Parker Noyes resumed his seat at the desk. He waited quietly until there was another rap at the door. He ordered the visitor to come in. A man entered, and Noyes ushered him to a seat at the opposite side of the desk, so that his back was turned toward the bookcase which shielded Froman.
The visitor was David Tholbin.
CHAPTER VII. THE PLAN IS MADE
THERE was a marked tenseness in David Tholbin’s expression as the sallow-faced young man met the gaze of Parker Noyes. It was obvious that Tholbin viewed the attorney with a sense of awe. He seemed perplexed by the purpose of his visit, and shifted uneasily in his chair.
Noyes, on the contrary, was quite at ease. Seated behind his desk, he folded his hands and surveyed his visitor with a severe, though kindly gaze.
“Tholbin,” said the old attorney quietly, “you are probably aware of the fact that I represent Tobias Waddell in all his legal matters.”
Tholbin nodded.
“Also,” continued Noyes, “I have his confidence in other affairs. We are old friends.”
“I know it,” returned Tholbin.
“Therefore” — Noyes spoke in a speculative tone — “the matter of Betty Waddell’s future husband is something in which I feel more than a passing interest. I, as much as Mr. Waddell, am interested in seeing that she makes a suitable marriage.”
Tholbin’s gaze was challenging. The young man had adopted an air of bravado. His policy was to let Noyes do the talking. The lawyer’s next remarks, however, were to cause him great concern.
“Mr. Waddell,” said Noyes, “is anxious that his daughter should marry a man of considerable wealth. My opinions are different” — Noyes smiled before he dropped his bombshell — “because I am more interested in whom she should not marry.
“I, for instance, doubt the advisability of Tobias Waddell having a son-in-law who has been detected in such irregularities as crooked gambling, intended blackmail, and fraudulent stock transactions.”
“To whom are you referring?” Tholbin’s question was harsh and sullen.
“To you,” declared Noyes.
Tholbin was on his feet, his fists clenched. His attitude was threatening.
“You can’t prove it!” he cried. “There have been lies told about me, but I spiked them! There is not a man in New York who can give evidence against me!”
“None in New York City,” replied Noyes quietly, “but there are three in New York State.”
“Where are they?” demanded Tholbin.
“In Sing Sing Prison,” replied Noyes.
Tholbin sat down suddenly. His clenched fists opened. He found himself staring hopelessly at the old lawyer. Parker Noyes was as benign as ever, but to Tholbin the kindliness in the attorney’s face had turned to malice.
“What are you going to do?” asked Tholbin, bluntly. “Give me away?”
His eyes were looking straight into those of the old attorney. Parker Noyes continued to smile, and Tholbin was amazed to detect a sign of approval.
“If I intended to end your game,” said Noyes quietly, “I would not summon you here. I have simply mentioned that you do not, on your past and present reputation, come up to the standards set by either Tobias Waddell or myself. There are certain tangible objections to your marriage with Betty Waddell. I have brought you here to learn if they can be eliminated.”
THOLBIN was puzzled. He could think of no reply. Noyes paused and stared easily past the young man’s shoulder. A book moved slightly outward from the middle shelf of the bookcase. The same volume moved again. Noyes smiled.
“Let me see.” The attorney’s tone was speculative. “As I remember it, Mr. Waddell and his daughter intend to sail for Europe within a few days. Are they going on the Bremen?”
“The Bremen sailed to-day,” corrected Tholbin. “They are sailing on the Galathia.”
“Ah, yes. So I recall. Were you, by any chance, intending to take the same boat?”
“Yes.”
“I think that Mr. Waddell is going directly to Paris. Was that your destination also?”
“Yes.”
Again, Noyes paused. He received the same signal, unknown to Tholbin. The lawyer resumed his discourse.
“Tholbin,” he said emphatically, “I am going to be frank with you! I have studied your past record — obtained from authentic sources. You have lived by your wits.”
“There’s nothing wrong about that.”
“Agreed. Your past has been unsavory, but it has only reached the borderline of crime.”
“They can’t jail me for anything I’ve done,” declared Tholbin tersely.
“No,” admitted Noyes, “you have been clever in your way. After all, cleverness is a virtue, if used with discretion. I take it that you have accumulated some resources?”
“Yes, I have money,” said Tholbin. “About fifteen thousand dollars. I can get more when I need it — and still keep clear of the borderline you have mentioned.”
“Mr. Waddell’s idea of wealth,” remarked the lawyer, “is based upon a minimum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Tell me, Tholbin, do you think that you could accumulate that sum by your wits?”
“No,” replied Tholbin dejectedly.
“Mr. Waddell thinks of the past,” remarked Noyes. “He wants to see money— available money. I think of the future. I believe that a man who had two hundred and fifty thousand dollars could keep away from crime — even away from doubtful activities. Do you agree with me?”
Tholbin laughed.
“You wouldn’t have to scratch if you had a quarter of a million,” he said. “I suppose you are going to show me how I can get that much?”
There was irony in Tholbin’s tone. Parker Noyes looked squarely at the young man; then beyond him, to the bookcase. The double signal reappeared.
“Tholbin” — the lawyer’s voice was filled with conviction — “you have made an excellent guess. That is just what I propose to do. I am going to give you two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, in return for certain services which I know you are capable of giving me!”
Tholbin’s mouth opened wide. He could not believe what he had heard; yet the lawyer’s expression was one of absolute seriousness.
“Now listen carefully, Tholbin,” continued Noyes. “I am going to tell you exactly what I wish done. You are to go with the Waddells to Paris. Is that agreeable?”
“Of course,” replied Tholbin, still amazed.
“You will go under excellent conditions,” resumed the lawyer. “I shall advise Tobias Waddell to treat you as a real friend. He will follow my advice. I shall speak to him highly of your reputation.”
“Of my reputation?” echoed Tholbin.
“Of a fictitious reputation which I shall create,” said Noyes. “Waddell is impressed by wealth. I shall tell him that you possess it. He will believe me.”
“That sounds great,” said Tholbin enthusiastically. “But I don’t see the point.”
“You will,” smiled Noyes. “I have business in Paris. While you are there, you will be approached by a certain man who will deliver items of luggage into your care. As your own luggage, by my arrangements, will be shipped with Waddell’s belongings, the new baggage will come back with Waddell, also. You understand?”
Although puzzled, Tholbin nodded. He realized that the old lawyer was contemplating some irregular scheme, and that he would not learn all there was to know. Nevertheless, there might be advantages in ignorance.
NOYES, as he watched Tholbin, also eyed the bookcase. Catching a double motion of the particular volume which he was observing, the attorney proceeded.
“The return from Paris will be unexpected,” continued Noyes. “I shall arrange that part. Your one task will be to see that the special baggage comes aboard, and is kept in an available place. I count on your cleverness to attend to that. Later, you will receive word from me concerning the disposal of that baggage.