Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-09
Or, The Po:il Of the PenroyS.
a Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
81 JAMES II. MERRILL, AUTuoE OF "EoGCS
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES
tcopyri1It, 1889, by the A. II Es:lo71 Teas.
paper Componyl
CHAPTER XIV,

outside will mako every thing plain sailing
again.
Procuring tho lamp Mr. Gripes leaned out
into the night, flashing tho glow up aad
down tho porch that ran tho length of that
side of the house. He saw nothing of the
lost paper, and as there was scarcely q
movement of air, it was not likely that the
document had been cast out by the wind.
1t was but few feet from the window to
the porch, and both men proceeded at once
to search the premises.
No discoveries were made, however, save
that the imprint Of .oot was found in the
garden where the ground was soft and
daSnp.
The track was followed to the sidewalk,
where all trace was lost.
"Somebody is on to your tricks, Captain"
said Mr.. Gripes, after the twain stood once
more in the lawyers room.
A black look came to the face OF the dis
comfited Captain.
"It seems evident that theft has either
been committed, or else -
The ferret eyes of the lawyer were fixed
in a keen gaze on the face of the speaker.
swell, Captsin!"
"Or otherwise you are playing q double
gamer
'Indeedl am gentleman, sir''
!. doubtless"
Il have professional honor at stake,
Captain Starbright. Rather than go con-
trary to my convictions OF right, Sir. would
pluck out my right eye"
An ircredulous smile moved the tawny
mustachc of the Captain.
The lawyer did not seem to be offended,
however. Evidently he understood the man
he was dealing with perfectly. 1t would be
a hard matter to AFRAID the feelings of q
man like Seekmore Gripes, who had been
for more than forty years criminal de-
fender of the most constituencies type.
His class exist and prey on the public in
all large towns, as the reader knows, and
in giving his character an airing no offense
is meant toward that large class of honor
able men who make law their calling in life
There was no Disgusting the fact that the
will was lost Gripes knew that it was
stolen, the Captain could not be sure. In any
event he was puzzled and deeply chagrined
Il do not understand it." finally muttered
Captain Ssarbright. ''Who could wish to
destroy the will!''
''That is not for me to say. You ought to
be posted.''
81 can think of but one who would be ben
Gifted by such villainy," said the Captain.
''Who is thata'
s'llrs. Penroy."
Exactly"
sit can not be that she has had hand in
this. She hasn't the requisite nerve to do
such 4 thing"
"a weak woman, cha" smiled the lawyer.
81 lind them the hardest cases in my expert
encen
"Then you imagine that she, that faded
widow, without life enough to more than ex-
lst, has comprised ten miles of space at
hight, watched your movements with the
keen eyes of a detective, and at an oppor-
tune moment snatched this precious paper
from your tablep'
IL can't say that I do. 1t is for you to
draw differences"
"Do you intend to 60 back on me, Mr..
Gripes7"
'sNot if you show proper shrewdness."
''What would you adviser
''That you find that will at the earliest
possible moment"
"But that may BIO impossible. The one
wS,o would steal the Will would not hest
tate to destroy it."
''True enough"
eff the will is destroyed we lose every
thing"
Undoubtedly"
Mrs. Penrcy being the only direct living
heir. to Morgan Vandible would inherit
every thing. 1 know she hates me and
she would not hesitate to -"
II see, l sce," interrupted Mr.. Gripes.
''But YOU must excuse me from further con-
sideration 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 the
will. 1t may be that she will be open to
compromise. Move cautiously, Captain,
and see her at the earliest moment. It's
bad 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 un the part OF the willy lawyer
did not please Captain Starbright, and ne
secretly resolved on revenge at some future
time.
The Captain promised to call again and
then departed. He had left his horse at
one of the hotel stables. The distance was
nearly half mile. He had proceeded but a
few 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
Captain Starbright felt bit of folded pa
pc n in his palm
Quickly he turned about and called after
the pedestrian. No answer was vouchsafed.
Then the Captain fastened on until the
rays of a street lamp greeted his vision.
Under this he paused, and consulted the
paper so strangely thrust into his possession.
s.CLINToN SrARBRIGHT: The storm you
have invoked will soon burst. i give you
fair warning that you may be on the defen-
sive. Nothing You can now do will save
you from the gallows you have dared to
win the Vandible millions. The old million
aire left will, not the one to which his
name was forged-you are left out in the
cold. A FORMER FRIEND.
The note puzzled and enrased the Captain.
His thoughts reverted at once to the person
who had once before thrust note of warn
ing into his handouts Fingal. Doubtless
his hand was in this although the penman-
ship was not similar.
oBy my soulr' calculated Captain Star
bright, as he continued on his way, "thls |
note inspires me with new hope. can see |
the hound that is working against me. L
am not tho only one who seeks to WIN the
Vand,ble millions Who that other! Not |
Mrs. Penroy; no. no; but that greasy me-
chanic, Wentword, and this young LOUIS
Fingal is in league with him. 1t IS pialn
enough now. The boorish mechanic mas
more wit than gave him credit for ms
note was written to brighten me ana leaye
every thing to him. 1t won't work VIII
not be frightened from the track. nave
gone too far for that-too many lives he
under my feet"
Then the Captain thought Of the mention
of the forged will in the note he had just
81 can only account for that on the sup
position that it was done out OF mere bra