wasting his time. Here he unlocked a drawer, took out a still smaller key--a flat one this time--removed some books and a small Barye bronze tiger from what appeared to be a high square table, rolled back the cloth, bringing into view an old-fas.h.i.+oned safe, applied the key and swung back a heavy steel door. Here, still crooning his song in a low key, dropping it and picking it up again as he moved--quite as does the grave-digger in ”Hamlet”--he drew forth a long, flat bundle and handed it to Jack.

”Take them, Mr. Breen, and put them in your inside pocket. There are ten United States Government bonds. If these Breen people will not lend you the amount of money you want, take them to Mr. Grayson's bank. Only do not tell him I gave them to you. I bought them yesterday and was going to lock them up in my safe deposit vault, only I could not leave my shop. Oh, you needn't look so scared. They are good,” and he loosened the wrapper.

Jack sprang from his seat. For a moment he could not speak.

”But, Mr. Cohen! Do you know I haven't any security to offer you, and that I have only my salary and--”

”Have I asked you for any?” Isaac replied with a slight shrug, a quizzical smile crossing his face.

”No--but--”

”Ah, then, we will not talk about it. You are young--you are hard-working; you left a very rich home on Fifth Avenue to go and live in a dirty hotel in a country village--all because you were honest; you risked your life to save your employer; and now you want to go into debt to save a friend. Ah--you see, I know all about you, my dear Mr. John Breen. Mr. Grayson has told me, and if he had not, I could read your face. No--no--no--we will not talk about such things as cent per cent and security. No--no--I am very glad I had the bonds where I could get at them quick. There now--do you run home as fast as you can and tell your friend. He is more unhappy than anybody.”