"Certainly not," said Evan. "His concern in the matter doesn't begin until he gets the securities."
"Well, I'll take a chance," said Deaves, handing over the letter.
It is hardly necessary to state that Mr. Verplanck received both the letter and the bonds in short order.
CHAPTER XXIV
CONCLUSION
The Simeon Deaves story began to appear in the editions that came out at four o'clock that afternoon. Every paper in New York featured it. The clever re-write men did their best on it, and the accounts varied, though the main facts remained the same. Many of the papers ran a two-column cut. Evan bought them all and retired to his room to await developments.
The first came in the shape of a note from George Deaves, reading:
"The bonds were delivered to Mr. Verplanck shortly after my note. He telephoned me, and I have just returned from seeing him. I suggested you as the third member of the trust, to which he was agreeable. You will be in charge of the administration, and a proper salary will be paid you out of the fund. If you are agreeable please see Mr. Verplanck to-morrow at eleven. Papa has been out since lunch. I shall not mention to him that you had any foreknowledge of the affair, so he won't suspect any collusion between us.
G. D."