Page 41 - The Great Gatsby

30 The Great Gatsby Gatsby's past 31

T had no idea whar 'chis matter' was, bue I was more annoyed It turned out, however, that he was not speaking to me, but
rhan intcrcsred. I hadn't asked Jordan Bakcr to tea in order ro to Garsby.
discuss Mr Jay Gatsby. 'I handed che money to Karspaugh and I said, "Ali right,
As wc drove at high speed into New York, wc were stopped Katspaugh, don't pay him a cent until he shuts his mouth."
by a policeman on a motorbike. He shut it then and there.' Mr Wolfshiem gave a pleased smile.
'Ali right, old sport,' callcd Garsby. He rook a white card Gatsby took both of us by the arm and moved us roward a
from his pockct and waved ir at the policeman. table. Thc head waitcr brought cocktails.
'Right you are,' agrccd che policeman politely. '1'11 know you Mr Wolfshicm turned to me. '1 understand you're looking
next time, Mr Gatsb y. Excuse me!' for a business connection,' he said.
'What was that?' l asked Gatsb y. 'The picture of Oxford?' Gatsby said quickly, 'Oh no, chis isn't che man.'
'l was able to hclp che chicf of police once, and he sends me 'No?' Mr Wolfshiem seemcd disappointed.
a card cvcry year.' 'This is just a friend. I told you we'd talk about that somc
Wi:; drove over che grear bridge, wirh the sunlighr on che ocher time.'
moving cars, and thc city rising up across thc river. New York The food arrived, and we started eating.
seen from the Quecnsboro Bridge is always che ciry seen for thc 'Look here, old sport,' said Garsby, turning to me. 'l'm
i
r
fi st time, n its first wild promise of ali che mystery and che afraid l made you a little angry chis morning in che car.' There
beauty in the world. was che smile again, bue chis time I was able to fighr against ir.
'Anyrhing can happen now thar we've come over this bridge,' 'I don't like mysteries,' I said, 'and I don't understand why
1 rhought, 'anyrhing at ali ... ' you won't tell me honestly what you want. Why has ir ali got
Even Gatsby could happen, without any particular wonder. to come through Miss Baker?'
'Oh, it's nothing unpleasant, l promise you. Miss Baker's
By midday it was vcry hot. 1 lcft my officc and met Gatsby for a great sportswoman, you know, and she'd never do anything
1 lunch, in a cool Forty-second Srreet restaurant. When I arrived, that wasn't ali right.'
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he was there already, talking to another man. Suddcnly he looked at his warch, jumped up and left che
'Mr Carraway, chis is my friend Mr Wolfshicm,' Gatsby said room, leaving me and Mr Wolfshiem together.
1
to me. 'He has to tclephone,' said Mr Wolfshiem. 'Fine man, isn'r
Wolfshicm was a small, Aat-nosed man of about fifty, with he? Handsome to look ar, and perfect manners. He wenr to
a large head and two tiny eyes. one of che mosr famous colleges in che world - Oxford College
'Sol took one look at him,' said Mr Wolfshicm, shaking my in England. You know it?'
hand, 'and what do you think l did?' 'I'vc hcard of ir,' I said. 'Have you known him long?'
'What?' I asked politely. 'Since just after the war. Ir only rook mean hour to discover