Somewhere in New York, the real consul of Santander was free to proceed with his schemes, with none
to thwart him!
CHAPTER VIII. LEGIRA'S PROPOSAL
JOHN HENDRIX, financier, entered the spacious lobby of the Westerly Apartment, where he
maintained his uptown residence. He rode to the fourth floor in an elevator. There he rang a bell, and was
admitted by the solemn-faced Jermyn.
With a curt nod, the portly financier walked through the apartment, until he reached his office at the far
end. Jermyn followed him, and the two men stood together in a large and handsomely furnished room.
John Hendrix was a man who played an important part in many large enterprises. As a result, he seldom
appeared in the downtown offices where he held connections. He relied chiefly upon capable
subordinates.
Those who obeyed his dictates came frequently to his apartment, where he held conferences in this
office. Hendrix gave many orders by telephone, and, while he was away, he left matters temporarily in
the hands of Jermyn, who was the embodiment of secretarial efficiency.
This afternoon, Hendrix looked about his office; then sat down at a big desk, and began to go through a
list of papers that Jermyn had left for his consideration. Hendrix disposed of the papers one after another,
making terse statements that Jermyn appeared to understand.
Hendrix stopped suddenly as he came to one penciled notation. Jermyn watched his employer as
Hendrix read the sheet a second time. Then the financier swung in his swivel chair and faced his man.
“What did Mr. Legira have to say?” he questioned.
“Just what I have noted there, sir,” replied Jermyn. “He is very anxious to see you, sir. He called the
afternoon that you went out of town, and seemed very annoyed when I told him that you would not
return for two days.”
“Bah!” ejaculated Hendrix. “Why should he be annoyed? I waited for him one entire week, and heard
nothing from him. Why should he become hurried, of a sudden?”
“I do not know, sir. He left that telephone number that I have noted. He wants you to call there and ask
for Mr. Lengle. He acted as though it were quite urgent, sir.”
“It is urgent,” declared Hendrix thoughtfully. “Let me see”—he glanced at his watch—“three o'clock.
Suppose you call the number, Jermyn. If Legira is there and wants to speak to me, let me know.”
“Very well, sir.”
Jermyn went to a telephone, and put in the call. Hendrix heard him ask for Mr. Lengle. Then the servant
spoke to the financier, holding his hand over the mouthpiece of the telephone.
“He wishes to see you as soon as possible, sir. It is Mr. Legira.”
“Tell him to come here!” snapped Hendrix.
Jermyn relayed the message and hung up the telephone.
HENDRIX began to go over other papers, but tossed them aside, and arose from the chair. Pacing the
floor, he appeared to be perplexed, and Jermyn watched him with an air of apprehension.
“He wants to see me,” muttered Hendrix. “He is coming immediately, you say, Jermyn?”
“Yes, sir.”
“He did not state his business previously?”
“No, sir.”
“Of course not—of course not. I know his business. Nevertheless, this is a bit odd. Very irregular,
Jermyn—very. Our arrangement calls for me to deal with Legira, alone. That is fortunate for him. If the
others knew of this delay and this secrecy, there might be objections.”
