On arriving in Monrovia, he drove to his own house. To Mallock he issued orders.
“Go to the office and tell them I am ill,” said he, “and then hunt up Mr. Heinzman, wherever he is, and tell him I want to see him immediately.”
He did not trouble to send word directly to Orde, up river; but left him to be informed by the slow process of filtration through the bookkeepers. The interim of several hours before Heinzman appeared he spent very comfortably in his easy chair, dipping into a small volume of Montaigne.
At length the German was announced. He entered rather red and breathless, obviously surprised to find Newmark at home.
“Dot was a terrible jam,” said he, mopping his brow and sinking into a chair. “I got lots of logs in it.”
Newmark dismissed the subject with an abrupt flip of his unlighted cigar.
“Heinzman,” said he, “in three weeks at the latest Orde will come to you asking for a renewal of the notes you hold against our firm. You must refuse to make such a renewal.”
“All righdt,” agreed Heinzman.
“He'll probably offer you higher interest. You must refuse that. Then when the notes are overdue you must begin suit in foreclosure.”
“All righdt,” repeated Heinzman a little restlessly. “Do you think he vill hold that jam?”