The Argosy, Vol. 81, No. 4 — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

COCHRANE’S AUSTRALIAN STUNT. guinea repeater for half its value?” protest- ed Sloan. : “Why shouldn’t I?” countered the im- perturbable Cochrane. “It was mine, I think we’re agreed. You haven’t a leg to stand on, Mr. Sloan. The law won’t let you arrest a customer simply because, after having agreed to accept his check, you grow nervous and think it won’t be paid. If it isn’t, you have your remedy. Call my act an eccentricity if you like. You’re going to pay for youretyranny, and every penny -of the money I get from you I am going to give away to a man who landed here a stranger, and within two days was victim- ized. So I am not thinking about myself. The money will really go in charity, but the point is that you will have to pay up.” “T’m not sure that we hadn’t the power to protect ourselves—” began Sloan. “Ah, I see you’re getting on to legal ground, and really in many ways I think this had better be straightened out by law- yers.”’ 5; “Sit down, Mr. Cochrane. Don’t be so hasty,” begged the agitated ee “We don’t want any blamed lawyers in this. It would cost us as much as we gave you in fees.” “To say nothing of the loss in reputation, Mr. Sloan,” reminded Cochrane, sweetly. “You're not serious about five thousand pounds, surely?” fenced Sloan. “Twenty- five thousand dollars in your money?” “Tf I am forced to sue, yes, for, as you say, almost as much as I recovered would go in fees, but I could recoup much of that -through-my action of slander against_you. Don’t let us overlook that.” “But you are not holding that remark against me, surely? I have apologized.” “Tt depends on prompt settlement in the first case,” retorted Cochrane to this. “Here is my offer. I’ve spent a night in a police cell, suffered serious pecuniary loss, which luckily I am in a position to overlook, and have suffered badly in mind. My lowest figure is two thousand and an apology from your board.” “Tl put the matter before them at their first meeting. I have no power to deal with such an important matter.” “In that case then, the interview can terminate and I shall institute ordinary proceedings as my inclination prompts me. After all this is a hole-and-corner’ way of dealing with the affair.” Cochrane rose and reached for his hat. 759 Sloan, badgered and beset, thought of the consequences of the scandal and gave in. “T’ll take the responsibility,” he said. “The apology will have to wait, but I'll give you a check now.” “Send out for notes, please, Mr. Sloan. I’ve grown to dislike dealing in checks in this country,” said Cochrane, urbane and smiling. A few minutes later he signed his name to a hastily drawn document absolving the firm of Sweet and Marlow, Limited, from all actions, claims, suits and demands what- soever resulting from any action taken by them on the preceding day. With a gentle farewell, the ill-treated Mr. Cochrane walked out of the office and the establishment. A spasm of unnecessary caution led him to a bank, where he changed the large notes to smaller denomi- nations, and sped, with light heart, to his hotel. A telephone message brought an im- patient, anxious and curious Bunny post- haste to the hotel. Once in his room, with the door locked, the smiling Cochrane faced Bunny, and in- quired for his views on making a living in the straits to which they were reduced. “What’s happened?” quivered Bunny. “Why the rig? You’ve been spending all right.” | He then launched out on the necessity of getting busy at once and cutting out luxur- © ies, when Cochrane, with a roar of laughter said, “Bunny, you'll be the death of me. Can all that stuff, my dear chap. Wallingford has come to Australia. Didn’t I tell you to trust to your Uncle James? Get out of the way of the storm of prosperity. Look, Bunny, look, a blizzard of notes.” The astounded Bunny thereupon beheld a snowstorm of crisp English bank notes, ten pounders, whirling about him falling from the upflung arm of his friend, who, grinning delightedly, watched him stoop down and retrieve the wealth that had liter- ally dropped on him from the air. The next few minutes were occupied in counting them. Bunny’s monotonous ‘eight hundred and forty, eight hundred and fifty’ seeming to him the sweetest music. Then Cochrane told his story. “The easiest thing that ever happened. - Only needed the investment of a good suit of clothes of the proper cut. Marvelous how they trust you if you’re wearing English- Go DOOKS AMIN (E@)