Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-30
NO. 261.
Gales ano Skettbes.
THE MISSING DEED.
From a London Magazine.
CHAPTER I.

tween Henry Fortress Of the irst part Ralph Howard
and Frederick Pollock ofthe second part. William
part. and Thomas Burt and sidney Forrest Dysart Of
the fourth part. Whosoever shall bring the same to
No. 70 Bedford row, sha receive the above reward
"No Mr.. MOrpeth; l am sorry to say,
no news whatever"
The speaker was Mr.. Sharpe the senior
partner Of the firm of Sharpe 4 Floyd,
whose advertisement, as above, had ap-
peared at intervals in all the leading news
papers during nearly six months prior to
the date OF our story. Mr.. Sharpe was
seated in his special sanctum, to which
none but the more important clients Of the
firm were ommitted. On the opposite side
| of the table sat middle-aged gentleman,
whose look of eager anxiety and nervous
haste was in striking contrast to the placid
selfpossession Of his solicitor. Mr.. Nor
peth's impatience scarcely gave him time
to remove his hat and gloves before he
broke out with the anxious questions,
"Well, Mr.. Sharpe, any news OF the mis-
sing deed?" and received the reply above
quoted.
"But, good heavens my dear sir, in an
other fortnight the causes comes on for
hearing! What on earth is to be done p''
"We can apply for an adjournment. il
you like; but. of course, 1t IL only putting
off the evil day. You know my opinion
about the matter.''
THAT the deed is no longer in exis-
tence l can't won't believe it. At any
rate, let us make another trial. would
willingly give thousand if it could be re-
covered"
..Quite hopeless, my dear sir. You
have already increased the reward from
f1OO to E30O. If the deed was still in ex-
istence the holder would have been only
too glad to restore it for fifth part of
such a reward. You may make up your
mind that it has been destroyed, either
purposely or accidentally; cannot say
which, and don't like to conjecture but
in any case You may rest assured that the
reason it is not produced is, that it is be-
yond production in fact, that it no longer
exists"
1T is all very well for you to talk in
that philosophical manner; but how on
earth are We to prove our case without
itp"
1T will be uphill work, grant but
as our leader, Mr.. Brass. told you in con-
sultation last week, the case is by no
means hopeless. The deed being lost,
and no copy in existence, parole evidence
will be admissible. The difficulty il (and
it is no use mincing the matter), the evil
dence in question will be exclusively that
of interested parties; and, considering
the very large amount that is at stake,
that is point the other side will naturally
make the most Of"
mo doubt thew will: that is lust What
drives me frantic, and you talk Of it as
calmly as if you were discussing the tel.
ephone, or the last new planet. know.
and you know, that my cause is Just and
right To think that and nv poor wife,
the very soul of honor, should have to
stand up on the witness box and be insult
ed with insinuations that we are swearing
falsely for the sake Of few thousands.
Good God! it makes my blood boil to
think of it. feel almost inclined to say
that will give up the whole thing rath-
er than face such an ordeal.'
NAY. my dear sir" said Mr.. Sharpe,
alarmed at the threatened collapse of
promising litigation, THAT would never
do. To give in at this stage would be
tantamount to an admission. with most
people, at any rate, that you had no case
all along. No. no; You must try the for
tune of war. The first struggle will not be
final in any case. If you are beaten, of
course you will carry the case to the
Court Of Appeals; and know the other
side intends to do so, If we are fortunate
enough to get the best Of it,"
"A second chapter of TORTURE" groaned
Mr.. Morpeth. Il really believe it will
almost kill my wife. tell you what Mr.,
Sharpe, at any rate we will make one
more effort. Put in the advertisement
again-every day until the trial comes off,
and make the reward $500"
Mr.. Sharpe shrugged his shoulders.
1T won't make any difference. you may
rest assured but as the reward is not at
all likely to be claimed, it does not matter
whether YOU offer three hundred or five.''
He touched the bell and took up the
Times which lay upon the table. A smart
Young fellow entered in answer to his
summons, and he continued, handing him
the paper:
Here, Halliday. copy out this adver-
tisement again. but making the reward
$500 instead of three; and then take it
round to the advertising agent and ask
him to insert it in all the dailies for the
next fortnight. Well try the experiment
at any rate, Mr.. Morpeth but am afraid
can not encourage you to hope much
from the result"
1T is forlorn hope. Mr.. Sharpe, do
admit, but l won't lose even a shadow Of
chance if can help it. If it only brings
back the deed, shall regard my E5O0 as
extremely well invested. can assure
you"
CHAPTER III.
Tom Halliday was copying clerk and
messenger in the Office Of Messrs. Sharpe
& Floyd. He was just two and twenty,
wrote capital hand, had capital appe-
tite and earned eighteen shillings week,
which, till lately had sufficed for his mod
crate needs.
We say TIL lately. for, some months
previously, Tom had, in a rash moment,
J fallen in love, which he found to lead him
into extravagant outlay in ponatum and
neckties. and in various waysto constitute
a considerable tax on his modest resources.
His sweetheart was the daughter Of wOr-
thy widow, who was caretaker or "laun-
dress" of certain house ofChaucery lane.
in which Messrs. Sharpe 4 Floyd had for
\ merly rented offices. Hence Toms &c
quaintance with Mrs. MOyse and her
daughter, Bessie Moyse worked - :