"But
they don't seem to have caught on."
He strolled away, and Montague stood watching the people in the
lobby. He saw Jim Hegan come and enter the elevator, in company with
an elderly man whom he recognised as Bascom, the president of the
Empire Bank, Waterman's own institution. He saw two other men whom
he knew as leading bankers of the System; and then, as he glanced
toward the desk, he saw a tall, broad-shouldered man, who had been
talking to the clerk, turn around, and reveal himself as his friend
Bates, of the Express.
"Humph!" thought Montague. "The newspaper men are 'on,' after all."
He saw Bates's glance sweep the lobby and rest upon him. Montague
made a movement of greeting with his hand, but Bates did not reply.
Instead, he strolled toward him, went by without looking at him,
and, as he passed, whispered in a low, quick voice, "Please come
into the writing-room!"
Montague stood for a moment, wondering; then he followed. Bates went
to a corner of the room and seated himself. Montague joined him.
The reporter darted a quick glance about, then began hastily:
"Excuse me, Mr.
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