The Profiteers

floor. Exactly opposite to him across the uncarpeted corridor was a door from which half the varnish had peeled off, on which was painted in white letters-MR. ANDREW SLATE. A knock on the panel

do for you

with the smell of tobacco, and notwithstanding the warmth of the June day, all the windows were tightly closed. Its occupant, a lank man with a smooth but wizened face, straight

"Seems to me you're not

mind if I open

the tenant of the room e

the windows, came over and shook hands

t on earth's got you that you choose

ejectedly back into his place. Wingate had establishe

vy atmosphere plays the devil with one's breathing. I guess y

ded by my natural intell

you doing

d finding it filthily diff

Wingate asked. "There's nothing excep

e no

e riffraff as a man who can be trusted to collect the necessary evidence in a divorce case, especially if there's a little collusion, or find

erved. "You see a

ittle tarnished, though, I'm afraid they may be-who would swear anything. Or I can find you several beautiful ladies-beautiful, that is to say, with the aid of one of the costumers up the street and a liberal supply of cosmeti

to visit, studying his appearance in every detail. The

ce or twice and seen the big things. I guess there's no

the hearty reply. "Get

d the blus

've got a job for you. You can't do it

ook at my boots!" Slate declared,

do my job like that. Here's twenty pounds on account. I'm going to stroll around to the Milan Grillroom and tak

money and reach

by the stairs. I shan't be late, unless you'd lik

ee quarters. There really isn't any hurry. Say an

gone from his chin, in a well-cut morning coat and trousers, a grey tie and fashionable collar, his

certainly do pay for dressing, my boy. Now dr

pect seemed to have returned. He carried himself differently, there was a confident ring in his tone. He studied the menu which Wingate p

when the business of ordering luncheon was conc

ttle ordinary detective business. If I decide to carry out a scheme which is forming in my mind, it will be a more serious affair.

hands, and that there was no chance at all for the man who couldn't rely on the law to do him justice. I soon found out my mistake. There's nothing I could get done in New York or Chicago which I couldn

that," he said. "Have you anythin

a t

t's necessary. You're going to earn money with me, Andrew, and incidentally you ar

t Phipps?" Slate exclaimed, sudde

st each other once more, and, believe me,

in Slate's fine eyes. Never

"Peter Phipps has made good over here. They say t

same," Wingate replied. "We'

e hesi

ath out of his body," Slate in

This time I think one of us is going under. Phipps wants to join issue with me in the City. I'm not s

glass of wine an

ul-you know that. But you've been a good friend to me-almost the only one I ever had-and I've got to put this up to you. Peter Phipps is as clever as the devil. He is up to every trick in this world, and a few that he pr

k out every move on the board. I shall risk nothing until I

heet of paper, which he folded

me if anything occurs to you. Call here to see me every morning at ten o'clock. I ha

talk about that last game you a