Part 36 (1/2)

”Yes, sah, Colonel.”

A fact which the wise s.h.a.g had known all along.

”For it's always good weather, When good fellows get together!”

Over and over again the not unmusical strains welled out from one of the private rooms, opening off the grill of the Homestead. At times Larch stopped at the entrance, smiling good-naturedly, but with rather a cynical look on his clean-chiseled but cruel face. More than once his eyes sought those of Harry King, and the latter nodded and smiled.

He was spending money freely, but was keeping himself well in hand, though a waiter was at his side more often than at the side of any of the others.

”How long has this been going on, Jack?” asked the colonel, who reached the hotel soon after his talk with s.h.a.g.

”All the afternoon, I guess, and it looks as if it would be all night.”

”So it does! I wish I'd never gotten into this mess, but I can't get out now. Kedge would be sure to spoil it after I've started things moving. What especially did you want to tell me?”

”Well, King is in there, in his usual state--dignified, of course, but how long he'll stay that way I can't tell. It's Larch that puzzles me.”

”Yes, it isn't usual for him to make such a congenial companion of himself with his customers. But he's very different since his wife separated from him. He doesn't hold himself so highly.”

”And it's telling on his business.”

”What do you mean?”

”I mean that a number of his best friends are leaving him. The way it used to be was that the Homestead was patronized by a good cla.s.s of people and organizations, some that even were opposed to the liquor trade. They knew they could have it or not have it as they pleased.

But now Larch is catering more and more to parties that wouldn't come here if there wasn't something strong to drink, and that's driving the other sort away.”

”Yes, I've noticed that of late.”

”And that isn't all,” went on Young. ”Larch is going to come a cropper, if I'm any judge.”

”What do you mean?” Again the Colonel seemed puzzled.

”I mean he's going to smash financially. He's been making some poor investments of late, as well as gambling heavily, and his money can't last forever. He had a lot, but most of it is gone.”

”I hadn't heard that.”

”Well, it's true. He was well off when he married. That's the reason he got such a pretty wife, I hear. Her folks were ambitious for her.

Well, she did s.h.i.+ne for a while, for the Homestead was not an ordinary hotel. It was more of a Colchester inst.i.tution. But it's fast becoming something else now.

”Larch is being pressed for cash, and that may be one reason why he's so thick with Harry King. King's got cash, if it can only be gotten at. I overheard Larch sounding him as to the chances of raising a big sum.”

”And what did King say?”

”He agreed to try to get it for Larch. That's all I gathered then.

But I heard them talking of something else.”

”What?”

”Larch dropped a hint that he and his wife might be reconciled.”