Shadowed Millions

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.”

“Mr. Legira was very secretive, sir,” observed Jermyn. “He asked that I say nothing whatever about his call — that I speak only to you, sir.”

Hendrix nodded and continued his pacing. Then he returned to the desk, and busied himself with other matters. His work was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. Hendrix looked at Jermyn. The faithful underling understood. This must be Legira. Jermyn left to answer the door.

He returned with Alvarez Legira in person. John Hendrix glanced askance at his visitor.

Usually well and smoothly groomed, Legira now formed a marked contrast to his usual self. His clothes were rumpled, his face was poorly shaven, and his mustache was drooping. Yet his smile was suave as he held out his hand to Hendrix.

“A surprise, eh?” he questioned quietly. “Ah, Mr. Hendrix, I am sorry that you were away. It has caused me great inconvenience. Yet it will not matter greatly—”

He paused and looked doubtingly at Jermyn.

“Proceed, Legira,” said Hendrix gruffly. “Jermyn is my confidential man. Do not worry about his being here with me. What do you want, Legira?”

“The time has come for the delivery of the money,” declared the consul solemnly. “The shipment must be made at once — in accordance with our agreement.”

“Very well. Where shall I send it?”

“I do not wish you to send it,” said Legira. “I wish to take it.”

The man’s tone was suave as he began to curl the points of his disarrayed mustache. Hendrix blinked solemnly. Legira smiled. In characteristic fashion, he produced his cigarette holder and a package of cigarettes.

“This is irregular, Legira,” declared Hendrix, in a disapproving voice. “It was my understanding that I was to arrange shipment of the funds when you requested it—”

“That is not entirely correct,” interposed Legira. “The terms of agreement expressly called for final negotiations to be terminated between ourselves. Thus I have given you my definite proposal. I should like to obtain the ten million dollars this afternoon.”

As Hendrix appeared doubtful, Legira became insistent. He pressed his plea with all his accustomed suavity.

“You have confidence in me,” he purred, “just as I have confidence in you. You are the agent of the financiers; I am the agent of Santander. There is reason in my method. Hence I am relying upon you—”

“I should like to know the reason.”

Legira bowed and drew a sheet of paper from his pocket. He laid it upon the desk, and indicated a tabulation with his forefinger.

“You see,” he said, “there are three ships that sail within the next four days. I intend to travel upon one of them. I shall have the money in my custody. Every one of those boats either calls at a port near Santander or connects with another ship that will serve my purpose.”

“Which one do you intend to take?”

“I do not know. That I shall decide later.”

“Legira” — Hendrix spoke in an emphatic tone — “this proposal calls for careful consideration. Our payment of ten million dollars was based upon the belief that there could be no complications in a deal transacted with the government of Santander. Your present actions indicate an uncertainty.”

Legira was cunning in his reply.

“Uncertainty with Santander?” he queried. “Indeed no, Mr. Hendrix. Your man here will tell you that I called you two days ago. Had you been in town at that time, there would have been no difficulty. I had made arrangements then.

“It was you who caused the uncertainty. Because of that, I thought it best to adjust my plans accordingly. I had arranged passage on this ship” — he indicated one on the list — “but I canceled it for fear that I would not be able to communicate with you in time. Canceled passages — with reengagements — are not a good practice, Mr. Hendrix. That is why I have thought it best to be secretive.”

THE explanation was vague and unsatisfactory to Hendrix. Nevertheless, the financier was forced to admit that he had been at fault. He could not question Legira’s present actions, because he himself was somewhat responsible. The shrewd South American saw that he had gained a point. He was quick to press it.

“Why worry, Mr. Hendrix?” he asked quietly. “Nothing has arisen to change our negotiations. You are authorized to give me the money; I am authorized to receive it. I have stated that I wish it now — so that I may ship it as I see best.

“I understand Santander, Mr. Hendrix. False rumors there might lead to difficulties. It has seemed best for me to deliver the ten million dollars in person. That is to your great advantage.”

“Perhaps,” agreed Hendrix. “But it might be best to call another conference.”

“No!” exclaimed Legira. “That would be a grave mistake. We settled our plans when we met before. Steamship sailings have been a trouble to me. One week I was forced to wait for a suitable vessel. Now, I have the opportunity to sail — but you have caused me a delay. It is wise to act at once; to let me do however I have planned.”

Hendrix slowly opened a desk drawer. He took out a stack of papers. He began to go over them, while Legira watched him craftily. Hendrix pondered on a typed agreement. Legira leaned close and indicated certain paragraphs.

“You see?” he questioned in a low voice. “See there? It empowers us, as agents, to deal as we see best—”

“Certainly,” interposed Hendrix. “Nevertheless, it calls upon our mutual satisfaction with any proposed arrangements. I am simply considering the limits of my power, Legira.”

“Ah!” Legira’s voice was triumphant as he snatched a paper from the pile that Hendrix was holding. “You have forgotten this, Mr. Hendrix! You will remember that it was in those papers which I submitted with my plan!”

Hendrix looked at the paper. It bore the wording of a receipt, stating that Alvarez Legira had been intrusted with the funds supplied by the New York financiers.

“Yes,” mused Hendrix, “I had forgotten this. I recall it now; we had it so that I or any other agent who might take the money to Santander could deliver it to you there—”

“It does not mention Santander,” interrupted Legira. “That paper was intended for such a situation as this, Mr. Hendrix. If you will deliver the money to me, as I have just requested, I shall sign that document, and thus relieve you of all responsibility.”

Hendrix was weakening. The discovery of the special paper among the other documents was a clinching argument for Legira. With the tables swinging in his favor, the South American used all his natural gift of persuasion.

“It is a matter of mutual trust and confidence,” he declared serenely. “You were chosen by your friends; I was chosen by mine. I foresaw that the final negotiations in this matter could best be handled by two men who saw alike.”

“Where were you when I called you by phone?” demanded Hendrix suddenly. “Who is Lengle?”

“Lengle is myself,” smiled Legira. “Surely, you must understand the situation, Mr. Hendrix. When I realized that it would be necessary for me to go in person to Santander, I did not engage a passage in my own name.”

“Why not?”

“Because I was not sure of you. The word might have reached my country that I was coming there — then I would not appear. That would be very bad. It would create an impression of uncertainty. So I signed as Lengle — Albert Lengle — and called you afterward.

“When I learned that you were out of town, I decided it would be best to remain as Lengle at the Corona Hotel. I have been very careful while there, for I must not be recognized. You understand?”

“I don’t like it,” said Hendrix bluntly.

“Perhaps it is because you do not understand our ways,” remarked Legira. “In Santander, there has been much intrigue. We of that country know well that we must be careful in our dealings. I am giving you assurance that all is well. It would be a great mistake for you to have doubts, Mr. Hendrix. My plans are made. Why should they be destroyed?”

HENDRIX folded his arms and looked dubious. He stared at Legira, and the South American met his glance with a frankness that was disarming. It seemed that Legira had a faculty for reading the thoughts of others.

“You are wondering about my appearance,” said the South American, stroking his roughened chin. “Ah, Mr. Hendrix, you forget that I have been staying at a hotel, wondering when I should hear from you — waiting in anxiety.”

Hendrix nodded. His doubts were fading. He felt that he was confronted by a difficult problem.

He could not well refuse Legira’s request. It would not be wise to consult with other members of the financial group. Hendrix wanted a middle ground; and he found it.

“All right, Legira,” he said suddenly. “I can let you have the funds. How soon do you need them?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Where do you want them delivered?”

“I shall call for them.”

“Alone?”

“No. With my trusted man, Francisco.”

“Very well.”

Hendrix called Jermyn. He gave the man certain telephone numbers to call. As each of the numbers were obtained, Hendrix took the telephone and gave orders to subordinates. Legira looked on, calmly enjoying this display of efficiency, the manner in which the financier was arranging for the accumulation of ten million dollars in cash and government bonds.

At length, the work was ended. Hendrix turned to Legira and indicated the paper which served as a receipt.

“It would be best for you to sign this before you leave,” said the financier. “I have arranged for the funds to be delivered to you at the Baltham Trust Company, tonight at nine o’clock. I shall give you a signed order.

“You should leave here at quarter past eight. You can wait until then before signing the receipt. Unless, of course, you feel that you should not sign the receipt until you have actually received the funds.”

Legira reached for the paper. He took a pen and affixed his signature to the bottom of the sheet.

“Your word is sufficient, Mr. Hendrix,” he said. “I consider the funds as already in my possession. I am satisfied.”

Hendrix nodded in acknowledgment of the confidence which Legira felt. Everything had been done in fair fashion. Legira had heard the discussion of all the arrangements.

“You will receive the ten million from Roger Cody,” declared Hendrix. “Since you have signed the receipt, I shall give you the order now. Cody is my representative who will be at the Baltham Trust Building. He will have the funds in a special box.”

“Excellent,” said Legira. “Now, I shall call my servant, Francisco. He is not at my residence. He left a few days ago. May I use your telephone?”

“Certainly,” said Hendrix.

While Legira was calling, Hendrix leaned over the desk and began to write the order to Cody. He inscribed a few paragraphs; then crumpled the paper and threw it away. He began again, and concluded the work. Legira finished phoning; Hendrix blotted the paper and gave it to the South American.

“Come,” said Hendrix, in a friendly tone. “You will be my guest until quarter past eight. We can have dinner served here. Let us go into the library. Perhaps you would like to see its unusual arrangements.”

Legira smiled as he accompanied the portly financier. He had good reason to feel elated. His persuasion had accomplished much to-day.

Legira, as a schemer, felt a marked superiority over Hendrix, whose negotiations were all conducted in a methodical, open manner. It had been an easy triumph. Hendrix and Jermyn! In Legira’s estimation, they were two simple souls who could not hatch even the ingredients of a conspiracy.

In that, the suave South American was mistaken. For while he and Hendrix were strolling through the spacious apartment, Jermyn was busy back in the office. The solemn-faced servitor was opening the crumpled paper that Hendrix had written and then tossed aside.

Instead of an incomplete order to Roger Cody, Jermyn discovered definite instructions.

Jermyn indulged in a smile as he tossed the paper in the wastebasket. He had heard all that had passed between Hendrix and Legira. Now, by a simple and effective method, the financier was planning to frustrate Legira’s schemes, should they be false.

Between eight fifteen and nine, Hendrix would confer with Powell. Should the financier and the investigator decide against Legira, the suave consul from Santander would be balked. One word to Roger Cody, over the telephone, would end any scheme for possession of the funds.

Yet Hendrix was managing this so artfully that Alvarez Legira could not possibly suspect the doubts which the financier still maintained!