Well, the man who called me outside
just nowand he's one of the solid
banking crowd up herehe spoke of
you as though he knew you. In fact
to be perfectly frankhe called me
out there to ask me about you. Now,
I don't know what dealings you've
ever had with him, or with anyone else
up here, but it struck me that if there
is anything between you and Syracuse,
or any of its fairly big men, perhaps
it would be better if I knew it. You
see, this thing I'm selling is so darned
personal-"
"Who was he?" Harmon's voice
rasped.
"Bmbreeof the Trust and Deposit
company
"Oh, yes." Harmon smoked reflec
tively. "Yes, we know each other.
What did he have to say?"
"It wasn't so much what he said as
the way he said It. I suppose you've
had some disagreement with these peo-
ple?"
"Some disagreement," admitted Har
man, grinning. "These up-state farm
ers and I love each other like a couple
of strange bulldogs. Still"
"H It Isn't objectionable to you,"
said Hilliard, hesitating, "I'd rather,
like to know a bit about it, Mr. Har-
SfHty
"But Wait a Minute!"
mon. The subject might come up
later. It's almost sure to, now that
Embree's seen you and spoken to me
about you. And If you've had any
quarrel with this crowd, even if it
wasn't your, fault, and if it came out
that I'm working for you, and there
was any talk about It, you can see
how I'd have to be on the defensive.
So if you could just give me a
faint idea"
"Plain English is a lot better than a
faint idea," said Harmon carelessly.
