“No fooling; I know you have. Now, you use that influence for me and I’ll do something for you.”
“What’ll you do?”
“I don’t know; nothing particular. But, I mean if, at any time I can help you in any way—I’ve influence, too, with big men in the financial and business world. I haven’t always worked for the Applebys, and wherever I’ve been I’ve made friends that I can count on.”
“Oh, you mean a tip on the stock market or something of that sort?”
“Yes, or a position in a big, worth-while office. You’re not always going to be a detective’s apprentice, are you?”
“You bet I am! Watcha talking about? Me leave F. Stone! Not on your fleeting existence! But, never mind that part of the argument, I’ll remember your offer, and some day, when I have a million dollars to invest, I’ll ask your advice where to lose it. But, now, you tell me what you want.”
“Only for you to hint to Mr. Stone that he’d better advise Miss Wheeler not to marry Mr. Keefe.”
“So’s you can have him.”
“Never mind that. There are other reasons—truly there are.”
“Well, then, my orders are to advise F. Stone to advise M. Wheeler not to wed one C. Keefe.”