The Talleyrand Maxim by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
page 71 of 276 (25%)
page 71 of 276 (25%)
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Eldrick uttered an exclamation of intense annoyance and disgust. He
looked at the despoiled cheque-book, and flung it into the drawer. "Pratt!" he said, turning half appealingly, half confidentially to the clerk. "Don't say a word of this--above all, don't mention it to Mr. Pascoe. It's my fault and I must make the forty-three pounds good. Pratt, I'm afraid this is Parrawhite's work. I--well, I may as well tell you--he'd been in trouble before he came here. I gave him another chance--I'd known him, years ago. I thought he'd go straight. But--I fear he's been tempted. He may have seen me leave money about. Was he in here last night?" Pratt pointed to a document which lay on Eldrick's desk. "He came in here to leave that for your perusal," he answered. "He was in here--alone--a minute or two before he left." All these lies came readily and naturally--and Eldrick swallowed each. He shook his head. "My fault--all my fault!" he said. "Look here--keep it quiet. But--do you know where Parrawhite has lived--lodged?" "No!" replied Pratt. "Some of the others may, though!" "Try to find out--quickly," continued Eldrick; "Then, make some excuse to go out--take papers somewhere, or something--and find if he's left his lodgings! I--I don't want to set the police on him. He was a decent fellow, once. See what you can make out, Pratt. In strict secrecy, you know---I do not want this to go further." |
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