on a job an' I was just stringin' 'm along nice when you
comes buttin' in an' rings down the curtain on me, see. I's workin'
fer Brady then. An' when I says the Honorable Milt has white wings
folded acrost his back I says it sincere, believe me. Him 'n' me went
fishin' together in the same punt last week!"

CHAPTER XII

KENDRICK MAKES A TOUCHDOWN

Phil's first impulse in hurrying back to the city had been to deliver
President Wade's letter to Nathaniel Lawson, and with that introduction
to find out how much Nat Lawson knew about his friend's plans. The
possibility that the financier might be able to throw some light upon
Ben Wade's object in placing McCorquodale on guard at Sparrow Lake at
first seemed sufficient justification for broaching the matter. But on
second thoughts, Phil hesitated; if his chief had not seen fit to
mention it to his own secretary who was most vitally concerned, it was
unlikely that he had said anything to Lawson. In that case Wade might
consider that his secretary had been very indiscreet in volunteering
the facts. By the time he was ringing the doorbell at the Lawson home
next evening, he had decided to say nothing about the matter.

Beneath the gentle courtesy of Old Nat's welcome Kendrick sensed a
strength of character that commanded deference. The young man liked
him at once. The ready pucker of the crowsfeet about those kind eyes
put him quickly at ease, and as they sat on the "back piazza" that
overlooked an old-fashioned flower garden they were chatting like a
pair of old acquaintances. Horticulture was a hobby with Nat Lawson
and Kendrick's intelligent interest in the subject placed them at once
on a friendly footing. It was a little early yet to see the wonderful
garden at its best, his host explained after they had made a tour of
it; he must come and see it in another month or so, or even in a few
weeks, when the pergola would be smothered in roses.

Among other things contained in Wade's letter, which Phil had just
delivered, it was evident that his new chief had asked Lawson to post
the bearer in regard to Loan Company affairs, particularly to tell all
he knew about J. C. Nickleby; for of his own accord "Old Nat" began to
talk freely of the past. It was soon apparent that he considered
Nickleby an impostor whose motives were not to be computed by a
self-respecting comptometer.

"Nickleby is a scamp and I might even qualify the statement, sir, by
addition of