McNally's Gamble Read Online Free PDF

him, try to set up an appointment, and if you succeed, go see him.”
    “Won’t he ask where I got his name?”
    “Sure he will. Tell him you were at a cocktail party and heard one of the guests singing his praises and so you decided to look him up. I think he’ll buy it.”
    “But why am I looking him up?”
    “Because you have some money to invest.”
    “Cool,” Binky said happily. “How much do I have—a million?”
    “Let’s start small. Tell him you have about fifty thousand dollars in CD’s and money-market funds but you’re looking for higher yields.”
    “But I haven’t got fifty thousand, Archy.”
    I sighed. “I’m aware of that, Binky. But tell him you have to get his reaction.”
    “And that’s all you want—his reaction?”
    “Of course not. I want a physical description of the man himself. Is his address a home, or an office? Is it a shabby joint, or impressive? Does he have an assistant or a secretary? How is he dressed? In other words I want to learn as much as possible about him and his business.”
    Binky took a deep gulp of his drink and was pleasantly surprised. “Simon did add the Irish Mist,” he said. “Archy, is this man a criminal or even a suspect?”
    “That’s what I’m trying to determine.”
    “Why don’t you go see him yourself?”
    “This is a very complex inquiry, Binky,” I said earnestly (I can do earnest), “and there are many other leads I must follow. I’m depending on you to investigate Clemens. That’s his name: Frederick Clemens.”
    “Should I tell him my name?”
    I thought a moment, sipping my own plasma. “I don’t see why not,” I said finally. “If he runs a trace he’ll find you’re the closest relative of a wealthy dowager. It will help convince him you really do have fifty thousand bucks to invest.”
    Priscilla brought our platters and, with Binky’s approval, I ordered two steins of draft beer. Lunch looked enormous and we attacked it vigorously.
    “What if he asks for the money?” Binky said. “I have eighteen dollars in my bank account.”
    “Don’t talk with your mouth full,” I pleaded. “You’re splattering me. I don’t think he’ll want the cash immediately. He’ll probably check you out first. He may suggest some investments he thinks are suitable for you. If he does, remember what they are. I’d like to know.”
    “Archy, what is sauerkraut?”
    “Cabbage.”
    “It is?” he said, astounded. “I hate cabbage—it’s so smelly—but this is delicious.”
    “Binky, stop talking about cabbage and listen to me. When you visit Clemens, dress conservatively—no T-shirt or sandals. And be careful of what you say. You’re supposed to be a well-to-do young man, possibly heir to a fortune, who is serious about increasing his income. Do you think you can play the part?”
    “A piece of cake,” he said. “I’m an excellent actor. I once went to a reception for the president of France and pretended I was the American ambassador.”
    “Did you get in?”
    “No. But only because the ambassador was already there—a woman.”
    “Good preparation on your part,” I remarked. “Try to do better with Frederick Clemens. And I suggest after you leave him, you make notes of the meeting so you don’t forget anything you heard or observed.”
    “I don’t have to make notes; I have an excellent memory.”
    “Do you? What day is this?”
    “Thursday.”
    “Binky, it’s Friday.”
    “What happened to Thursday?” he said, much aggrieved.
    I gave up, convinced now I was committing a horrible blunder in assigning this simp to make the first contact with Clemens. But then I consoled myself with the hope Binky’s nuttiness might make him attractive to the financial consultant. If he was a professional con man he’d recognize Binky as a perfect pigeon, ready for plucking.
    We finished lunch, too stuffed for dessert, and I signed the tab. I gave my goofy henchman the scrap of paper with Clemens’s name, address, and