The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-05-07

what he could do, situated as he was,
excepting to trust to his counsel, espe-
cially as everybody Of whom he inquired
assured him that Mr.. PlAyfair waS the
leading lawyer Of the place (which was
not true), and that he had never proven
derelict in the performance Of his pro-
fessionAl duties, which was true enough
In sense.
To do Mr.. Playfair entire justice IL
must be said that he had . conscience,
though 1t was subject to legal rules Of
practice and to the decisions Of tie courts.
He therefore easily persuaded himself
that he was doing his full duty by Fan
ming. And this he did the more easily
because he felt convinced that his client
was really John Corldns.
On reaching New York he went first
10 Mr.. James Friend, finding him to be
. reserved. dignifed looking man Of
middle age, who carried on according
to the sign on the door of his Wall street
odice) the business Of Q banker and
broker"
Mr.. Friend listened quietly while Mr..
Playfair explained his erTand, aad he
read the letter which Tanning had writ
ten without the Slightest change Of eoun-
tenance Mr.. Friend was an excellent
poker player. While he read and listened
be was buily anAlyEing difRcult situA-
ton and dallying with . tremendous
temptation. BE had speculated heavily
Of late and had lost heavily. Fanning's
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. II Tanning could be
gotten out of the way for = few years all
might be well. II, 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 . mest bud-
ness like manner This Il . most sur
prising thing, Mr.. Playfair. Dr.. Fam
ming certainly left New York about the
time this burglary you mention was
committed, but he went to Europe. I
do not know his exact address Just at
this moment, hut Il IL 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-
tons 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 impostor."
"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 II d not . close resem-
blAnce, and II you win notice there are
two errors in spelling in IT. Now Dr..
Tanning Is q highly educated man"
ayes, noticed that. said the lawyer,
pluming himself On his own astuteness,
and 90 this tribe 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 10 New
York on such an errand a. thisT thought
PlayfAir as he left Wan street. he sAw
no more Of Friend, and did not fogamO-
ment suspect that that reputable looking
man drank much more brandy than was
good for him that afternoon.
"Iwill gOto DR.. SandringhAm, though"
Said Playfair TO himself. "COrkinS pays,
and I'll do what agreed to Besides, IL
d inteFestinR."
lCOntinued nezt week.