“He can pull the wool over any one’s eyes, that fellow!” “He was stopping at Griggs’ house, and the broker had put him up at the Country Club.” “That’s right! And how the colonel has used that Country Club! The members of the club will be tickled to death if they ever find it out. You can do something to that tinhorn, Kelly, if you want to.” “I don’t want to. He was working for Levitt----” “Just as I was working for the colonel, eh? Maybe he was as badly fooled, too.” For some time McGlory leaned back in his seat and kept quiet. Matt was worried about him. “How do you feel now, Joe?” he asked. “I was just thinking,” answered McGlory, “that this hoodoo car is trying to make up for the tough times it has given us. It’s about the worst combination of cylinders, rubber tires, and spark plugs that was ever put together, but, for all that, if it hadn’t cut up a few tantrums on the Jericho Pike this morning we’d never have found out a thing about the colonel’s crooked work.” “That’s so. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good, pard.” “While the car’s running good, Matt, crowd the speed limit. Let’s get to Liberty Street as soon as we can.” Matt proceeded to follow out his chum’s suggestion. CHAPTER XV. HURLING A BOMB. Half a dozen men were gathered in the private conference room of Random & Griggs’ palatial brokerage offices in Liberty Street. One of these half dozen was the colonel. Another was Joshua Griggs. The remaining four were capitalists. Colonel Mark Antony Billings was in his element. He had never looked more impressive than he did then. Levitt and McGlory had failed to arrive in time for the meeting, but they might come later. In any event, their presence was not of supreme importance. In front of the colonel, on the mahogany table, sparkled the two bars of yellow bullion. They caught the gleams from the incandescent lights and reflected luring rays into the eyes of the capitalists. The capitalists seemed greatly impressed. Griggs--the brokerage firm was to receive a very large commission if the mine was sold--wore a broad and amiable smile. The colonel was plausible and full of tact, answering questions promptly. In the midst of the deliberations the quiet of Liberty Street was disturbed by the sputter of an automobile. For the most part, Liberty Street, in the vicinity of the brokers’ offices, was a deserted cañon at that hour. But if the automobile disturbed the quiet of the street, it did not disturb the deliberations of those in Random & Griggs’ offices. It took a rap on the outer door to do that. Mr. Griggs himself answered the summons. “McGlory and Levitt, colonel,” he called. Mr. Griggs had made a slight mistake. Hearing the name McGlory, and understanding that Levitt was expected with him, the broker had jumped at conclusions.