Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Man with the Watches
"AndnothingwouldhavestoppedthemiftheyhadonlystucktocardsandNewYork,buttheymustneedscomeupRochesterway,andforgeanameuponacheque.Itwasmybrotherthatdidit,thougheveryoneknewthatitwasundertheinfluenceofSparrowMacCoy.Iboughtupthatcheque,andaprettysumitcostme.ThenIwenttomybrother,laiditbeforehimonthetable,andsworetohimthatIwouldprosecuteifhedidnotclearoutofthecountry.Atfirsthesimplylaughed.Icouldnotprosecute,hesaid,withoutbreakingourmother’sheart,andheknewthatIwouldnotdothat.Imadehimunderstand,however,thatourmother’sheartwasbeingbrokeninanycase,andthatIhadsetfirmonthepointthatIwouldratherseehiminRochestergaolthaninaNewYorkhotel.Soatlasthegavein,andhemademeasolemnpromisethathewouldseeSparrowMacCoynomore,thathewouldgotoEurope,andthathewouldturnhishandtoanyhonesttradethatIhelpedhimtoget.Itookhimdownrightawaytoanoldfamilyfriend,JoeWillson,whoisanexporterofAmericanwatchesandclocks,andIgothimtogiveEdwardanagencyinLondon,withasmallsalaryanda15percentcommissiononallbusiness.Hismannerandappearanceweresogoodthathewontheoldmanoveratonce,andwithinaweekhewassentofftoLondonwithacasefullofsamples.
"Itseemedtomethatthisbusinessofthechequehadreallygivenmybrotherafright,andthattherewassomechanceofhissettlingdownintoanhonestlineoflife.
