perhaps you are right. And I think you understand how important it is, not only for me but also for you and Ryan, that this thing be guarded very carefully. I have talked with Ryan about it and he doesn’t seem to appreciate that point as he should.
“Now what I want to ask is this: For our protection, will you keep a very close watch on Ryan? I mean stay with him at all times. Don’t let him out of your sight a moment, for he may see or talk to someone who will tip the whole thing off. Don’t let him shake you under any circumstances. And don’t let him suspect that you are watching him. Now I will be very busy for the next few days, but I will ’phone you at least once a day and you report to me if everything is going nicely. If Ryan gets out of hand, just let me know and I’ll be right up and give him a talking to. By the way, could you get him to share your room?”
Here it is sometimes customary to shift the mark to another hotel. The insideman suggests a quiet and obscure hotel where they will be safe from the newspaper reporters who are in and out of the lobby of the big hotel. The mark induces the roper to move with him and they stay together until the mark is trimmed.
“Perhaps I could,” says Fink, “but I’m not anxious for that much of his company.”
“Well, it is for the best interests of all of us,” says Lamster. “And I know that you can arrange it without making him suspicious. Now, I’ll see you at the bank at nine in the morning.”
Although Mr. Fink has no inkling of it, the “switch” is now complete. His confidence has been transferred from Mr. Ryan to Mr. Lamster and the tie-up is complete. From now on he won’t let Ryan out of his sight. This may be a little hard on the nerves of Mr. Ryan for stormy times are ahead, but it leaves Mr. Lamster free to handle other marks whom other ropers are bringing into the store for a play. And, lest we feel too sorry for Mr. Ryan, his nerves are strong. He has been through this many times before.
That night Fink persuades Ryan to check out of his suite and share a room. Ryan isn’t particularly interested, but Fink points out that they may be there some time and it will be much more economical. Ryan finally agrees. They move in together and the eagle eye of Mr. Fink misses no move which might be interpreted adversely. Most of all, he tries to keep Ryan from coming in contact with outsiders. Mr. Ryan, who knows just how far to excite his suspicions so that he will not become bored with his vigil, seems to be always just on the verge of telling the whole plan to some stranger.
Next morning at nine they meet at the bank. Mr. Lamster seems to be well known there. He waits upon the president, introduces his companions, and explains that both these men want to have some assets transferred from up north as quickly as possible. The president is most obliging, for he receives a commission on whatever Mr. Fink will yield.
He has both Ryan and Fink make out checks for the amount they want transferred. Ryan signs his for $17,000and Fink for $25,000. Mr. Lamster leaves his own personal check for $8,000. The banker assures them that he will open their accounts as soon as the money arrives.
The monotonous period of the “tie-up” now continues. Mr. Ryan, who shows increasing tendencies toward irresponsibility, is subject to the most rigorous examination. All his motives are suspect. Every move he makes is watched by Mr. Fink, who reports once a day to Mr. Lamster. Fink comes to feel that he and he alone stands between Mr. Lamster and disastrous publicity. Ryan talks mostly about the $256,000 they are going to split. He wants to go out and paint the town red. Fink trembles when he thinks of what a few well-placed drinks might do. They eat in their room. They sleep in their room. They read magazines. It is much safer if Fink does not see the newspapers.
Fink experiences half-day periods of elation during which he anticipates strongly the money they are
“Now what I want to ask is this: For our protection, will you keep a very close watch on Ryan? I mean stay with him at all times. Don’t let him out of your sight a moment, for he may see or talk to someone who will tip the whole thing off. Don’t let him shake you under any circumstances. And don’t let him suspect that you are watching him. Now I will be very busy for the next few days, but I will ’phone you at least once a day and you report to me if everything is going nicely. If Ryan gets out of hand, just let me know and I’ll be right up and give him a talking to. By the way, could you get him to share your room?”
Here it is sometimes customary to shift the mark to another hotel. The insideman suggests a quiet and obscure hotel where they will be safe from the newspaper reporters who are in and out of the lobby of the big hotel. The mark induces the roper to move with him and they stay together until the mark is trimmed.
“Perhaps I could,” says Fink, “but I’m not anxious for that much of his company.”
“Well, it is for the best interests of all of us,” says Lamster. “And I know that you can arrange it without making him suspicious. Now, I’ll see you at the bank at nine in the morning.”
Although Mr. Fink has no inkling of it, the “switch” is now complete. His confidence has been transferred from Mr. Ryan to Mr. Lamster and the tie-up is complete. From now on he won’t let Ryan out of his sight. This may be a little hard on the nerves of Mr. Ryan for stormy times are ahead, but it leaves Mr. Lamster free to handle other marks whom other ropers are bringing into the store for a play. And, lest we feel too sorry for Mr. Ryan, his nerves are strong. He has been through this many times before.
That night Fink persuades Ryan to check out of his suite and share a room. Ryan isn’t particularly interested, but Fink points out that they may be there some time and it will be much more economical. Ryan finally agrees. They move in together and the eagle eye of Mr. Fink misses no move which might be interpreted adversely. Most of all, he tries to keep Ryan from coming in contact with outsiders. Mr. Ryan, who knows just how far to excite his suspicions so that he will not become bored with his vigil, seems to be always just on the verge of telling the whole plan to some stranger.
Next morning at nine they meet at the bank. Mr. Lamster seems to be well known there. He waits upon the president, introduces his companions, and explains that both these men want to have some assets transferred from up north as quickly as possible. The president is most obliging, for he receives a commission on whatever Mr. Fink will yield.
He has both Ryan and Fink make out checks for the amount they want transferred. Ryan signs his for $17,000and Fink for $25,000. Mr. Lamster leaves his own personal check for $8,000. The banker assures them that he will open their accounts as soon as the money arrives.
The monotonous period of the “tie-up” now continues. Mr. Ryan, who shows increasing tendencies toward irresponsibility, is subject to the most rigorous examination. All his motives are suspect. Every move he makes is watched by Mr. Fink, who reports once a day to Mr. Lamster. Fink comes to feel that he and he alone stands between Mr. Lamster and disastrous publicity. Ryan talks mostly about the $256,000 they are going to split. He wants to go out and paint the town red. Fink trembles when he thinks of what a few well-placed drinks might do. They eat in their room. They sleep in their room. They read magazines. It is much safer if Fink does not see the newspapers.
Fink experiences half-day periods of elation during which he anticipates strongly the money they are
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