Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-06-27
because he felt convinced that his client
Z 1 L

to MIR. james FRIEND, hnQlng MIN TO Dc
a reserved, dignified looking man of
middle age, who carried on according
to the sign on the door of his Wall street
office) the business of banker and
broker"
Mr.. Friend listened quietly while Mr.
Playfair explained Hrs errand, and he
read the letter which Tanning had writ
ten without the slightest change of coun-
tenance. Mr.. Friend was an excellent
poker player. While he read and listened
he was busily analyzing a difficult situa-
ton and dallying with tremendous
temptation, He had speculated heavily
| Of late and had lost heavily. Fannings
property was in his hands, and because
of Fanning's trust in him and great care
lessness about money matters it was not
properly secured. If Tanning could be
gotten out of the way for u few years all
might be well. If, on the other hand,
Tanning should call for any very con-
siderable amount at once it might mean
disaster and even complete ruin.
He reasoned it all out rapidly before
speaking. Then he said in a most busi-
ness like manner: "This is most sur
prising thing, Mr.. Playfair. DR.. Fan
ming certainly left New York about the
time this burglary you mention was
committed. but he went to Europe.
do not know his exact address just at
this moment, but it is impossible that he
should be in Illinois now"
Even while he was speaking Mr..
Friend realized that he was taking q
long risk, and he trembled inwardly lest
Playfair should press him with ques.
tions. The lawyer, however, only saw
confirmation of his own theory and was
not disposed to be critical.
But the letter." he said. "You Ger.
tainly know whether that was written
by Tanning or by an impostcr."
"The letter." said Friend, twas GER
tainly written by some one who knows
something about Fanning's business
and it even has q resemblance to his
handwriting, but it is not close resem
blance, and if you will notice there are
two errors in spelling in it. Now DR.
Tanning is highly educated man."
Eyes, noticed that" said the lawyer
pluming himself on his own astuteness
and SO this trife helped to lock the pris
on doors ON an innocent man.
Now what on earth can that Cor
kins be thinking of to send me to New
York on such an errand as thisY' though
Playfair as he left Wah street. He saw
no more of Friend, and did not for a mo
ment suspect that that reputable looking
man drank much more brandy than wa
good for him that afternoon.
twill go to DR.. Sandringham, though,
said Playfair to himself "Corkins pays
and I'll do what agreed to. Besides, j
is interesting"
DIR. Sandringham was an extremel,
busy man, but very conscientious. Yes
He knew Tanning, but had not seen hin
very lately. A most promising younl
man, who stood well in the profession
What! In prison in Illinois? Impossible
Oh! man there who claimed to be Fan
ming. Well, that could be easily settled
Fannings Office was right around tn
corner. Most remarkable thingl
And the doctor called his secretary
and asked him if he would go to Fan
ning's Office and ask that gentleman t.
step around at once on important busi
ness 1t was done. and the secretar,
presently returned saying that DR.. Fan
ming had "sailed for Europe about
month ago"
What the servant at the door had sait
to the secretary was. Sure. he left her
month gone, an behave he wint t
Yarrup." The secretary's unintentiona
lie, however, tailed with Friends fiend
ish one, and together they seemed to b
proof absolute.
DR.. Sandringham hesitate1. He wa
bewildered, and had Playfair produces
Fannings photograph he would certainl
have investigated further, but he wa
expected at two deathbeds, and whel
the lawyer gave up the case, as he did ol
the moment. the physician assumed tina
it must be one of attempted imposition
and straightway forgot all about it in tn
multiplicity of his own affairs.
Playfair was also very busy. He di
not write to Tanning because he had n
time to waste on a hopeless case. He did
however. meet his obligations so far a
to return to Bloomington in time to &c
his client get a fair trial" And his client
with a policy mare cautious than wise
refrained from upbraiding him lest b
should be angered and so slight the case
The result of this was that Playfair wa
confirmed in his opinion of Tanning
guilt and more puzzled than ever to &C
count for his clumsy attempt to prov
himself somebody else.
As for Tanning, the announcement b.
his lawyer ou the very eve Of the tria
that he, the real Tanning, was in Europ
was SO stupefying that he could not de
eide what to do. The whole affair scenes
so monstrously impossible that he actu
ally found himself wondering whethe
he might not bo insane. Then he checke'
, himself, remembering that insanity oftel
! begins that way. The only thing to dc
, so far as he could see at the moment
was to 90 into court and tell his stor.
clearly and calmly and rely on his law
yer. 1t was preposterous to suppose tina
I he coald be convicted.
He had N fair trial. fair that is. in tn