Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17


had gradually gone on to full oonvio-
ton, and had discounted his triumph.
Now everything was astray. He had
never failed so before; he had never be-
fore been enticed so far upon false
scent.
He began to fear he was losing his
cunning.
If the story were to become known,
how they would laugh at him at police
headquarters; what gleeful stories of his
defeat would his competitors have to
tell; he would be compelled to leave
town because of their jokes and laugh
ter; his prestige would be ,ne in the
office of The Sol; he was now conscious,
with feeling of self contempt, that he
had of late been assuming airs of supe-
riority among his fellows.
Then he consoled himself with the
thought that after all no one else had
made the progress in the affair that Hol-
brook and himself had made. Then he
rccollected, with another wave of self
contempt, that when he thought triumph
was theirs he had attributed all to his
own efforts and shrewdness, and now in
brook into partnership. After all, say
what might be said, the affair was deep,
intricate and mysterious, back of which
lay mass of facts which must be ascer-
tanned, arranged and digested.
Finally he said. with an inspiration of
hope
"All is not lost yet, and my commits
sion has not been recalled"
BY that time he had reached the City
Hall park, with a view of hunting up
the Shadow and relieving him from duty
for time at least, or until he was want
ed again.
As he passed the city hall he saw the
old attorney, George Parker, descend
ing the steps.
"Thcres the Shadows friend" he
commented. That old fellow is slosh-
ing around with a claim against Pier
sons estate, not knowing against what
momentous affairs he may be knocking.
If there is anything crooked in his pro-
ceedings on behalf of that driveling old
drunkard in Varick street, how he will
take to cover when we light the fuse-if
we ever do
Tom chuckled; presently an idea struck
him.
I'll give him an interview. Perhaps
I'll elicit something"
AS the old man was about to pass,
Tom checked him.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Parker. I've
heard that notice of claim to Persons
estate on behalf of James Preston has
been made before the surrogate. What
is there in it,
The old man looked at him sharply
and not with a pleasant expression.
"Who are you?'
BRYAN. of The Sol"
cob, "A reporter, hey" replied the old
man, with a grin and an expression of
relief You reporters are very sharp.
The notice was only filed within the
hour"
'Oh, yes, we lay pretty close for the
news. But what is there in it,?
We'll, think there is good deal in
it, or the notice wouldn't have been
filed. A lawyer would naturally say
that after he had taken upa clients case,
wouldn't he? However, the matter is
not in such form yet that can talk about
it, especially without conference with
the counsel who bears the leading part.
l can say this that the notice was fled
merely as a precautionary step. l don't
care to say anything about it or have
anything said now. If you will promise
to say nothing now, when the matter
comes upl'N give you the inside of it eX-
clusively. That's what you young men
want-a beat-isn't it,
eyes. that's what we are always look
ing for,' replied Tom. I'm keep my
promise, if you will l know there will
be great story. The old ma Pierson
lived double life"
"What do you know about it," in.
Quired the old man fiercely.
'Not very much, to be sure. l know
he used to pass under another name at
one time"
you do? What namey
Fountain" Coolly replied Tom. This
was reckless and audacious assump.
ton upon the part of Tom. He knew
nothing of the kind.
fountain, did you say?" queried the
old man, knitting mis- brows, deeply in,
terested. when, and how long ago."
"Oh. that is 'y secret"
What else do you know about Pier
SON.
That's about all. learned it by ac-
cideHt. know why he assumed tit
was because he wanted to marry a wo
man under that name"
The face of the old man took or
al expression OF serious alarm. Tom
watched him narrowly.
Nh, had he any children" asked the
old man.
"Nes, think So y son and daugh
ter"
~ daughter" repeated the old man
and now lie seemed puzzled. 81 think
Mr.. Bryan, you have information of
great value to us-more value than you
know. Cannot we go to some quiet
place where we can exchange conf
denccs; | should not be surprised il
your information We're worth paying fol
handsomely"
Tom felt that he was getting into shall
low water for bn ho a bao,, a