, x
topher Grenling was a good deal more
fiveoyenr-old brui11.._He was dark M
dapper, with astute e es of 1111 indefinite
color. His easy, sligh y disdaiuful manner-
1 and faultless precision of dress were those of
with speculative interests in the city“
He had the suave and ready diction oi
a diplomat: the guileless zoodfellowship of
one inn‘cnf of selfish design; but. behind
this. outward seeming lay .11 character as
sharp and dangerous as a sli1cr of glass. '
It 11 .1.1' this acutencss of perception which
enabled 111111.119 1.11 outside stock jobber, to
juggle “-3.21 the. hot irons ‘of'finnncial enter~
prise 11'211111121' getting burned, and now, Is
he saunzerrd about outside the barrier at
“’atcx'luo Slutiun. awaiting the arrival of
the hunt train from Southampton. his brain
wus probing; and weighing the possibilities
of the occasion which had brought him
there.
Osteusihly he was there for no less vicari-
ous .-1 purpose than the greeting of his
cousin. l’hilip Greuling, who fifteen years
previously had gone out ranching to
'Americn. and who now had suddenly .111.
llOllllCt‘ll his return to England on holiday.
Philip Gl'caling had left England :1 very
poor 11.111111. indeed; and had it not been that
during that fifteen years Christopher had
heard authentic rumors of astonishing suc-
cess. h:- 11'ould assuredly have titrated to
London 111'thout any aEectionate cousin to
greet iii:
" ‘But 'V~—1hought Christopher at Vhe strolled
nbout-—“il’ Lousin Phil had amassed I
great fortune out of the land in Arizona and V
the “'ild 1111.11,
titles of mum-y
. as I (lo—it’s up to me to
give 11.3111 :1 :uml time and a warm hand-
shake. if I 1.11:: '1 wt the stutliug out of x
siznplc~1111mlrd 171-1me1 its time I chucked
finance .‘lllll ”ml; to politics'”
That “-31 1.11.11-pe of man Mr Christopher
Glenling 21.11153
DIA’. 111:: alert, be scanned the passengers
Istrmmzng toward the barrier: He had
wired his cousin to Southampton that he
would Lin-t him at “’ntcrloo, and antici-
p.1to:l .Etllr difficulty in picking out his
L111: 11 11' p 111;: sic-gnomy. Suddenly he saw
him. ling" , loose of limb and massive-o!
elmnltir'z‘. V
'l‘ux‘mrfn: like :1 Gulliver among .Lllli-
1111521“. 11" bronzed face uglow; Philip
Gl'cnlil': :1l1c1l forward. His clear. rain-
nml-1\'E1--l-1' :lslwll blue eyes scanned the
“:llfil.' "Ml: :1l1c11d :15 though he were picks
in: 111.1: 1 11111211 from :1 bunch at a “round-
up." ‘ ”H111" was he a child of the wilds.
A111? l..- '
'1'11 ..1c1:lalo'Christopher it nearly
.1111; ' alt-1.111. A broad1brimmed Stetson
3::1t Win-.111} his llt‘iltl, :1 khaki collar and
11.11111 him,- 1ic adornedhis sinewy throat:
and his 11:1; of (weeds. of the approved
.lmcri:-;:.~: 111:1. had :1 sort of tropical sunset
1:21:11. gave 1he perfectly turned out
Lusim-es 11'11l1' .11 1101111111118.
.thruplly he turned. intending to catch his
:nusin in :1 #11:): where the KEnQrul crulh
would minimizn' attention: but he was too
late. fur nx' he faced around. 11 yell which
set full; inhaling. and the glass roof of the
r‘ufim: ringing. split the air:
‘1' ..
l'i.l‘1'..
"full-hi' (‘ hi'is' Where yer goin‘? I‘m
right l1crc.lm1."’
“\Vcll.“ 11:11511'11 Christopher regaining
possess? .11 of his hand, “let's get a taxi and
malrc for 11):: flat. You'll need a bath and I
feed."
I’hilip hesitated, a question in his blue
eyes.
‘ ‘I’m not
Any old
f'See here, Chris.” he said.
fixin to planting myself on you.
hotel “ill do me.
‘ I‘m-,1 would; ' smiled Christopher mean-
high ‘ but I want to do you first. I don' t
often wt :1 chance of entermininl: a weolthy
cousin.
' Well it's real kind of you, Chris."
agreed l'hilip. “Lead on to the buzzbussesl”
EA'I ED in the sanctuary of a cloud
taxi. away from the amused gaze of the
public Christopher had time. even while
plying the man at his side with the con-
ventional questions regarding the journey,
to take observations.
”What a gift!” he thought. “Wild Ind
woolly: rough. ignolnnt and wealthy! The
band round his wad of notes will slip 0!
like :1 <1m‘ :c s slouzhed skin! 'The Home-
stead 11111111111011 is as good as unloaded.
SphntoVn and I are saved from the bank-
luplcx c.'uurt
Aloud he said:
'“hnts it feel like to be back IVSIJI.
‘ln-s'.‘ \m: ll be: wanting to rclenrn town
life. now. "'
'S11.1.':1 thing
from the “fest.
Kodding. Christopher glanced“ at his
cousins clothes. He couldnt pilot this
nuinm‘cd gas explosion round his set; his
11: edit and reputation for f-‘form" would
go an .l1t1 dogs
"'1 ll- who run to my tailor tomorrow,’
hc 1:.1..1‘:. :‘I-Ie's a good chap: and when
he .13 fixed you up we ll be hide to ‘hit the
lighbull. ’ as. you folks on the other side
FHV.
A surprised smile came into those dis—
lance seeing evcs of Philip Greeting.
“Why. what’s wrong with these dudl?”
he asked. "I reckon they're real dressy.
. Bought ’cm at the biggest store in Frisco:
'3“ ' and that is sure a right smart place. Huh!
Guess 11 l1at' 5 good enough for Frisco is good
enough for London. I’m
they' re small: enough for me
'“W‘Blt too smart for towhu, returned
Christopher. embarrassed, but adamant in
his decision not to tow the “Hayseed? round
London in his present awful draping,
101111 have to get something a trifle
, quieter.’
‘ “Quieter! ' chortled Phil.
that," answered the man
'1!
‘.‘If that’s all.
black 511 my grip: reel lloneIt-to-zoodness
N runsossi. appurlnce inf Chir‘
youthful than his diamondo oedzed, tfii’rty- ’
t1 .
then—needing large quIn- .
1‘ 111 right again. for I’ve got a good shiny
stud,“ that I bought five years ago for old
a man of fashion who employed his leisure
513155911
3/01 601’3997/
Boss Morley' s funeral. It' 5 reel chaste; but
“being as it been t a pocket that'll hold I.
gun, I don't wear fit on weekdays."
“My aunt!" gasped Christop'her.
Phil glanced at him quickly.
‘ Why, what’s come over you, Chris?” be
queried, seeing the psstOnished disgust on
his cousin" 5‘ face. “You ain‘t in any my
feeling ashamed of me, are you?”
Self- control returning, Christopher shook'
his head emphatically.
HRISTOPIIER GBEALING’S flat in
Ilaydock Gardens wee’sn essentlnl part
of his cccouterments of business. Here be
entertained more or less lIvishly—Icootdlnk
to prospects—those gentlemen who were sub .
iicieutly gullible. and whose character was
sufficiently malleable to warrant the ex-
penditure of bait money.
Philip explcssed wonder and admired»
at its ease and luxury . od‘ende‘d Morrison.
Christopher's man, by declining to be vel-
eted. on the grounds that he had ceased re-
quiring :1 nursemeid at the age of 4. and
was at the momentpakifully sober; garbled
himself in his shiny black. and amazed
Christopher with the rize of his appetite It
the. subsequent meal
Christopher 1111:, taking: 111 impressions
rapidly: and tin‘ llltsim'ss nf eating being
over. he. 11111111: loll :1 cigar; 1111:! wt to work
to dist-01111 just \1 int size prize he‘d 11011.
~ “ 'Spct't you ve 111211111 quite :1 pile during
the lust liftecu vcors. l’hil‘." ' be queried.
"Pretty fair," assented Philip. grinning
and cuunmiug shag into :1 huge' pipe.
tech-on I could sign a check for six figure:
if I were put. to it."
“Six figures!" exclaimed Christopher. He
had not expected a plum of that size. 11111!
all hismredatory instincts came to the sur-
face. "God! The land must pay well over
yonder!" . ‘
“That's 11 feet," agreed Phillip. “lt'l
sure mighty rich stuf if I man s Willing to
use his head and learn how to let the best
out of it‘ But shut-ks" The country [on
almighty lonesome. It kind of cum.- over
me that :1 change in the city over here would
do me good, and here I Im.‘
Suppressing his excitement with difliculth
Chris smiled
' “Very glad you felt that wa." he said.
f Theic's plenty of excitement here it you
get in with the right set Are you thinking
of speculating 11'. all? If so I could put you
on some good thirxzs.‘ :1
Phil' 8 eves, resting on his cousin' s face.
flickered with sudden acute interest.
“D’you mean you‘d let me in on some
of your big deals. Chris?" be asked
1“ Yes. " returned Christopher with the
smile ot the tiger on his lips. “I wouldn' t
do it for every one of course. but blood‘s
thicker than water. and if you ve got 11
hundred thousand pounds-V————"
“Two, " cut in rl‘hilip lhe “Hayseed,"
. promlly' , and Chris dropped his cigar.
darnation sure ,
‘ Two hundred thousand!" he exclaimed.
“Dullars 01 pounds?”
"Pounds." chortled Philip.
thiuggood to do with it?" V
In stopping to regain the dropped cizar
Christopher s face was hidden , but the hen:
on the 111-111 of his chair trembled as though
palsicd.
”Know any.
AT BREAKFAST next, morning Philip
appeared in 11 “raiment which put Sol~
9111011 «111111: the rear of;tl1e".‘job1stock"
shelf. Vlt consisted of a suit of tweeds rather
more stentorian than the one he had ar-
rived in, a salmon pink tie, crimson socks
and virulent yellow shoes with bulbous toes
Christopher quailed; but Philip was ob-
viously proud of himself and dressed for In
occuion.
“Look here, Chris," he said. sitting down
to the eggs and bacon, “I guess you‘ ve got
your job to nurse this A. M.; and don’t
want me hanging around so I m aiming It
taking 11 ‘ruhber’ about this old 'city on 1113
own until night That: agreeable to yen?”
Christopher breathed thankfulness into
‘ his cotIee cup
“Anything you like so long as you“ re
“I’ll be buy today.-
hapfi,” he said.
true enough, but I’ll be through by 5 Ind
we’ll do a show.
along and show you where the money’ s
made.”
“Mending the 2111:1121" asked Philip; boy-
ish delight and interestjiu some...
.Tomorrow I’ll fake you -
- 1111‘ ‘
wwill be real grand to be able to tell the
boys back home that I've seen the English
pound notes being pulled 0!."
“No, not the Mint.” laughd Christopher.
delighted at the naive simplicity or his
intended victim. “I mean the Stock Ex-
change. There wouldn’ t be nity money if
it ween 't for the exchange."
“You don't say'" gasped Philip with
raised eyebrows. "Guess some'one must
lose a mighty lot if there! such a domed
lot mnde.’
Christopher shrugged his shoulders-
"Generally speaking. my set are the win-
ners,” he said sapie‘ntly.
“Guess yours is s dandy set to be in
with. 1111111. ’ commented Philip thought-
fully.“ “And Id take it uncommon kind
of you, Chris, if you'd introduce me to I
few of your busy bees."
“That will be 11 pleasure." laid Christo-
pher. rising to his feet and lighting a cig-
Irette.
Philip drained his colfec cup.
“But ine‘heing a bit green It the money
game. I‘d like you to watch close that I do
the right thing. ’ he said.
“I‘ ll 11"‘ntth, ’ grinned Christopher.
\Vitli the energetic thrust counseled by
Dr. Smiles. he disregarded the lift at his
oflice block. and charged the stone stIirs
two at :1 time: and with an inconsidente
nbruptncss 11 hich startled his partner. Ken‘
nelh Splayton.l'1'om his usual 10 o'clock
leth:1rgy.he burst into the mahogany fur-
nished. nlhc-grewndiued sanctum. .
Splnxtou. lifting an. aggrieved' heed
growklcd “'“'l1011 liter you? Some one
you 011'VVe money to: or some one who own
you a‘lhiCkV can?"
".\'eitl:er." chuckled Christopher. “But
we live 1111 the edge otthe. 811115305: littlo
deal 11113111 ever struck. It I know any.
thing.“ 1111. shall be ten or fifteen thousand
quid better on? belore the week's out!"
Splayton was a lean. iron gray men. Bid
eyes were iron .grtly; his hIlr was iron gray:
his muuuer was iron gray; his whole Ip-
pearnncc was chilly and hard and for I
space he- regarded Christopher in allelic.
Then he shrugged his shoulders skepticnlly.
“ 'BoVut time something turned up," in
said. ‘.‘Ercr since we shamed that MexicIn
pre eruption “"11 He struck nothing but
snnzs *‘ " ' I wish to human we'd never...
touched that blasted land. Not a soul will
bite on it!"
"That's just where you‘re wrong, Spiny-
ton." grinncd‘Christopher hanging up his
hat and seating himself at his flat-topped .
“ desk.
Splnvtou leaned forward suddenly.
‘ 'You (3011' 1 mean to say you’ve got I
nibble. ' ' he asked.
' “\'0. but I re a nice big Vfish on the point
of rising." cluutlell Christopher. “Tint
wild- -n11111 cousin of mine from America.
l\'1- got bin: staying with me. He‘s stifl
with 1.1mm1'.:md he wants me to udtise him
hon to imcs: it!" '
Splaylon lit :1 cigar sulkilt.
T”lmt duosn' 1 say he‘ d be such a dIrned
fool as in buy 11 silver mining property
withoth any Vsilvor in it.” he said.
' “That‘s where you ’re wrong uinn,"
laughed Christopher. "He went out Crunch
in: fifteen \euas’ ago and has spent Ill
the time among tune and turnips. He’s
a de1ilish sight greener VthanV- any of his
own pastures.
thxt ‘Homcstedd' hind as
in silver, and he’ll pan out
me to see that he do” the right thing.
I'm going to!"
It was 5 :30 when Christopeher 11:11.11
back at his fist, and ,1on his Cousin
Philip draped over an easy chair fut ulcer»
entry Iwoke. the sleeping giant. who role
to his feet. 7 ,
"Hello, Chris. old hotel" W
Philip. “Had a good day!” ’
"Not so bad, " '
“Neil: so bad at all. Arid I think Ila".
smelled out something pretty ripe for you.
”Meaning 11 little speculation?” liked
‘. Philip. a sudden keeunesl in his blue eye'.
‘ . Christopher nodded.
“Not so little}; he said. “but it's dImned
good. IonlybopeIcendrsgttyout-ny'
, before the crowd gets to know sB6ut; it“
11,1111 1111th the price up,
column is the holder at the momeny'ind '
i.:, 11.1 11¢ eel tomorrow, Sphym
we shall have to work round to all."
r'VV‘What is it?” naked Philips ‘ ‘
,We 1e only got to aid?
:1 fortune tucker
”Bee Ink-11.:
returned Christopher. V
Achep named
V'm' 1V
“Yell-hi! Chris! Where yer'goin’? I’m right here, bole ' - 1
“Silver mine," returned Christopher. and
watched the "Hayseed's 11" eyes sparkle. “Or
rather the land for it. This low
Splayton, knows it’s good: but not Ill!
so good as it really is."
“Where is it. Ind tht'I
inquired Philip, something of his rim
brushed away by sudden inmat-
“Mexico. It’s the Hmd Blah-
And I thought it you and shout. it we’ll
get this chap Splayton up for the «can:
tomorrow. give him a good time and try
to put the deal through "
“Thst' ll be fine, Chris." aid Philip. his
eyes very wide. “I’d just love to on I
silver mine if it don't cost too much now.
V 3011’“ have to see I don’ t this! I lamb."
Bé paused and then went on hurriedly:
"But see here, Chris, I'm reckonlnl tn
change my quarters for s time. I new I
fine slap- -up hotel in one of the m
streets up here this noon. Ind I've had,
my bag sent along there. No clean.
old boss. but I'll be tickled to (lath it
tell the boys back home thIt I stopped
I while in them marble halls.”
Sudden disappointment came into Christo-
pltr's face.
Philip burst into: chuckle.
"W'hats the odds. Chris?" he chofllel.
“Reélton we can have our card gums Ind
business talk in the suite 1' ve pie-mph!
at the Royal PIlIce. _It'll be ml grand
to entertain 11 few friends there.”
E suite Ehilip Greeling had chosen It
the Royal PIlIce was I fine one. and.
wile the following evening Christoph".
Spleyton and Alfred Layton, the mm to
complete. the foursome. were ushered in.
they found the "Hayseed" uniting their
arrival arrayed in the splendor of his black.
yellow shoes and 'sIlmon- pink tic.
“By jingo. Phil!
proud!" exclaimed Christopher. dentin:
Iround the room. He indicated 3pm.
"This is a business psi of mine the I
wanted you to meet," he Idded. . “And
this is Layton. wlb waited to no I wild
west than" in the flesh. "
Philip's honest tuned fIce was wreIthed
in smiles. '
“Well now." he said. akin: SplIytOIl'I
Vhsnd in his grip. ”this is reel chummy of
you." Then. turning to LIyton. he grinned
broadly. “Do I look the part. sonny?"
he said, ”oryIm I akin: to city life too
easy and natural?"
Muttering some incoherent words; IA:-
1011 winced at Philip's bend pressure. Ind
Splsyion cut in.
“You‘re- refreshing. Mr. Gresling." he
said.
. Philip chuckled.
“Well. boys, that‘s I hint.'_'_ho aid.
“You’ll find drinks on the side. Help
yourselves.‘ '
The visitors accepted the invitation, Ind
glosses being filled scattered conversation
took place until Christopher suggested I
rubber at bridge.
“Well, see here." said Philip.v«“IVdon‘t
rightly understand the way of this bridge.
and. 11s I ain‘t quick or learning. mobs V
a hand at poker or few would suit you
gents just. as well?" .
splayton, who was a men of many an.
arts, count Christopher’s eye, and nodded.
“Poker, I should. think.” he "id can “1
sill. ,
t‘That'lIV suitanelV’ slid Philip. “I’m no:
what you might 111-111. high light It the
(fine, but I'll likely he Ible to hold my
end I191".
It the end at two hours. despite a.
IVrtistic elfortl of VMr' Sphyton. Cirillo-V
pher Ind Layton. Philip the “Hayseed" m
enctly 200 pounds to the good. Ind Spiny-
ton lung in his m. .,
“I’m through." he aid. Ind than. with
. quick glance at Christopher, 11111.11: "I‘m
going to hop it, Chris; I’ve got a big 1111a-
ness desl on tomorrow morning any. Ind
must rec my beauty sleep " “' ' ‘
Christopher caught 391111111111. w, “a ,
‘In‘fiw 9).
threw his cards down.
nid,“PbiI-1von't mind
, ,
will give us our ravens. “some: artist-tine "
' “Sure thinzthat,” said 1111111111 m ’
'--;matmnmomm “imam
.,mmencmundism
smoothne-
st Christopher.
f “At cards or “I bit 11!
map-”fl?" V " ‘
“Got 11 snowstorm“ mace; silver
. he... ma spun.“ My: Vllshm I
Tim! ’
V it. Is it too late? "
’ helr' is just stiff with silver."
V “In“,
, mining ground in t
1:: m1"
be sure nothing will slip. "
You’ vs done yourself .
Splsyton, glancing at his watch.
'hewu
V chuckled'lspleyton, “he’ll and the: record
on: humanoid the clerk.
1111.1:- cuts.
V “WhIt’h V1:
.V brokers, but
to‘The Hay.
the door. they zaped in silent wand”.
Standing before Chem, and smiling Very
_ fwd! WI! Philip Grealm' .3,‘ sure enough.
pent. . . But what :1 Philip Grading! .\‘0 long”
VJ‘DIrn 1: l” he exeluimedVV “IV 901i“: ‘9“ '19: the simple “Earned”: no longer
“ 1d,”! it to ”n yummy. and VII -the man of the broad, vulgar diction of the
:39“ 1111' MW ham Philip in on wild. Gone were the preposterous clothes;
gone the humility of bearing.~ The thaw-
Moon of yesterday had vanished. and in his
mam
W11“; gave I. teeth” of Wh-
Spllytgn“ shrugged his shoulders. >
or en” 50.1 Chris .1 he , aid. , “Ion place 11de a perfectly turned out, entire],
Cliff. expect .I fortune-mtg: like all”! _ composed city man.
The land. I “How do I do, Chris?" he asked. “Mo"
we. Tncjt to so W8-
. to your liking in this rig? Aly trunks only
"3!! Mr. SplgytonV," cut in Philip "I . “rived from Southampton- yesterday.”
ain’t Visiting for any favors: but I’VGV not Christopher found his votce; while 5,21”.
good hon”, and tort continued to stare.
I bit of cash that wants a .
the name of that tract sounds kinder apt;
his” to me, being I farmer of’som.
Just whereubouts does it lie?‘
SplIVyton looked at Philip in silence for
I Ieeend or two and then smiled.
“From what; I hear you 're it pretty M
Mr. Grealing, "" he said .21.”.
" th land 1 have to sell is rich up.
But 11 he Plaza Valley north of
“What's happened?" he asked.
.Philip smiled.
"I'll tell you all about it in a minute,”
he said. “Business before pleasure. Here"
my draft for twenty thousand; let's have
I look at. the deeds of the Homestead
lInd." P
A little reassured by the act that Philip
evidently meant to go through with 111.
Time}; deal Splayton pushed the papers 800::
The “Ilene-ad‘s" eyes brightened. to him.
Vfl‘Tou 6011‘ 1 say!" he euluimcd. “Whit “Here they are, 1 he said. . WamV to
no you asking for it. '1 ” _ see any specimenst'f . ‘
Layton, having played his M m 1.570... said Phlhp’meDmg a,“ (mu-
busy with the drinks on the side, Ind menus. “I'm not interested 11.: you
etching the Iwo Ind. -cufios_"
Christopher “'8‘ ‘V
interest on his cousin 11 “Curios“ exclaimed Christopher 111.2: the
uncomfortable feeling that I precipice wag
face with inclu-
rm‘zii’ve been olfered fifteen thousand” "id yawning at his feet. “What do you
'Sphytnn. ”But. at cent-P" no Mt new?"
the Iehtence unfinished and chatted. "Just this." replied Philip, pocketing the
Philip turned quickly to Christopher. papers Ind rising to his feet. "That 1111;
"Win samples of silver you show me as coming
from the Homestead Estate are just ‘salt,’
put up by you and your partner, kplay.
ton.’
“My partner. "' eSclIlmed Christo'her in
In attempt to sustain the bluff.
“Yes, ” grinned Philip. “I had reason
to believe you were one of the twisters who
composed the International Security Cem-
pIny before I came to England. but I got
it. confirmed the day before yesterday when
I had that ‘r‘ubber mund.’ "
Spiny-ton hId risen and was edging to-
ward the door, but Philip barred the way.
“One minute. Splayton," be said. "I've
not finished yet."
"Look here." be said. "If you think
this land is ‘salted. ' what are you buying
it for?"
"Because I want it." grinned Phi’ .ip.
“For farming?“ Christopher's voice wu
raw and angry.
“Of a sort," said Philip. “But no: the
sort of farminzyou mean. Because I went
to America. originally to turn you took it
for ground flat I had renamed a farmer,
but. three months after ranching the other
Iide I found it mid bettier to firm minerals
then surface crops. So I took up mining
“.Eere Chris, " he whispered;
o tlto olfer?" 1.
“9611: it at all costs." snapped bIck
Christopher. "It' s I. chance of I life-
time!"
“Well look You here. Mr. Spleytaon,"
aid Philip. “I'm going to ‘oEer you
twenty mound for it. That’s a live-thon-
and-pound rise”
PLAII'ON hedtIted: outwardly he
Stocked doubtful but inwardly he crusted
h Icrelm with joy.
"Well." he said It length. “IVV don't
know the: I ought to do it. bee-nae this
other chap bu a. sort of verbal option on
it: but—well. darn it. you' re Chrismphet' I
cousin. ooI‘lItskeit. ‘ ' V‘"
With I whoop the "Rained" Isiled
SplIyton'o hend."'1'het‘s good of you.
Spinyton. " he exclaimed. "When an I
the I sigh: of the deeds?"
“Tomorrow morning at my loses in Queen
street. The International Security Cour
my. 811: I‘ll give you In Icknowledg-
meat of the trannction now; so thIt you'll
“fine, " beamed Philip, Is coming for-
ward Christopher patted him on the back.
"‘SIy. Chris I feel I finnneier already l" engineering."
“Well. you’re sot somethint worth while Eel poised, watching the lubed on his
in thIt bit Ohm, " said C top’her. cousin 5 face. ’
Spluyron, from the writinx hie. culled "Then 1lrhy the devil did you come our
dressed like I stare yoke)?" snarled Chris-
higher.
HILIP Ila-med his shoulders.
. "It seemed to work very well," he said.
"You see, for two solid years my firm. the
White StIr Mining Syndicate, of Frisco. has
been trying to get the Homestead land at
Tints; to complete our holding in the valley:
but we'd had a row with the b1. net: 0!
ml estate men who held it. and couldnt
do bushes. Three months ago we heard
I gang of ‘saltero' over here. known 11:
the International Security Company, had
(at it and purposed floating it Is a silver
mine; and so I went up to the tract and
did I bit of prospecting on ”the quiet.”
Philip paused and glInced It Splsytnn.
“You said the land was stifi with silver,
Spinyton," he continued. “But“it wasn’t
silver I found."
“What then? and Sphyton.
“Something that sent me hotfoot back
to Frisco and then over here. Knowing
I’d have some prétty pointed wits to deal
with, I decided to play ‘Foollsh Freddy 0‘
the Feed Pen’; Ind by jingo, it took you
to them.
“Here. come and sign this M,
Mr. Greeting. ChrIItOpher Ind Layton cut
witness it.”
With I hunt! thItV trembled with excl“.
merit Philip fixed his me.
“I'll bringtelong a banker‘s dreft for.
the amount tomorrow when I view. the
deeds," he sVIid‘ while Christopher Ind
Lnyton signed their names. 2.
“Rhino!" V 'ind Spleytou. "You‘ve
got. your cousin to that for I very good
Bit of business."
"I know thIt." beamed Philip. “And.
Chris, ‘I'll take it very kind it you'll be It
Mr. SplIyton's ofice tomorrow to m I do
the right thing."
“I’ll be there at 11.” «id Christopher. ,
HIlf In hour later, as having bid Philip
good-night and dropped Layton, Christo-
pher end Spicy-ton strolled toward the
We flat. Christopher punched his
punter in the ribs:
“Ten thousand apiece." he zurgled. "Not
so bedvfor an evening’ s entertainment "
“No." commented Splsyton. “But 12';
I bit like snaking the cream 08 the bIby’s
milk." end (30min Chris here, who I'd heard was
one of the International company. plank
‘1‘ 11 o’clock the following morning the in the eye. When I had confirmed the fact
that you, Chris, were a dirty twister, I
left your list quick. then I felt, free to act:
_ and, by jingo, I‘ve taken you and Splaywn
on “iron: on game Ind beaten you."
“How besten nu"- queried Splaflon-
“You’ve paid twenty thousand for the land
which you make out is worthless.”
“I didn't say it was worthless," grinned
Philip, tIking up his hat.‘ “I say there‘s
not an ounceof silver on the whole tract.
And well you two biightcrs know it!”
“What is there, then?” growled Chris-
topher.
HILIP hesitated an instant, and Spill."
{on leaned forward
“oil!" said we “mm” "The had
you thought was worthless and unloaded on
. me'for twen‘lw‘tbouund is worth 11 million—-
' two millions—anything! I cums all across
' the Atlxntie to get it. Ind would have paid
two hundredv'thousund for it if necessary-
So put that in your pipe Ind smoke it, 111!
cute business bitches!”
Both Sphyton and Chris stir-ted for-
.hrd; but Philip drew himself up to his
full height and met 111:1:- venomous glare.
two spiders, Mr. Christopher Grading
Iner. Kenneth Spluyton. set in the of.
Goo of the International Security Corl-
puny uniting their fly in the form “of
Philip. the "Hayseed "
“ 'Spoee he’ll turn up all right?” queried
“You bet," returned Christopher. light~,_
in: a corona from I box he‘d purehued
on the strength of the deal. “He’d buy
mpdpltoldhlmwasgood: IndIbet
It the bank before it was open
this .” \ : .
“Well, it he should want to luck out."
I Vsze'bim last night pretty binding}?
‘fHe won't went to beck out." aid
Christopher‘ “And I’ve one or two more
nice little investments waiting for 111111.11
wedon'tskidhimmonedufin.” _
Before Splaston could comment 111111.“
came I knock on the door. _
“Mr. Philip Grading to see Mr. Splu-
‘nout partneis jerked their 1... 111.1 shot?
"Show Mr. Greeting in," aid 3111111131.;
'in I loud.I cosmovoice, which he knew to r » “Thelsstmen1h1t,”besaid, “waxinl
g-be Impressive and easily Indibls in the ,hospitsl for three months.1’ou‘ll find it
detaches ' 11W to keep calm 1-
“I’m h tilt-early, 111-. Sphyton. Good Strolling to the door, he opened it and
atoning. MW!” ' then-turned. ,1
The voice cine hob mummy, in... ' "many. Spline!!! Cheer-lo. cousin!"
. he skid. '4 “Just What in future not to
coke fieryoue who are he'smade a pile
'outof gland Ind_ '11:“; weir-s rough clothe!
Jiforeiivmerora‘fiayseed’"
mu. m by 1111 unexpected
or their Visitor’s toner
Norwalk Chronicler