The Dugdale Millions — page 144: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

134 THE DOGDALE BIILLIONS, Stevens, and presented the letter written by Mr. Stanton to Mr. Boyd. ‘‘Now what does Stanton want with that scamp?’’ inquired Mr. Boyd, after he had read the letter. ‘*Pierson was disbarred twelve years ago. I know all about it. I was on the committee presenting the charges. Yes, he’s in the real estate business, and I guess has done pretty well atit. He's ashppery old fellow, shrewd and plausible. If you are about to have any dealings with him, be on your guard. His reputation is bad.’’ Thus forewarned, Dick went up to 128th Street. He found that Orton Pierson conducted his real estate business in the basement of his dwelling. In this real estate office Dick found an elderly person, not ungen- tlemanlike in appearance, whose hair was white and long, and whose face was covered with a long white beard and mustache, who rose in a polite manner to greet him. Having learned that the elderly gentleman was the person he sought, Dick proceeded to his business. ‘*T have some inquiries to make, Mr. Pierson,’’ he began, ‘‘which at the outset may seem to be an imper- tinent interference in your private affairs.’’ Could Dick have observed the old man’s eyes as he talked, he would have seen them suddenly hght up with an alert expression, and as suddenly sink into emiiness, bot he could not, fer their relative posi- tions were such that a strong light was in Dick’s face, while that of Mr. Pierson was in the shadow. ““Take a seat, sir,’’ replied Pierson graciously. **You do not look like a man who would make imper- tinent inquiries, without good reasons.’’ Dick sat down, endeavoring to place his chair so that the light would not beso full upon him. But the old man, without seeming to do so, outmaneuvered him and their positions remained, sitting, as they had been standing. comicbook C@ 3