“Tell him the truth,” said Jimmy. “That’s the easiest thing you could do, isn’t it? You’ve nothing to hide.”
“And you make that date clear,” added Mr. Cooper. “Just as you did to us. That’s the big point—show him that Hope told you the idea the evening of the same day Jimmy first came in here.”
Merkle nodded.
“And when Hope comes to you after lunch now, don’t you put him wise. You keep mum. Act just as if nothing had happened. Tell him you’re ready to tell the chief all you know.” Jimmy chuckled at the double meaning of this. “Just let him go ahead with his plans in his own way. He’ll get his, all right, or I don’t know a thing about the chief’s methods.”
The chemist nodded again emphatically. “He tried to pull that crooked business on me—that you couldn’t do to Merkle and get away with it.”
“And listen, Merkle”—the office manager laid his hand earnestly on the little chemist’s arm—“there’s going to be a lot of money in this if it goes through—plenty for everybody. I’ll see you get what you earn—and that’ll be a good slice. You know me, and you know the chief. You don’t want that in writing, do you?” he finished with a grin as he remembered Merkle’s account of his very last business transaction with the secretary.
Mr. Merkle offered his hand. “What you say it’s like a government bond with me, Mr. Cooper,” he declared emphatically.
Mr. Leffingwell Hope had his interview with the president, just as he had planned. He went in alone, directing Merkle to wait outside until he sent for him.
Mr. Wentworth listened with his customary attention to what his secretary had to say. His eyes narrowed, and his lower jaw came out a little when Mr. Hope stated specifically that the idea was his own; but he did not interrupt.
Mr. Hope was very brief. He merely set the salient features of the scheme before his principal; then he called in Mr. Merkle.