The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-27
| one HO LILO ";
Or, the Peril of the Penroys.
CHAPTER XIV.
AN UNPLEASANT INTERRUPTION.

~
Xwindow,n returned the lawyer. "a look
butside will make every thing plain sailing
{again."
4 Procuring the lamp Mr.. Gripes leaned out
Unto the night, flashing the glow up and
blown the porch that ran the length of that
hide of the house. He saw nothing of the
&ost paper. and as there was scarcely
movement of air, it was not likely that the
-hocument had been cast out by the wind.
II 1t was but few feet from the window to
$the porch and both men proceeded at once
10 ~earch the premises.
e No discoveries were made, however, save
\ that the imprint of a foot was found in the
Atarden where the ground was soft and
&>ttamp.
VI The track was followed to the sidewalk.
sQkhere all trace was lost.
Somebody IS on to your tricks, Captain"
4 said Mr. Gripes, after the twain stood once
nmore in the lawyers room.
1 A black look came to the face of the dis
Icomfited Captain.
at seems evident that theft has either
fSkeen committed, or else ="
n The ferret eyes Of the lawyer were fixed
Hin keen gaze on the face of the speaker.
I "Well, Captain!"
4 "Or otherwise you are playing double
agamel"
"Indeed! am gentleman, SIR"
4 doubtless"
4 Il have professional honor at stake,
4 captain Starbright. Rather than 90 con-
u <ary to my convictions OF right, sir. would
Xpluck out my righteye."
An incredulous smile moved the tawny
Lpustache of the Captain.
/ The LAWYER ga not seem to be offended,
Ehowever. Evidently he understood the man
The was dealing with perfectly. 1t would be
| q hard matter to AFRAID the feelings of a
Imam like Seekmore Gripes, who had been
- <6r more than forty years criminal de-
Ifender of the most constituencies type.
I His class exist and nrey on the public in
fall large towns, as the reader knows, and
lin giving his character an airing no offense
6 Smeant toward that large class of honor
3/tbe men who make law their calling in life
II There was no Disgusting the fact that the
Twill was lost Gripes knew that it was
ustolen, the Captain could not be sure. In any
Eevent he was puzzled and deeply chagrined
IL do not understand it," finally muttered
= captain Starbrlght ''Who could wish to
kdestroy the villa"
''That is not for me to say Yos ought to
Ibe posted"
81 can think of but one who would be ben
fe6ted by such villainy," said the Captain.
"WhO is that?'
"Mrs. Penroy.'
'Exactly."
sit can not be that she has had hand in
this. She hasn't the requisite nerve to do
Isuch a thing"
s. PA weak woman, ehs' smiled the lawyer.
fs'I find them the hardest cases in my expert
fence"
Then you imagine that she, that faded
widow, without life enough to more than ex-
Est, has comprised ten miles of space at
Fhight, WATCHED your movements with the
keen eyes Of a detective, and at an oppor-
e Inc moment snatched this precious paper
4 rom your tables'
GsJ'I can't say that 1 do. 1t is for you to
1draw differences"
DO YOU intend to go back on me, Mr..
~ 3ripes!"
n "Not if you show proper shrewdness.
ykF'"W hat would you advised
~ ''That you find that will at the earliest
Ypossible moment"
"But that may be impossible. The one
lwho would steal the will would not hest
tate to destroy it."
True enough
IF the will is destroyed we lose every
ything"
Undoubtedly"
Il "Mrs Penroy being the only direct living
heir to Morgan Vandible would inherit
every thing l know she hates me and
she would not hesitate to -"
- ~ see, l see" interrupted Mr.. Gripes.
N x'But you must excuse me from further con-
Tsideration of the case tonight. 1t may be
necessary for you to employ detective. If
this woman you mention is so timid and
weak. she would hardly dare DESTROY Ia
Twill. 1t may Dc UlaJ sne VIII ne open TO
tcompromise. Move cautiously, Captain,
4 pad see her at the earliest moment. It's a
Dad piece of business anyhow"
Then the little man resumed his seat at
the table and turned his back on his client.
Ignored completely.
This move on the part of the willy lawyer
did not please Captain Starbright, and he
lSecretly resolved on revenge at some future
s(ame.
The Captain promised to call again and
then departed. He had left his horse at
lone Of the hotel stables. The distance was
4 AYearly half mile. He had proceeded but a
view rods when pedestrian brushed against
him proceeding from the opposite direction
At the same moment the Captain felt a
hand touch his. AS the stranger swept on
vCaptain Starbright felt bit of folded pa
vpe in his palm.
Quickly he turned about and called after
THE pedestrian. No answer was vouchsafed
IThen the Captain fastened on until the
rays OF street lamp greeted his vision
IUnder this he paused and consulted the
Ipaper so strangely thrust into his possession
~, "CLINToN STARBRIGHT: The storm you
n ave invoked will soon burst. | give YOU
, EAir warning that you may be on the defen-
Wave. Nothing you can now do will save
from fha ll-x
win the Vandble millions. The old million
nare left a will, not the one to which his
name was forged-you are left out in the
Icold. A FORMER FRIEND"
Thenote puzzled and enraged the Captain
HIS thoughts reverted at once to the person
who had once before thrust note of warn
ling into his hand-Louis Fingal. Doubtless
ms hand was in this although the penman-
9ship was not similar.
40 BY my soulr' ejaculated Captain Star
Horght. as he continued on his way, ''this
mote inspires me with new hope. can see
: fSne hound that is working against me.
~rSSAm not the only one who seeks to win the
audible millions. Who is that other! Not
9Mrs- Penroy, no, no; but that greasy me-
Snanlc. Wentword and this young LOUIS
'lnga IS in league with him. 1t is plain
uenough, now. The boorish mechanic has
more wit than gave him credit for. This
aote was written to brighten me and leave
every thing to him. 1t won't work. Twill
SNa"t De frightened from the track. have
~ e too far for that-too many lives lie
! under my feet"
Ihen the Captain thought of the mention
oI the forged will in the note he had just
received.
can only account for that on the sup
position that it was done out of mere bra
vado. No one saw the forgery Wentword
at the bottom Of the theft, and I'll turn