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’I can stop the rot if you reive me carte blanche to sack anyone who has been involved in the thefts, starting tomorrow’

’Well now, Abel, I wish the problem was as simple as that!

’The problem is just that simple,’ said Abel ’And if you won’t let nation as of thisa part of the most corruptly run hotel in America!

’Couldn’t we just deer? Then I could er and the problem would come under your control!

’Never,’ replied Abel ’Pacey has over two years to go and has a firet him in line yo&ll be dead or bankrupt, or both, as I suspect all of your other hotels are being run in the sao, you’ll have to o to the wall on your own Take it or leave it’

’Us Texans have a reputation for speaking our mind, Abel but we’re sure not in your class Okay, okay, I’ll give you the authority As of this er of the Chicago Richo; he’ll join reat South - west Abel,his new rateful You’ve done a great job in Chicago, and froht - handso well on the Stock Exchange I haven’t even noticed the losses, so thank God I have one honest friend

Why don’t you stay overnight and have a bite to eat?’

’I’d be delighted to join you, Mr Leroy, but I want to spend the night at the Dallas Rich to let anyone off the hook, are you, Abel?’

’Not if I can help it’

16

That evening Davis Leroy gave Abet a sumptuous meal and a little too much whisky which he insisted was no more than Southern hospitality He also ad for sos a little easier