"George"

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1932, Page 17

"George"

By . . . HOLLOWAY HORN.

CHAPTER Vl.— (Continued.)

He took a slim, blue book from his I pocket, and there was silence in the I room as he wrote the cheque. "Two thousand pounds," he said, as he blotted it and handed it over. "You'll have a fifth share. I suppose I had better let Sir James put up the remaining two thousand. I'm not keen on the fellow, as you know, Cherriton, but he's been out of luck lately. Still, I may do so myself, but I've so many irons in the fire along now." "And all nicely warm, thank you very much," chipped in Mr. Cherriton. "What about George!" he demanded, as if on a sudden impulse. " Mi's a very deserving young fellow. "He doesn't understand finance, I'm afraid," said the Major. "In a few years' time, perhaps, when he has had more experience, wo may be able to put him on to a good thing or so." "I wouldn't mind coming in," said George. "Looks a good thing to me." "A good thing!" The Major laughed quietly. "It's the good thing of the twentieth century. But you know nothing about it, I'm afraid." "What do I know about it?" demanded Mr. Cherriton. "All I know is that its Major Upex behind it, and that's all I want to know. Now, we're all pals 'ere. An'- we're going to be better pals. George is like us . . . he'd got a bit of money, and it's only rignt that he should increase it. Money makes money. 'B'll understand about it gradual. I reely do think you should give the lad a chance." "Well . . . I'll put you down for a fifth share, then. In eighteen months' time it means that you will be half a millionaire, if not more. It's a revolutionary invention." "I 'avcn't got my cheque book. Tell you what, I'll look in in the morning, Mr. Cherriton, and fix it with you." "Jus* as you like. Only don't miss it. It seems all wrong to me that this fellow Sir James should make all this money when we can quite well put up the necessary between us." "I really don't mind," said the Major. "After all, George is a man of tho world, and ho will obtain experience. Naturally, you will both be registered as directors. I shall be chairman, of course. Nakimoff, the inventor, will receive a sum down for his invention, the entire rights of which will then bo vested in the company. But if we, gentlemen, are that company, we are, in my considered opinion, on the very best thing that modern finance has to offer." " 'Ear, 'ear," said Mr. Cherriton. "And now I must go. Sorry that horse wasn't at a better price." "It won, Major! all I ever ask," said Mr. Cherriton, with a grin. "What a gent! Oh, what a pal!" he exclaimed as ho returned to George, after seeing the Major off. "It was a lucky day for me when the Major took a liking to mo. I've known Mm come in [ere and 'ave a bit o' supper just ae if he were an or'nary individual." "I never heard of him before I met 'im here." "I don't suppose you would 'ave. He's took a house up Oak Road, and he's, considering whether he will settle permanent. AIJ his interests are in London. There he's known, believe me! Pity you 'adn't your cheque book with you. I shouldn't like 'im to refuse to let you in. He seemed 'arping on the fac' that you aren't what you might call experienced in business. 'E's a funny chap— if he thought you wasn't dead keen, he ! wouldn't look at you."

Somebody Misses a Chance. George walked slowly homeward that evening, through the deserted streets. He had drunk far more than he usually did, and his head was muzzy. He found it difficult to think at all, and by the time he reached his home in Halliday Street, had wisely given up all effort to do so. In the morning George's brain was working more efficiently than it had been the previous evening and 10 o'clock found him at the bank. "Can I 'ave a word with you, sir?" he asked the manager. "Come into the office. Now .... what is it?" Mr. Strawbridge had a pleasant smile. "Well ... .1 been thinking about that money. I met a gentleman called Major Upex." Mr. Strawbridge said nothing, but he was watching George. "I met him at Cherriton's .... you know, the wholesale tobacconist." Mr. Strawbridge nodded. "I thought .... I rather thought of putting some money—two thousand— into a sort of business." "I see. Have you signed anything?" "Oh, no! They didn't ar.sk me to. It was all very friendly and .... and . . . ." "Informal?" suggested Mr. Strawbridge. "Yes. Informal. Mr. Cherriton is putting in two thousand as well." ''Is he? What is the business." "Well, I'm not quite sure. You see, wo had a bit of supper there last night." "I see." said Mr. Strawbridge. "Did the gentleman —the major—mention the business at all?" "Oh, yes! .... It's a new invention made by a Russian. Kov .... something or other. It ended in koff anyway." "It would," said Mr. Strawbridge. "What is the invention? Artificial jam or something like that?" "Nol Nothing like that. It 'ad to do with motors." . "Dear me!" said Mr. Strawbridge. "Water-driven motors. The Russian had done something to the atom, the major said." "I hope not without provocation," said Mr. Strawbridge. "They didn't know vou were coming to see me?" "No." "If I were you, George, I should be more careful in future with whom I had supper," said Mr. Strawbridge in a serious tone. His meaning broke on George. "What d'you mean?" "Just that. Look here, now. The great bulk of your money is on deposit. You are required to give seven days' notice before you draw it out. See?" "Yes." said George doubtfully. "And I am quite willing, informally to discuss the matter with the major, if he comes to call here." "Look here, sir, d'you mean this is a swindle? I .... I can't believe it." "But you would, if you let these precious scoundrels get a hold on. any of your money. It looks to me like n common or garden confidence trick. _ I suppose Mr. Cherriton gave the major his cheque?" "He did," said George, in surprise. "He would," smiled Mr. Strawbridge. "I suppose you called here for my advice?" "Yes .... yes», I <Bd* '

"Well, I would urge you to draw out your money and give it away rather than 'invest' it with Major Upex. You would get a certain amount of gratification in giving it away. You sec, I know the gentleman by repute." "Then I won't do it. But I 'arf promised." "Don't hesitate for a moment. Break tho half-promise. They are a pair of knaves." "I won ten pounds by backing a horse through the Major," George pointed out. "You've got the money?" "Yes. He gave it to me last night." "The horse's name wasn't Sprat, by any chance?" "No." "To catch a whale, George. Still, keep the money. If the Major said the hor.se won, I don't doubt that it did. Keep it!" "What am I to say to them ?" "Tell them to call to see me. Say that you know so little about the financial side of Big Business, that you think you'd rather they explained the proposition to mc. Say I suggested it, if you like. They won't come, you know. Naturally, what I've said to you is confidential." "Course. It sort of unsettles you," George explained. "I'd have banked on both of them!" "I hope to goodness it's a lesson to you. You'll lose every penny you've got if you don't watcli out. This Major person would not have been satisfied with two thousand. There would have been other schemes, even more promising. Ho would have sucked you as dry as a squeezed orange." "D'you know tho Major?" "By repute, as I said. I wouldn't touch him with a barge-pole." "An' I took 'im for a perfect gent!" "Even so," smiled Mr. Strawbridge. "Still, if tho lesson isn't wasted, it may be exceedingly valuable. As a matter of fact, I was about to suggest an investment to you. Five per cent War Loan. You will probably make a bit. I should put five thousand pounds in it at once." When George left the bank, he was almost as muzzy as he had been when he left Mr. Chcrriton's the previous evening. He decided that' the straightforward thing to do was to call on Mr. Cherriton at once. Ho found him wearing his fearsome Fair-isle jersey. '"Alio!" he called, when George entered his shop. "Come on in, George. Always glad to see a pal." He led the way into the inner room, and as George passed the assistant he grinned at him in a friendly way. The two had played football together.

"I say, George," the assistant said in a whisper, "Watch out!" And without saying anything else turned away.

"Now, what about a spot?" Mr. Cherriton demanded. "No thanks," said George. "Too early. I been into the bank to arrange about that money. Got most of mine on deposit, as they call it, and you can't get it out without notice." "Oh?" said Mr. Cherriton. "Mr. Strawbridgo seemed to think that you'd better talk it over with him first. You o the Major, that is." "Did you tell 'im what it was for?" "In a way, I 'ad to. He's been jolly decent to mc, has Mr. Strawbridge." Mr. Cherriton was serious. "The Major won't like it being talked about. It's .... it's confidential. You see, if it gets out, the inventor will 'ave all sorts of offers for his . invention. Secrecy's 'arf the battle." "Well, that's 'ow it stands, Mr. Clierritor." "What's it got to do with 'im?" demanded Mr. Cherriton. "He's been very decent to me," George insisted. "I shouldn't go against his advice. Look here, you'd better let Sir James come in. He's anxious to, the Major said. I don't think I am, this morning." "Well . . . it's just as you wish," Mr. Cherriton spoke very quietly. "You're missing tho chance of a lifetime, George." 'Tin afraid the Major was right when ho said I didn't know enough about finance." "You don't need to, with the Major. Leavo it to 'im. That's my motto." "I got a motto, too,'' said George, with a sudden grin. "What's that?" "What I 'ave I'll 'old. Sec?" The eyes of the two men mot. "Somebody's missed the chance of a lifetime," said George in a different tone, "Only it isn't me. It's yon and the gallopin' Major I See? Still, I'm glad that 'orse won, Mr. Cherriton. So long!" (To be continued daily.)