Earl Derr Biggers

“ Minot smiled a bit cynically. "Understanding as you do how Mr. Jephson feels toward you, you will realize that it is in no sense a reflection on you that our office, viewing this matter in a purely business light, has decided that some one must go to San Marco with you. Some one who will protect Mr. Jephson's interests."
"Your office," said his lordship, reflecting. "You mean Mr. Thacker, don't you?"
Could it be that the fellow was not so slow as he seemed?
"Mr. Thacker is the head of our office," smiled Mr. Minot. "It has been thought best that some one go with you. Lord Harrowby. ”

“ Mr. Minot—really—"
I have no wish to be rude. Lord Harrowby. But it is our turn to be a little fantastic now. Could anything be more fantastic than boarding a yacht uninvited?"
"But Miss Meyrick—on whom, after all, Mr. Jephson's fate depends—is already in Florida."
"With her lamp trimmed and burning. How sad, your lordship, if some untoward event should interfere with the coming of the bridegroom."
"I perceive," smiled Lord Harrowby, "that you do not share Mr. Jephson's confidence in my motives."
"This is New York, and a business proposi'tion. ”

“ For two hours, in the library of his dub, in telephone booths and elsewhere, he sought for some tangible evidence of the existence of a wealthy American named Martin Wall and a yacht called the Lileth. City directories and yacht club year books alike were silent. Myth, myth, myth, ran through Dick Minot's mind.
Was Lord Harrowby—as they say at the Gaiety—spoofing him? He mounted to the top of a bus, and was churned up Riverside Drive. Along the banks of the river lay dozens of yachts, dismantled, swathed in winter coverings. ”