Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

BIG GAME. than self-interest, as John Forsythe consid- ered himself first and every one else second. He was a man now. His twenty-sixth birth- day was past, and he felt that he had reached the point where he could begin the hunt at any time, his efforts in the past having been preliminary only to the real chase. _The only restraint, the inhi- .. bition that kept him from leaving Fyske, Fyske & Browne, was the caution inherited from Josiah Forsythe. He. was losing nothing. Those friends he was making—friends who had several: times imparted to him information of-no little value—would be worth still more later. Fyske, Fyske & Browne were not the big- gest firm in Chicago; and as his knowledge ‘of the firm’s affairs grew he realized that the practices of the house were dangerously near the line, so close that a hair was the only partition between legality and law- breaking; but they brought in the money, and John Forsythe was satisfied. — " In this new understanding he saw why -the doddering, almost senile Reginald Fyske occupied the position of president, and why he was allowed to toddle about the office speaking to customers and patting the backs of clerks. He was there for the same rea- son as there was a display in front of -Ben Johnson’s store. Customer bait—that was it.. His: benevolent appearance, his trim white beard, his conservative; gold rimmed spectacles, gave an air of respectability to the establishment, the air of respectability that Fyske, Fyske & Browne needed. © John Forsythe was prospering. The num- ber of employees of Fyske, Fyske & Browne was increasing constantly, and with the in- crease in the number of names on the pay roli.new customers were added to his loan business. His rates, however, remained as they had always been. In time he accu- mulated a surplus which he invested in first class securities—securities recommended by Mr. Browne himself. This was part of For- sythe’s strategy. From the day he had placed his personal check in Browne’s hands Browne treated him more as an equal and on several occasions discussed matters of policy with him, ignoring completely the spectacled, gray ‘head, and the bundle of human energy associated with him. 735 “ Qld Fyske’s in his dotage and Tommy’s nothing but a jumping jack,” Browne ob- served one afternoon when he and Forsythe were alone in the private office. ‘“ They’re both useful, however, even if they are only scenery. You stick to me and—” John Forsythe’s heart jumped. Though the sentence was uncompleted, he recog- nized a definite promise, a protaise by a kindred soul. - “Pm not promising anything, % cOntin- ued Browne as though he had read the thought. to the ground and every time you’re tempt- ~ ed to talk sew a button on your mouth.” -Browne closed: his.large, white teeth on ‘Als cigar in a manner suggesting a period to that sentence. _-““Pve been watching you,” he went on. after a slight pause. ‘I know about your loan business, but that’s your own affair. If those dammed fools-out there can’t take care of themselves, I don’t feel called upon to look after themi., De -~ employer in the eye. Forsythe looked his If he was seeking ad- missions, he would be disappointed. . Browne.met the look and laughed. ‘ I’m not trying to get anything on you,” he said, still chuckling. ‘“ Old Reggy Fyske might cut up rough if he knew what you were doing, but he couldn’t see even with another pair of specs, and besides I can handle him. As for Tom, all he can see Instead of replying, is the day’s business. He doesn’t even know that next week’s coming.” Forsythe was. or ‘her point of replying that he had perceived that himself a-long time ago; but having been told to-sew a button on his mouth when he felt like talk- . ing, he applied the needle at once. He was certain, however, that Browne knew that he was telling him nothing other than what he had learned by his own observa- tions, From that time on John Forsythe. threw himself into the business: with a new’ in- tensity, calling in some of his. loans that he might give more time to Fyske, Fyske & Browne. Visions of collaborating with Browne when he was in actual control did not dazzle him. to such an extent that he neglected detail. The only time he took comicloookks “* But you keep your ear clamped CO _——_‘é