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Weiss' office, you will find some news for you. Don't look so angry. We all have our own game to play, you know, Mr. Littleson. I dare say I have behaved a little shabbily to you, but, you see, I had myself to consider, and in New York you know what that means. Au revoir! I have an idea that I may see something of you in Europe."
Meanwhile Phineas Duge, who had had a tiresome voyage, and who was not a little fatigued, slept during the greater part of the morning following his arrival, with his faithful valet encamped outside the door. The first guest to be admitted, when at last he chose to rise, was Littleson. It was close upon luncheon time, and the two men descended together to the grillroom of the hotel.
Do you know that every minute of the time Phineas Duge was supposed to be lying on his back, he was buying on the Chicago market?" "I am not surprised," Littleson answered. "It seems to me we ought to be able to hold our own, though." "We may," Weiss answered, "but it's a big thing. Even if we come out safe, we shall come out losers. Well, did you see the girl?" Littleson nodded.
Your uncle would never forgive me if I did not do everything I could in the way of looking after you." Virginia smiled a little bitterly. "My uncle," she said, "is not likely to trouble his head about me. He has dispensed with my services for the future. When I go home, I am going back to my own people." Littleson was genuinely sorry. To a certain extent he felt that this was his fault.
If you talk to her cleverly you can at least find out whether Phineas is playing the game or not." Littleson nodded. "I'll call directly after lunch," he said. "Perhaps I could get her to come out for a ride. I'll try, anyhow, and ring you fellows up afterwards at the club." "Don't bother her any more about the paper," Weiss said. "She'll get suspicious at once if you do.
"You are very kind," she said, "but I seem to be the only person for whom my uncle asks sometimes, and he is awake just now. I should not like to be away." "He is conscious, then?" Littleson asked. "Perfectly," she answered. "I suppose it is quite useless asking to see him?" "Quite. The doctor would never allow it. He has to be kept absolutely quiet, and free from excitement,"
"If you really have anything to say to me, I should prefer it." "Then after the oysters I will undertake to be," he declared, smiling. He turned away to send a boy out for some flowers and order some wine, and afterwards they proceeded with their lunch, talking of the slight things of the moment. Littleson, in that little group of millionaires, represented youth, and to a certain extent fashion.
"She would not tell me," Littleson answered. Weiss felt his forehead. It was wringing wet. He went to the cupboard, poured out another drink, and lit his cigar. "Did she give you any idea?" he asked. "None at all!" Littleson answered. "Some one seems to have outbid us. I only know that it was not Phineas." Weiss leaned back in his chair.
"We know nothing of Miss Duge," Littleson said, "nor have we received the paper nor any news of it. If Miss Stella has stolen it, she has not brought it to us. That is all I can tell you." Virginia read truth in their faces. She turned away. "Oh, I do not understand!" she said. "Perhaps I have made a mistake. I will go."
Afterwards, on the way to her stateroom, she overtook him near one of the companion-ways, and laid her hand upon his arm. "Mr. Littleson," she said, "would you do me a favour?" "Why, I should say so," he answered. "Nothing I'd like better." "Don't tell anybody anything about me," she begged, "I mean about my uncle, or anything of that sort at all.
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