Swirling Waters by Max Rittenberg
page 83 of 435 (19%)
page 83 of 435 (19%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
use of his son-in-law's name with the other prospective Directors and on
the printed prospectus just as though Matheson were personally sanctioning it. Larssen himself planned to remain in the background and pull the wires unseen. When the revelation of Matheson's death came to light--as it inevitably must in the course of time--Letchmere would be so far involved that he would be forced to shoulder responsibility for the use of Matheson's name. To try to rush matters with Sir Francis would perhaps wreck the whole delicate machinery of the scheme. Larssen quickly resolved to get at him in indirect fashion through Olive, and accordingly he answered evenly: "Think it over by all means. There's plenty to consider. Take the draft scheme and look it through at your leisure.... Now what's the plan of amusement for to-night?" Before going to the Casino, Olive made an excuse to return to her rooms at the Hespérides. Alone in her bedroom, she took out from a locked drawer a hypodermic syringe in silver and glass, and a phial of colourless liquid. She held the phial in her hands with a curious look of furtive tenderness, fondling it softly. For many months past this had been her cherished secret--the drug that unlocked for her new realms of fancy and exquisite sensation. To herself she called it by a pet name, as though it were a lover. In the course of the evening's play at the tables, Larssen was struck with her increasing animation and gaiety. The heavy, listless look had |
|