Part 34 (1/2)
Gregory lost no tiot into a tight place, you'd see an
Rock nodded and the corners of his thick lips turned doard
”I sincerely trust you havefriend,” he purred ”However, if such is the case, feel perfectly free to ory stated his case, to which the old man listened attentively When he had concluded, Rock's eyes were on the ceiling, and his soft white hands caressed the desk noiselessly
”If you will accept a word of advice froh to be your father, and one who is entirely disinterested in you, save in a personal way as the son of ory cut short his ra
”Stay away from Diablo Island”
Rock's advice carried a mandatory note which was not lost upon his auditor
”Why?” Gregory asked quickly
Rock searched the far corners of the rooth he replied: ”It is an extreerous place, particularly at this season of the year Stor the venture at this time, you place not only your capital in jeopardy, but the lives of your ory realized he had little tiument
”I've asked for a loan of three thousand for ten days, Mr Rock It's up to you What will you do for ht frown passed over the bank president's forehead at the young ave his entire attention to the blotter on the desk Then he said:
”I will let you have the money you desire on one condition That you confine your operations to coastal waters Your security will then be coet, Mr Rock, that I aory broke in ”Don't you regard the plant and the canned product on the floor as sufficient security for a temporary loan of three thousand dollars?”
Rock nodded After aThis is a time to speak plainly Otherwise I woulda favor at the hands of this bank, it is my duty to infore, in any way, your policy of stirring up trouble with our alien population”
Gregory rose angrily
”There is no use ofup your time or mine any further,” he said ”My business is my own And while we're on the subject I'll say that I intend to run it as I please Neither ners But I'll tell you here and now that we are prepared to fight, if need be, for what the law says we can have We want only a square deal, Mr Rock, and you can take it fro out of the bank president's office Gregory observed a farated wickets And though the man was dressed in the extre hiory returned the islander's nod and hurried to the street As he walked to the cannery he found it hard to concentrate his thoughts on the proble the desired funds Rock was a royal old hypocrite Of that he was sure now The financier had used his influence ah his local paper And noas telling hi hiain to Bandrist What brought the man to Rock's bank?
Business, no doubt But what kind? Was Rock backing Bandrist? Were the two ? If so, for what purpose?
The questions ory arrived at the cannery he had decided upon a definite course of action He would wire Farnsworth, the estate's attorney, to sell his bonds at a sacrifice if need be They should bring enough, added to his own personal account, to pay for the equipo to Diablo and call Rock's bluff, whatever it was
It was late that evening before he received an answer froarded the instructions of his client as sheer idiocy and had taken no pains to conceal the fact But he had sold the bonds and was forwarding the e from the attorney caeles They were shi+pping the gear in the early hs of relief which adequately expressed his feelings at the contents of the two respective es
The day had ended better than he anticipated The _Pelican_ and the _Curleere at Diablo by now He should hear fro there was much that he could do He took up his personal bank-book and began to balance it A low rap at the office-door interrupted hi entered with McCoy and Hawkins