San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-12-09

chief never knew that old scamp of
lawyer in anything that was, not mis-
chief"
He climbed to the top of the trunk
and listened.
All he heard for a moment was the
scratching of a pen as it was driven rap
idly over paper.
Finally he heard Parkers voice.
"Now see here, Preston, have care
fully written this story down, and you
must familiarize yourself with it,"
How much is true and how much
false?'
ut doesn't make any difference how
much is true or false; this story" slap
ping the papers) has got to be the true
one. Now, | want you to study over it,
and l will come again and again and
talk with you until you get it pat"
"Well, I'll try it."
"if you would stop drinking and get
the rum out of your sod den old brain
you would get it all rightenough. You
used to be sharp enough, in all conscience
sake"
Am as sharp now as ever was, only
can't recollect as used to- That's be-
cause I'm getting old
Its because you are getting your
skin full Of whisky every day. Now,
see here. You are brother of Charles
Preston"
"Of course l am, or why did he give
me money for fifteen years."
whats the use of our arguing that
point? 1t makes no difference between
us whether it was because you were his
brother. which he denied, or because you
had a secret of his worth paying for.
For all we want, you are.
well, was. tell you.
Never mind: we can establish, by put
ting your papers and my papers together,
that Charles PierSOn was an assumed
name: the reason why he changed it;
that you were MS brother: that he had
no relations other than you, and no de
scendants; and establishing these facts
we can take his property. Now, don't
dare take the first step before the surro-
gate until have seen you have got the
story so straight you won't stumble
when you go on the stand"
"Oh, I'll get it, don't you fear
well, do fear. Then there is the
story of your own life. have written
that, too"
Parker laughed an ugly laugh.
at was a tough job to reconstruct the
twenty years of your life you spent be-
tween four stone walls"
ssuncb cold tho othar old mon sEfor
heavens sake don't talk of that"
well, you served your time out; they
can't take you for it again. 1t was
.ocky path that of your life, old man,
and l have smoothed it very inge-
niously."
Keep quiet" cried the old man, with
an oath, "or I'll kick the whole thing
overheard.
This threat had subduing effect upon
Parker.
well, don't get huffy," he said; "I'll
be quiet. But you must be pat with it
when you're called upon for it. don't
think you will be, for | doubt if there
will be contestant. But the lawyer
whom shall employ may want to know
your story"
"Why don't you do it YOURSELF You
are a lawyer"
''There are certain circumstances con-
nected with my professional career
which make it advisable for me to keep
out Of court. But l can't idle here. I've
got great deal to do today. Here are
some papers l want you to sign
"What are they?'
THE agreements and contracts of
transfer to me of one-half of the proper
ty when you get it"
well, am entitled to the whole"
''Of course you are, you old ass; but
if you don't give me half you won't
have any part of it. Sign, or you won't
get smell of it; and besides, I'll stop
your allowance"
This was a dire threat, and meant
stoppage of liquor, so he signed with
trembling hand:
James Preston.
Nov. wait a moment" said Parker.
He went to the window and beckoned
to a man who stood upon the opposite
side of the street.
In moment more the person entered
the room.
You are a notary public; want you
to verify these signatures.
TWAS a ceremony soon accomplished,
and Parker, placing the papers in his
pocket. went off, after leaving ten dol
lar bill with the old man Preston
The Shadow remained long enough at
his most to hear Preston saw: