The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-08-18
ABBEVILLE s. G., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 49, 1875

Room, FIVE minute5 ago, andwas to see him
before he went away. wonder II ne
hasn't gone off in g. fury?'
The girls looked shyly ct each other as
Grover made this false explanation, but
said nothing. Eugene, however, was satis-
fed, and said no more on the subject
"I must go to town." he finally said,
rising, "and may be detained until noon.
Shall I call here on my way back, Bertha,
or will you be at home"
"There" said Fanny, with assumed in
dignation, "you don't seem to care about
seeing me-"
"You are getting jealous Of this busi-
ness, which takes 80 much time, ore you,
my daring?' laughingly responded Eu-
gene. "I will come here then, Bertha,
and wish you would remain. may have
something to tell you ALL" =
After leaving his friends, he at once
sought the attorneys Office, and was
agreeably disappointed at finding him there,
and busy at work. The door leading into
the rear room, however, was locked. =
"Good morning, Mr.. Gray" said the !:
young man hastily, as he advanced into the
room, q" l hardly expected to find you here
to-day. after that dreadful accident which
occurred after I left here last night. Ia
the body in that room yet?'
els it possible that you haven't heardF'
asked the attorney.
"Hsard what ? have but just arisen,'
replied Eugene.
The attorney then briefly related the
later events of the preceding night, ad-
ding, "I shall use every effort to secure
the detection Of the thieves, although the
chase after them may be long one. Such
outrages ought not to SO unpunished.'
"It is very mysterious aiiuir," said
Eugene absently. after be had listened to
the story. Gould Grover have had hand
in this work3" was tho question tbat he
was turning over and over in his ulind.
He could hardly believe that his friend
would resort to such questionable means
to advance his mad theory, but ho could
account for the occurrence in no other way.
"Pshawp' he finally muttered to HIM
self, II am not bound to account f9r the
robbery at all, and I will tLiuk no more
about it,"
"You are ready to complete my business
this morning, suppose" he said to the
attorney.
eyes, yes," said Gray, II was working
at that when you came in. You can sign
these papers as soon as you like. You will
notice, however," he added, nervously,
"tha. have doubled my fee. I find" he
went on without seeming to notice Eu-
genes surprised looks or to hear lis as-
tonished doubled it, Mr.. Grayp' II find
that the property is almost without limit,
that there may be opposition if the matter
is delayed, and that the whole atfair is
more in my hands than l thought Last
night"
1.-Two hundred thousand dollars is very
large fee, Mr. Gray" said Eugene.
aft is less than twenty per cent. OF the
property, Mr.. Wallingford, but you can do
us you like about signing, of course"
81 refuse to sign!" said Eugene hotly.
"If MIR. Wallingford willed his property to
me, l can get possession Of it in spite Of
you, Galen Gray. If he did not, wouldn't
give you as many dollars as you aux thou
sands to put it in my possession"
Every well" said the attorney, coolly,
"but when you make up your mind to that,
you virtually throw million dollars over
your shoulder; for you can never handle q
dollar Of this property without my assist
ance. told you frankly ut the start that
I should require large fee. l also told
you that alone knew of the existence OF a
will Have you ever seen that will Have
you ever heard ME soy in uny ones pres
encs that there was such willp Be rea-
sonable, Mr.. Walingford. II you should
90 out of this office now, and proclaim
broadcast that MIR. Wallinsford lett will
and that / had it in my possession, aud
should deny it, which of us would be be.
lieved2 You would be an interested party
and I would not. The whole matter
amounts to Just this: have certain know
lodge in my possession which no one else
else on earth has. 1t will bring you mil.
lion dollars. ! ask two hundred thousand
dollars for it Will you give it ?"
"Ths information you possess" SAID
Eugene, "must have been bought dearly.
One would think that it was the price OF u
crime"
al don't want your suppositions, young
man." said the attorney, sharply. "Do you
uccept my terms 2"
"Yes,' said Eugene, hesitatingly, ~ 40
cept because believe that am in your
power 80 fur as the property is concerned.
ing to the table. II see that you have pre-
pured blank chequo in plnce Of the agree
ment."
at can make no difference to you, sup
pose" said the attorney, al smiles now
that the large fee seemed almost IN his
hand. "That ends the matter ut once, and
the bank account in New York would stand
q larger draft than that"
The papers were soon signed and Eagene
arose to take his departure.
"Stay," said the attorney. ~ will show
you the will.
He took the document from an inner
drawer in his safe and held it open before
the young man. With the exception Of
one or two small sums bequeathed to the
housekeeper and the servants at the house,
the whole estate was willed to "Roland E.
Wallingford, son of George and Margaret
Walling ngford, who was born in the village
of Fayetteville twenty-four years ago come
December" The will wus dated at Boston,
but few weeks before the mil-owner's
death.
81 am satisfed," said Eugene. I sup
pose all will be arranged in u very lew days
now"
Your choque will be good for half
million in less thnn g week" said the at
toruoy, blundly, as his visitor passed out.
CHAPTER XII