About nine o'clock that same night a certain rich man, having
established himself comfortably under the reading lamp, a fine book
in his hands and a fine after-dinner cigar between his teeth, was
exceedingly resentful when his butler knocked, entered, and presented a
card.
"My orders were that I was not at home to any one."
"Yes, sir. But he said you would see him because he came to see you
regarding a Mr. Gregory."
"What?"
"Yes, sir."
"Damn these newspapers!... Wait, wait!" the banker called, for the
butler was starting for the door to carry the anathema to the appointed
head. "Bring him in. He's a big bug, and I can't afford to affront him."
"Yes, sir"--with the colourless tone of a perfect servant.
When the visitor entered he stopped just beyond the threshold. He
remained there even after the butler closed the door. Blue eye and gray
clashed; two masters of fence who had executed the same stroke. The
banker laughed and Cutty smiled.
"I suppose," said the banker, "you and I ought to sign an armistice,
too."
"Agreed."
"And you've always been rather a puzzle to me. A rich man, a gentleman,
and yet sticking to the newspaper game."
"And you're a puzzle to me, too. A rich man, a gentleman, and yet
sticking to the banking game."
"What the devil was our row about?"
"Can't quite recall."
"Whatever it was it was the way you went at it."
"A reform was never yet accomplished by purring and pussyfooting," said
Cutty.
"Come over and sit down. Now, how the devil did you find out about this
Gregory affair?" The banker held out his hand, which Cutty grasped with
honest pressure. "If you are here in the capacity of a newspaper man,
not a word out of me. Have a cigar?"
"I never smoke anything but pipes that ruin curtains. You should have
given your name to Miss Conover."
"I was under promise not to explain my business. But before we proceed,
an answer. Newspaper?"
"No. I represent the Department of Justice. And we'll get along easier
when I add that I possess rather unlimited powers under that head. How
did you happen to stumble into this affair?"
"Through Captain Rathbone, my prospective son-in-law, who is in Coblenz.
A cable arrived this morning, instructing me to proceed precisely in the
manner I did. Rathbone is an intimate friend of the man I was actually
seeking. The apartment of this man Gregory was mentioned to Rathbone
in a cable as a possible temporary abiding place. What do you want to
know?"