Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 3, 2025
They all passed into the sitting-room, and Phineas Duge closed the door behind them. "I am sorry," he said, "to resort to such old-fashioned measures, but as you know I am methodical in all my ways. The first place to look for stolen goods is obviously in the abode of the thief. Frankly, I have not much expectation of discovering anything here.
Then he made an appointment to dine with Littleson, and sent out for an automobile. When it arrived he was driven to the American Embassy. At the mention of his name everything was made easy, and he found himself in a few minutes in the presence of the ambassador. "Glad to meet you once more, Mr. Duge," he said.
Bardsley exclaimed. "I'd give a tidy lot to know whether Phineas Duge lies there on his bed, or whether his hand is on the telephone half the time. You are sure, Littleson, that Dick Losting is in Europe?" "Absolutely certain," Littleson answered. "I had a letter from him dated Paris only yesterday." "Then who in God's name is shaking the Chicago markets like this!"
They were keeping, at any rate, to their part of the bargain. Phineas Duge carefully drew off his gloves and laid them inside his hat. He declined a chair, however, and stood facing the man whom he had come to visit. "I scarcely understand, Mr. Duge," Vine said, "what you can possibly want with me.
"Nothing is known about her at all," he declared. "If she should apply here," Duge said, rising and drawing on his gloves, "assist her in any way and let me know at once. She must be getting," he continued, "rather short of money. You can advance her whatever sum she asks for, and I will make it good." Phineas Duge walked out into the sunlight and drove away in his automobile.
He recognized in Phineas Duge one of the great powers at the back of the nation which he represented, and as a diplomatist he was fully prepared to receive him, and welcome him as one. "I am very glad to see you again, Mr.
Duge," the young man exclaimed, "forgive me for disturbing you, but I think that if you feel strong enough you ought to come downstairs into the library at once." Phineas Duge did not hesitate. There was a light in his eyes which transformed his face. He knew as though by inspiration something of what had happened.
"Her uncle is Phineas Duge," Guy said. "He has given his consent to our marriage, and told me to send my lawyer to him to-morrow." "Bless the boy, what luck!" Lady Medlincourt exclaimed. "Why, he's the richest man in America." Guy nodded. "I don't care a bit," he said, "except that it will make all you people so much more decent to Virginia. Come along round to Claridge's and be introduced.
"The men who have called themselves that," Higgins remarked grimly, "have generally been sorry for it." "And so may he," Phineas Duge answered, "but I am not sure that his time has come yet. You must let me think this over, gentlemen, until to-morrow morning.
If Phineas Duge was surprised, he showed no signs of it, only he looked steadily into his niece's face for a moment or two before he replied. "Stella," he said coldly, "has taken her goods to a poor market. Norris Vine is on the brink of ruin. If I turn the screw to-morrow, he must come down." He sipped his wine for a moment thoughtfully. Then a grim, hard smile parted his lips.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking