The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-04-25

sir, SO ventured to bring this will
with me-" said the man.
What! you have actually stolen
it ?n cried Alfred Laking.
'T have it here, anyway" return.
ed Crumber, coolly, as be produced
document from his pocket. Il can
put it back where / took it from
within an hour. Of course, it is nc
earthly use to me-"
Let me see it." said Alfred LAX
ing, in hoarse voice, seating him
self in his chair again.
Crumber unfolded the document
and glanced at it, apparently reflect
ing whether it would bs wise to part
with it. But after a pause he laid ii
on the desk, saying:
'Im treating you Like a gentle
man, sir, you must promise to return
it to me"
"Yes, yes" said Alfred Laking
stretching out his hand impatiently.
Some moments elapsed before the
agitated gentleman codid compose
himself sufficiently to take in the
contents of the will. Hefirst turned
to the final page. which bore the
signature of the testaPfand the at
testing witnesses.
So far as he could judge, the sig
natures were genuine, md the doc
ument had evidently been prepared
several months ago, the edges of the
paper being discolored Snd the ink
faded. 1t was dated few weeks be-
fore Colonel Laking's death. and
was, therefore, in all pro- liability the
last will he had made3 When he
came to read it carefolly, Alfred
Laking's lingering hope that the
document might boa brgery was
quickly dispelled. !
From internal evidenle it was un-
doubtedly genuine, the names of va
rious persons and places being men,
toned which no strange could have
fabricated. The Colond appeared
to have left his propeky to some
distant relatives, subject to a few
charitable bequests. The nephew's
name was not mentioned, and an old
military friend was appointed exec
utor.
Alfred Laking read the will over
two or three time, keeping his face
concealed from Crumber, who mani
tested a good deal of impatience. AT
length he aroused himself from his
unpleasant reflections, folded up the
fatal document, and fixed half
frightened, half defiant gaze upon
his visitor.
"What do you propose to do with
this ?" be said, nervouslx
swell, sir, that depends upon
you" replied Crumber. s.If you ad-
wise me to put it back cpd remind
the governor of it, well and good"
But Alfred Laking didnot hasten
to advise this straightforward course.
He kept silent for a long time, fidg-
eting nervously with the document
he held in his hand, and at length
Crumber spoke.
"You see, sir, nobodv knows 81
the win but you and me. Suppos-
ing we were to throw it upon the fire
yonder, who would be the wiser ?"
"How dare you suggest such a
thing?" cried Alfred Laking, with a
show of virtuous indignation 1T
would be criminal offense."
Il suppose you wouldn't split on
me, sir, if | was to do it." suggested
Crumber in whisper. "The fact is,
sir, I'm thinking Of emigrating. !
don't mind the risk. Give me a
thousand pounds and the trick is
done"
1t was q sudden determination,
taken half in desperation and halt
from sheer fright. The will was de-
stroyed, and early the next morning
Cumber started for America from
Liverpool with Fl, 900 in gold in his
pocket.
Alfred Laking went and saw him
off, having in fact, declined to hand
over the money until he was safely
on board the ship.
Upon his return to London, feeling
in spite of his misgiving, more re-
lieved and light hearted than he had
been since his uncle's death, his ex-
huberant spirits received a sudden
check in consequence of the receipt
of letter from Mr.. Mayne, which
ran thus:
LINCoLN's-INN-FIELDs.
SIR: formerly acted profession
ally for your late uncle, Colonel Lax
ing, and shall be glad if you will give
me call at your earliest convenience
on matter ofimportance.
Yours faithfully,
JNo. D. MAYNE.
Accordingly he presented himseli
at Mr.. Mayne's Office the morning
after receiving the letter, looking
very pale and nervous, though max.
ing every effortto appear at perfect
ease.
Il wrote to you, Mr.. Laking,"
said the old lawyer, when they had
exchanged greetings, because have