Finally Quincy said, "I interrupted you. You said that Mr. Isburn
considered he had good reasons for complimenting you. Will you tell
me what they were?"
"It is a long story."
"I'm all attention."
"Then I'll begin at once. If you need a stimulant at any stage of the
narrative, just signify your want and I'll ring for it."
"Is there a bar?"
"No, but there's a cellar."
"I may need some Apollinaris," said Quincy, as he settled himself
more comfortably in the easy chair; "as my flesh is again strong, I
always take my spirit very weak."
Mary had that sweetest of woman's charm--a low-pitched voice, and as
she told the story of the loss of the great Isburn ruby and its
recovery Quincy's thoughts were less on the words that he heard than
the woman who uttered them. In his mind he was building a castle in
which he was the Lord and the story-teller was the Lady.
He was awakened from his dream by Mary's query:
"Didn't I fool him nicely?"
"You certainly did. And so he's going to give you a half-interest in
the business. If he keeps his word"--
"Which I very much doubt," interrupted Mary.
"I'll buy the other half and we'll be partners."
He came near adding "for life," but decided that such a declaration
would be inopportune. "Why should you engage in business, Quincy? You
are not obliged to work."
"That's the unfortunate part of it.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298