Adventure, December 1914 — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

132 “What do you call a syndicate, Mr. Out- erbridge?”’ ‘“‘A syndicate in this case consists of a number of gentlemen interested in the same business. . . One moment, Mr. Adair, let me go on. This syndicate, as I re- marked, has been doing business with Mr. Creed for a good many years. A few days before he died I, acting on its behalf, con- signed to him a parcel which—contained some extremely valuable trifles.”’ ‘“‘They were the property of the—syndi- cate?”’ “Ves, Mr. Adair, they were the property of the syndicate.” “Honestly come by, Mr. Outerbridge?”’ “In what sense do you ask that?” “Tf ask it as a plain man, Mr. Outer- bridge. You seem to find it rather a deli- cate question to answer. You say you con- signed a parcel to Mr. Creed—what did it contain? Can you give me details?” “Of course I can give you details—exact details. If I give you those details, will you return me the contents of the parcel? You understand they’re not your property, since Mr. Creed never paid for them. I have not the slightest doubt that he would have paid, but he hadn’t time.” ‘Tell me what were the contents of the parcel, Mr. Outerbridge. Give me anyhow some idea.” ‘Will you return the goods if I do?” “Have you an acknowledgment from Mr. Creed of the receipt of this parcel?” “T have what is as good. It was regis- tered. It was delivered to Mr. Creed by the postal authorities, and they held his re- ceipt. What is the matter with you, Mr. Adair? Do you think I am telling youa lie? Surely you’re not the sort—you’re too good a sportsman—to take advantage of what happened to poor old Creed to do a number of hard-working men out of what Y am ready to make perfectly clear does not belong to you.” “You possibly intend, Mr. Outerbridge, to pay me a compliment, for which I thank you. But you hardly present the matter from my point of view. ‘There was some- thing funny about Mr. Creed; I knew that all along. But I’m only just beginning to discover how funny. In fact, to be frank, I only began my discoveries just before you came into the room. Clearly you coe a great deal more about him than I O° Adventure “That is possible, since you pretend to know nothing.” ‘In what business are you engaged, Mr. Outerbridge?”’ “I’m a dealer.”’ ‘A dealer in what?” “Look here, Mr. Adair. Do let’s begin to understand each other. Are you going to pay the sum which I shall be pleased to make clear to your commercial brain is Owing, or are you going to return the goods? In the latter event, I should like them now, before I leave this room.” “I will certainly hand you over nothing —neither cash, nor what you call goods, be- fore you leave this room. I am going to have matters thoroughly looked into. I have no doubt that Mr. Creed had a record of his correspondents; a communication will be sent to each of them. If they have any claim against the estate they will be re- quested to make it. Leave me your ad- dress. Such a communication shall be sent to you; anything you may say will receive the most careful consideration, and I give you my word that justice shall be done.” “Y’m afraid that that won’t quite do. The men I represent want their money now; and they’re going to have it, or the goods today. Be a reasonable man, don’t make trouble. Give me your word that if J establish the fact to your satisfaction that such and such things were sent to Mr. Creed on a certain day, which owing to what happened to him were not paid for, cash shall be handed over, or the articles returned; and I'll tell you the whole story so plainly that I guarantee you'll under- stand the business as well as I do. ‘“‘Give me your word, I say, and I’ll start right now. Now, Mr. Adair, be a decent sort—give me your word.” There was a considerable pause before Mr. Adair spoke. It was odd how both men continued to eye each other, and how both smiled—and what a different quality there was in their smiles. ‘“‘Suppose, for argument’s sake that the syndicate which you say you represent had consigned certain property, valuable prop- erty, to Mr. Creed which—we’ll put it— wasn’t theirs. If you were in my position you wouldn’t return it to them. I’m sure you wouldn’t. You’re not that kind of man; you’re too much of a sportsman.” “You know more than you pretend— that fact is gradually dawning on me.” GomiiGcovook (C©@