Part 9 (2/2)

Also his chin is decorated in two places with surgeon's tape and has a thick growth of stubble on it. As I drifts in he's makin' a b.u.m attempt to' roll a cigarette and is gazin' disgusted at the result.

”Why didn't Bob come himself?” he demands peevish.

”Rush of business,” says I. ”He'd been takin' time off and the work piled up on him.”

”Humph!” says Adams. ”Well, I've got to see him, that's all.”

”In that case,” says I, ”you ought to drop around about--”

”Out of the question,” says he. ”Look at me. Been trying to shave myself. Besides-- Well, I can't!”

”Mr. Robert thought,” I goes on, ”that you might--”

”Well?” breaks in Mr. Adams, turnin' his back on me sudden and glarin'

at the draperies. ”What is it, Nivens?”

At which the valet appears, holdin' a bunch of roses.

”From Mrs. Grenville Hawks, sir,” says he. ”They came while you were at breakfast, sir.”

”Well, well, put them in a vase--in there,” says Ham. And as Nivens goes out he kicks the door to after him.

”Now, then,” he goes on, ”what was it Mr. Robert thought?”

”That you might give me a line on how things stood with you,” says I, ”so he'd know just what to do.”

”Eh?” growls Ham. ”Tell you! Why, who the devil are you?”

”n.o.body much,” says I. ”Maybe you ain't noticed me in the office, but I'm there. Private sec. to the president of Mutual Funding. My desk is beyond Mr. Robert's, in the corner.”

”Oh, yes,” says Adams; ”I remember you now. And I suppose I may as well tell you as anyone. For the fact is, I'm about at the end of my string. I must get some money somewhere.”

”Ye-e-es?” says I, sort of cagey.

”Did Bob send any by you? Did he?” suddenly asks Adams.

”Some,” says I.

”How much?” he demands.

”A hundred,” says I.

”Bah!” says he. ”Why, that wouldn't-- See here; you go back and tell Bob I need a lot more than that--a couple of thousand, anyway.”

I shakes my head. ”I guess a hundred is about the limit,” says I.

”But great Scott!” says Adams, grippin' his hands desperate. ”I've simply got to--”

Then he breaks off and stares again towards the door. Next he steps across the room soft and jerks it open, revealin' the cla.s.sy Nivens standin' there with his head on one side.

”Ha!” snarls Ham. ”Listening, eh?”

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