The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 120: what you’re looking at

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110 THE closed again. half to himself: Saville read the message, If any difficulty, hunt up General V., who, I believe, is in ’Frisco. He will con- vince of S.’s bona fides. Thought of this after S. left and sent off messenger. STANBURY. Saville looked up as he finished reading. “Of course,” he said thoughtfully. “Funny it never occurred to us.” “Who is General V.?” asked Carmichael. “General Vyner. British Army man, now retired.” : “What, the Vyner—Vyner, V. C.?” “Vyner, V. C.,” assented Saville. “Stan- bury and I knew him well in New York. I remember perfectly well now that he spoke of coming here when we were speaking of our proposed expedition —in fact, if it hadn’t been that he had his wife with him I believe he would have joined us, though he isn’t a young man now—tough old boy, though! If he really is in the city that should make things quite easy.” “One moment,” interposed Carmichael, and pressed a knob on his table. A messenger-boy appeared. “Bring me the morning Newsletter,” said the president. With the paper before him he turned to the list of arrivals, Saville watching inter- estedly. “Ves,” said Carmichael at last. ‘‘Gen- eral Vyner, V. C., and Mrs. Vyner. From Yosemite. Fremont Hotel.” “Bravo!” cried Saville. “Will you come with me and see him? The Fremont is only four or five blocks away. Seems rather much to ask him to come here on my account, though I have no doubt he would do it like a bird. He is a genial old sport enough. Still I would rather—”’ “T will come with you at once,” put in Donald Carmichael, rising, “and we can take in Cordwainer on our way back. I hope you do not think me unduly suspi- cious—or careful, I should say—Mr. Sa- ville,” he added, half apologetically, “but I am sure you quite understand as a busi- ness man—” ARGOSY. , “My dear sir,” interrupted Saville heartily, “please don’t mention it. I should have thought you a queer bank president if you did not act as you are do- ing. As I told Stanbury, his letter was right enough as far as it went, but then it might have been written with a gun at his head, for all you could say.” “Just so,” said Carmichael gravely. “To be quite candid with you, that very idea did occur to me. Millionaires get into curious positions at times.’ “That is a fact,” returned Saville promptly. “Well, I am mighty glad of that wire. It came just at the right mo- ment. By the way, I should take care of it, with Stanbury’s letter, if I were you. One never knows what may happen, and of course I have myself to think of. It is a bit of a responsibility. Carmichael nodded. “Exactly so. I quite appreciate your position, Mr. Saville. You may trust me to see to that. Now a few words with the two men we are going to see should put matters quite straight,” and Saville thrilled with a sense of coming victory. CHAPTER IV. IN SIGHT OF VICTORY. GAVILLE and the president of the Co- lumbian Bank parted at the corner of Market and Fourth Streets. As soon as the stiff-backed Scotsman was out of sight Saville dived for the nearest saloon and clamored for brandy. He was not a drinking man, but the strain of the past two hours called for stimulant. They had found both General Vyner and Cordwainer and the result had exceeded Saville’s most sanguine expecta- tions. The hotel proprietor had been heartily familiar, and the V. C., if not quite so free in manner, had at any rate greeted Saville with a sufficiently genial cordiality which banished any lingering doubts which Car- michael might have retained as to his com- panion’s identity and genuineness. COMMICLOOOK (C@