"George" What I'ave I'll 'old

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 522, 3 August 1932, Page 12

"George" What I'ave I'll 'old

By . . .

HOLLOWAY HORN.

CHAPTER VI.—(Continued.) lie took a slim, blue book from his pocket, 'and there was silence in the 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. Oherriton. “What about George?” he demanded, as if on a sudden impulse. “ ’E’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, we may be able to put him on to a good thing or so.” “I wouldn’t mind coming Vn,” said George. “Looks a good thing to me."’ “A good thing!” The Major laughed quietl}'. “It’s the good thing of tlic 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 it’s 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’s got a bit of money, and it’s only rignt that he should increase it. Money makes money. ’E’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 ’aven’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 the world, and he 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 be vested in the company. But if we, gentlemen, arc that company, we are, in my considered opinion, on flie very best tiling 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! Tha’s all I ever ask,” said Mi*. Cherriton, with a grin. “What a gent! Oh, what a pal!” he exclaimed as he returned to George, after seeing the Major off. “It was a lucky day for me when the Major took a liking to me. I’ve known ’im come in ’ere and ’ave a bit o’ supper just as 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 l whether he will settle permanent. All his interests are in London. There he’s known, believe me! Pity yxsu ’adn’t vour 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 usuallr did, and his head was muzzv. He found it difficult to think at all, 'and by the time he reached his home in Ha'lliday 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 .... I -been thinking about that money. I met a gentleman called Maior Upex.” J Mr v Strawbridge said nothing, but he wa<s watching George. “I met him at Cherriton’s .... you know, the wholesale tobacconist.” Mr. Strawbridge nodded. “I thought .... I rather thought of putting 6ome money—two thousand—into a sort of business.” “I see. Have you signed anything?” “Oh, no! They didn’t arsk me to. It was all very friendly and . . . . and . . . .” “ 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, we 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 any-

“Tt would.” said Mr. Strawbridge. “What is the invention? Artificial jam or something like that?” “No! 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 von were coming to see me?” “No.” “If I were you. George, I should be more careful in future with whom T 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 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'.von mean this i« a swindle? I .... T can’t believe it.” “But you would, if you let these precious scoundrels get a hold on any of your money. Tt looks to me like a common or garden confidence trick. I suppose Mr. Cherriton gave the major his cheque?” “He did.” said George, in surprise. ‘Tie would,” smiled Mr. Strawbridge. “I sunpose you called here for my advice ?” “Yes .... yes, I did.’*

“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. Y'ou see, I know the gentleman by repute.’* “Then I won’t do it. But I *arf promised.” “Don’t hesitate for a moment. Break the half-promise. They are a pair of “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 horse 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 me. 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 watch 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 the* Major?” “By repute, as I said. T wouldn't touch him with a barge-pole.” “An’ I took *im for a perfect gent!” “Even so,” smiled Mr. Strawbridge. “Still, if the 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 lie had been when he left Mr. Cherriton’s the previous evening. He decided that' the straightforward thing to do was to call on Mr. Cherriton at once. He 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 exit without notice.” “Oh ?” said Mr. Clierriton. “Mr. Straw bridge 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 me, has Mr. Strawbridge.” Mr. C'herriton was serious. “The Major won’t like it being talked about. Tt’s .... it’s confidential. You sec, 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. Cherlitor.” “What’s it got to do with ’im?” demanded Mr. Clierriton. “He’s been very decent to me,” George insisted. “I shouldn't go against his advice. Took here, 3'ou’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. Clierriton spoke very quietly. “You’re missing the chance of a lifetime, George.” “I’m afraid the Major was right when he said I didn’t know enough about finance.” “You don’t need to, with the Major. Leave 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. See?” The eyes of the two men met. “Somebody’s missed the chance of a lifetime,” said George in a different tone, “Only it isn’t me. It’s you and the gallopin’ Major! See? Still, I’m glad that ’orse won, Mr. Cherriton. So long!” (To be continued daily.)