raw. He couldn't get the money back anyhow, if I sent it to
Verplanck as from myself."

Evan was quick to see the advantages of this arrangement, but he took
care not to show too much eagerness. "Very good," he said, "if you are
willing to take the responsibility."

A round pink spot showed in either of Deaves' waxy cheeks. "Willing!"
he said, with more spirit than Evan had ever seen him display. "I'd do
anything, _anything_, to get such a story in the papers! It will make
the family! And how pleased Mrs. Deaves will be!"

Evan had his own ideas as to that, but he did not voice them.

Deaves wrote the letter.

"Would you mind posting it on your way out?" he said.

"I'll take it directly to Mr. Verplanck's office, since time is an
object," said Evan casually.

"If you will be so good," said Deaves. A sudden terrified thought
arrested him in the act of turning over the letter. "But suppose the
bonds are not forthcoming?" he said. "Could Verplanck come down on me
for them?"

"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."

Evan answered:

"I accept with pleasure."

Shortly after this, Simeon Deaves turned up at Evan's room. It was
evident as soon as he spoke that he had not ye