The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

HIS ISLE OF REFUGE. mere thousand dollars or so in question. A million is a big sum.’ ” Carmichael nodded, but remained silent. “Then,” continued Saville, “Mr. Stan- bury got somewhat riled, I am sorry to say. ‘If Carmichael doesn’t choose to honor my—’ but there, I needn’t tell you just what he said. I dare say you know Mr. Stanbury as well as I do. He isn’t particular when he is opposed in any way.” “Still,” persisted the bank president, “‘I do not see the point in his sending you when he could have come himself.” Saville gave a helpless little shrug. “To tell you the truth,” said he, “I don’t think he was able to drag himself away from the spot. He is a tenacious sort, you know, and what he had got his hooks in he wasn’t going to let loose again if there was any possible alternative. “However, there you are, that is the whole story, or as much of it as I am at liberty to tell you, and of course it is for you to say whether he must come person- ally—but it is only right that I should tell you this much,” added Saville impressive- ly. “If you do make him come to ’Frisco just now, Mr. Carmichael, he will draw not only that million, but all the rest of his investments in the Columbian, what- ever they happen to be—he swore he would do that.” Donald Carmichael knit his brows. “Of course, that was a fool threat,” went on Saville hastily, “‘and I do not sup- pose that he would carry it out. It would be deucedly unfair to you if he did, but he said it as though he really meant it. I thought it my duty to tell you, anyway.” The president sat reflecting silently for some moments. If things were really as this apparently candid stranger said, it would be unwise to offend Coulson Stan- bury. He was a man of considerable weight in financial circles, and his with- drawal of business from the Columbian would be a staggering blow to the bank, inasmuch as it would probably lead to the loss of other important clients. Saville seemed able to read what was passing in the other’s mind, and he waited 109 to let his warning soak in before he played his next card. “Of course you are quite at liberty to wire to New York for references concern- ing myself,” said he. “I can hardly ex- pect you to pay over without due consid- eration and taking certain precautions, even though you have Mr. Stanbury’s in- structions there in his own writing.” Mr. Carmichael roused himself from his reverie. “T may say at once, Mr. Saville, that I am convinced of the genuineness of Mr. Stanbury’s letter. As to your own bona- fides, I presume you have some one well known to us who can identify you as being who and what you assert yourself to be?” “Certainly,” replied Saville promptly. “Mr. George Cordwainer of the Palantic Hotel was much in the company of Mr. Stanbury and myself in New York about six weeks ago. Will he do?” Mr. Donald Carmichael’s face bright- ened for the first time. “Excellently,” said he. “Mr. Cord- wainer is a Client of ours, and I should take no man’s word more readily.” “Good!” exclaimed Saville briskly. “I will bring him here at once if he is disen- gaged. Of course, I foresaw that some- thing of the sort would be necessary. Mr. Stanbury suggested the name himself—in fact, it occurred to both of us simulta- neously. I am staying at the Palantic and—” A knock had sounded on the door. “Yes,” said Mr. Carmichael sharply. The clerk appeared. ‘““Eixcuse me, sir,” said he, ‘‘a telegram.” The president picked up his cutter and slit the envelope. It was said that Donald Carmichael never tore open an envelope in his life. He read the telegram with the face of a graven Image. “Tt is from Mr. Coulson Stanbury,” said he. ‘“Ah, changed his plans?” asked Saville interestedly. “Tt is sent from Carson—you had better read it for yourself—no answer, Bentley.”’ The clerk disappeared and the door GO 0) AUUG SS (C@