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And now Ward's bank has busted and I'm ruined! Fine state of affairs what?" Collins looked musingly out of the window. He was in a talkative mood, yet Fanwell dared not prompt him into further revelations. To manage a drunken man, or one half-drunk, requires exceptional tact. Once his suspicions are aroused, it is impossible to allay them.
Paul, robbed of the support of Tom Cowan's presence, was noticeably ill at ease, and for the first time appeared to be in doubt as to his election. Fanwell Livingston was put in nomination by one of his St. Mathias friends in a speech that secured wide applause, and the nomination was duly seconded by a red-headed and very eloquent youth who, so Neil learned, was King, the captain of the St.
Housed from his reverie, Fanwell Livingston glanced up, and, after nodding to Cowan and Neil, turned in at the gate. "I suppose you want congratulations," said Cowan. "Well, you can have mine." "And mine," added Neil. "And Gale here will extend his as soon as he's properly introduced. Mr. Gale Mr. Livingston." "Victory Defeat," added Cowan with a grin.
Don't you think I'm right?" Britz asked Fanwell. "Yes," came the quick reply. "What do you think of it?" the detective asked Cooper. "I'm an old friend of George," he answered. "I should advise him to clear himself at once." It did not occur to Collins that these three men were playing the same game; that they were ranked in coalition against him.
The sharp rays that spread from the clusters of electric lamps revealed a man's figure outlined in the doorway. His eyes traveled about the room as if imploring a nod of recognition, but none was vouchsafed him. "Collins!" exclaimed Cooper in an undertone. "Get him!" commanded Fanwell. "Remember, I'm a relation of yours from the West!"
Cooper found the climate elsewhere more inviting and remained away until the woman realized that she was plunging into a colossal scandal and withdrew her complaint. But Cooper had placed himself in the power of the police, and now Fanwell did not hesitate to exert that power over him. "Collins didn't leave the house until to-day," the detective explained.
Fanwell and Cooper shook their heads gravely, as if in sympathy with him. "He dishonored my home!" Collins exclaimed with added vehemence. "He stole my wife he tried to steal her," he corrected with a sly grin. "And that thieving brother of hers was in sympathy with him! Ever heard of anything like that before? A brother approving the liaison between 'em?
You're the only good fellow, Tom, I've met all afternoon. Everybody else looked at me like I had a knife out for 'em. Had to drink alone every place I went." Mr. Fanwell greeted the newcomer cordially, bestowing on him a smile so ingratiating as to put Collins immediately at ease. "You've probably read a bit about Collins in the papers lately," remarked Cooper. "Not the Mr.
Before Collins had time to obey, Fanwell discarded the air of aloofness with which he had watched the proceedings and stepped between the two men. "This is an outrage!" he exclaimed, addressing Britz. "What right have you to come here and question this man, then arrest him without a warrant? I protest against these proceedings! I won't permit Mr. Collins to submit!" Britz turned fiercely on him.
"Fanwell," said Britz to the man he assigned to "rope" Collins, "ingratiate yourself with him as quickly as possible. The subject is an easy mark for a convivial companion. You'll probably find him around the restaurants at night. Get an introduction and spend money freely. The gloom of tragedy doesn't cling long to a man like Collins, and even if it does, he'll try to dispel it with drink.
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