Full Text Archive

Full Text Archive
https://www.fulltextarchive.com
don't care to tell any more than you can help, and we don't care to have you tell any more than
we absolutely need. We will have to have the name of the city, of course, and the name of
either the man or the woman; but not necessarily both of them, unless you want to help us in
that way. Sometimes if you give us the name of one party--say the man, for illustration--and the
description of the woman--an accurate one--or a photograph, we can tell you after a little while
exactly what you want to know. Of course, it's always better if we have full information. You suit
yourself about that. Tell me as much or as little as you please, and I'll guarantee that we will do
our best to serve you, and that you will be satisfied afterward."
He smiled genially.
"Well, that bein' the case," said Butler, finally taking the leap, with many mental reservations,
however, "I'll be plain with you. My name's not Scanlon. It's Butler. I live in Philadelphy. There's
a man there, a banker by the name of Cowperwood--Frank A. Cowperwood--"
"Wait a moment," said Martinson, drawing an ample pad out of his pocket and producing a lead-
pencil; "I want to get that. How do you spell it?"
Butler told him.
"Yes; now go on."
"He has a place in Third Street--Frank A. Cowperwood--any one can show you where it is. He's
just failed there recently."
"Oh, that's the man," interpolated Martinson. "I've heard of him. He's mixed up in some city
embezzlement case over there. I suppose the reason you didn't go to our Philadelphia office is
because you didn't want our local men over there to know anything about it. Isn't that it?"
"That's the man, and that's the reason," said Butler. "I don't care to have anything of this known
in Philadelphy. That's why I'm here. This man has a house on Girard Avenue--Nineteen-thirty-
seven. You can find that out, too, when you get over there."
"Yes," agreed Mr. Martinson.
"Well, it's him that I want to know about--him--and a certain woman, or girl, rather." The old man
paused and winced at this necessity of introducing Aileen into the case. He could scarcely think
of it--he was so fond of her. He had been so proud of Aileen. A dark, smoldering rage burned in
his heart against Cowperwood.
"A relative of yours--possibly, I suppose," remarked Martinson, tactfully. "You needn't tell me
any more--just give me a description if you wish. We may be able to work from that." He saw
quite clearly what a fine old citizen in his way he was dealing with here, and also that the man
was greatly troubled. Butler's heavy, meditative face showed it. "You can be quite frank with me,
Mr. Butler," he added; "I think I understand. We only want such information as we must have to
help you, nothing more."
"Yes," said the old man, dourly. "She is a relative. She's me daughter, in fact. You look to me
like a sensible, honest man. I'm her father, and I wouldn't do anything for the world to harm her.
177 / 312

---