Arthur B. Reeve

“ THE EAVESDROPPERS "I suppose you have heard something about the troubles of the Motor Trust? The other directors, you know, are trying to force me out."
Rodman Brainard, president of the big Motor Corporation, searched the magnetic depths of the big brown eyes of the woman beside his desk. Talking to Constance Dunlap was not like talking to other women he had known, either socially or in business.
"A friend of yours, and of mine," he added frankly, "has told me enough about you to convince me that you are more than an amateur at getting people out of tight places. ”

“ There was nothing of the adventuress in it as there had been in Blanche Leblanc. "And," he finished, almost biting off the words, "I decided to cut it out."
"How does Blanche Leblanc figure in the Motor Trust trouble?" asked Constance keenly.
"They had been shadowing me a long time before I knew it, ferreting back into my past. Yesterday I learned that some one had broken into Miss Leblanc's apartments and had stolen a package of letters which I wrote to her. It can't hurt her. People expect that sort of thing of an actress. But it can hurt the president of the Motor Trust—just at present." ”

“ It was not the first time Constance had been made a confidante of the troubles of the heart, and yet there was something fascinating about having a man like Brainard consider her worthy of being trusted with what meant so much to him. ”

“ If it is good for them, is it not just as good for us?"
"Better!" he exclaimed. "By George, you are the goods."
It was late before Constance had a chance to do anything with the microphone. It seemed as if Worthington were staying, perversely, later than usual. At last, however, he left with a curt nod to her.
The moment the door was closed she stopped the desultory clicking of her typewriter with which she had been toying in the appearance of being busy. With Brainard she entered the board room where she had noticed Worthington and Sheppard often during the day. ”

“ Constance read from her first notes that part relating to the conspiracy to control Motors, carefully omitting the part about the Leblanc letters.
"It's a lie—a lie."
"No, it is not a lie. It is all good legal evidence, the record taken over the new microphone detective. Look up there over the chandelier, Worthington. The other end is in the top drawer of Miss Dunlap's desk."
"I'll fight that to a finish, Brainard. You are clever but there are other things besides Motors that you have to answer for." ”

“ They reverse the usual process. It is doing good that evil may result."
He watched her face intently. Something in her expression seemed to please him. "By George," he thought to himself, "this is a man's woman. You can talk to her."
Brainard, accustomed to quick decisions, added aloud, "Just now they are using Mrs. Brainard as a catspaw. They are spreading that scandal about my acquaintance with Blanche Leblanc, the actress. You have seen her? A stunning woman—wonderful. But I long ago saw that such a friendship could lead to nothing but ruin." He met Constance's eye squarely. ”

“ It began over—well—over what they call a serious difference in temperament. You know a man—an ambitious man—needs a partner, a woman who can use the social position that money gives not alone for pleasure but as a means of advancing the partnership. ”

“ Play their own game—ahead of them—accelerate it."
It was just after the lunch hour that Constance resumed her place at her desk with the receiver at her ear.
There were voices again in the board room.
"My God, Sheppard, what do you think? Someone is selling Motors—five points off and still going down."
"Who is it? What shall we do?"
"Who! Brainard, of course. Some one has peached. What are you going to do?"
"Wait. Let's call up the News Agency. Hello—yes—what? Unofficial rumor of prosecution of Motors by the government—large selling orders placed in advance. ”