Part 37 (1/2)
”This is an ugly mess,” the lawyer continued. ”It would have suited me better to control the company through the stock so long as we had so much, but we didn't quite make it. You're friendly to Mr. Porter, aren't you?”
”Yes; I don't know how he feels toward me--”
”We can't ask him just now, so we'll take it for granted. The court will unquestionably appoint a receiver, independent of this morning's proceedings, and if you don't mind, I'll ask to have you put in temporarily, or until we can learn Mr. Porter's wishes.”
”But--there are other and better men--”
”Very likely; but I particularly wish this.”
”There's Mr. Wheaton--isn't he the natural man--in the bank and all that?” urged Saxton.
”Mr. Wheaton has a very exacting position and it would be unfair to add to his duties,” said the lawyer. ”Will you keep where I can find you the rest of the day?”
”Yes,” said John; ”I'll be at my office as soon as I hit a tub and a breakfast. But you can do better,” he called after Fenton, who was walking rapidly toward the post-office building.
Wheaton sat at his desk all the morning hoping that Fenton would drop in to give him the result of the Traction meeting; but the lawyer did not appear at the bank. He concluded that there was little chance of learning of the outcome of the meeting until he saw the afternoon papers. A dumb terror possessed him as he reflected upon the events of the past day. It might be that the shares which Margrave had forced from him would carry the balance of power. He felt keenly the ignominy of his interview of the night before at the bank; he was sure that if he could do it over again he would eject Margrave and dare him to do his worst.
He could dramatize himself into a very heroic figure in combating Margrave. If only Margrave had not seen Snyder! It was long ago that he and his brother had made acquaintance with crime: that was the merest slip; it was his only error. It had been kind of William Wheaton to take the full burden of that theft upon himself; yet he thought with repugnance of his brother's long career of crime; he detested the weakness of a man who chose crime and squalor as his portion. He talked to customers and did his detail work as usual, and went out for luncheon to a near-by restaurant, as he had done when he was a clerk, making lack of time an excuse for not going to The Bachelors' or the club. He felt a sudden impulse to keep very much to himself, as if security lay in doing so. His confidence returned as he reviewed his relations with Timothy Margrave. He would demand the two certificates of Margrave whether they had been used against Porter or not.
Having reached this decision by the time he came in from luncheon he went to the telephone and called Evelyn to ask her how her father was and to report his delivery of the papers in her father's box to Mr.
Fenton, as instructed. Evelyn spoke hopefully of her father's illness; there were no unfavorable symptoms, and everything pointed to his recovery. It was very sweet to hear her voice in this way; and he went to his desk comforted.
CHAPTER XXIX
JOHN SAXTON, RECEIVER
At two o'clock Warry Raridan sat on a table in the United States court room, kicking his heels together and smoking a cigarette. A number of reporters stood about; the ex-president, the secretary and the treasurer of the Clarkson Traction Company loafed within the s.p.a.ce set apart for attorneys and played with their hats. The court was sitting in chambers, and those who waited knew that in the judge's private room something was happening. The clerk came out presently with his hands full of papers and affixed the official file mark to them. Raridan was waiting for Fenton and Saxton and when they appeared together, he went across the room to meet them.
”How is it?” he asked.
”It's all right,” said Fenton. ”Saxton has been appointed, pending a hearing of the case on its merits, which can't be had until Mr. Porter is out again.”
”I knew it was coming,” said Raridan, in a low tone to Saxton, ”so I came up to say that I'm glad you're recognized by the powers.”
”But it's only temporary,” said John. ”The little interest I represent wouldn't justify it, of course. I'm still dazed that Fenton should have urged my appointment on the court.”
”What I'm here for is to go on your bond, old man.”
”But Fenton has fixed that,--some of the bank directors.”
”All right, John.”
Saxton was walking away, but he turned back. Something had gone amiss with Raridan. Several times in their friends.h.i.+p Saxton had unconsciously offended him. He saw that Warry was really hurt now.
”I appreciate it, Warry, and it's like you to offer; of course I'd be glad to have you.”