San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-03

luOuSHt 81, 1O0idAhCd Diohu VIM
posedly. Il want five thousand dol
larsr'
Mortimer Dill rose to his feet with an
exclamation of establishment.
3"Why, man, you must have taken
leave of your senses!" he calculated.
"Five thousand dollars! 1t is utterly
,preposterous. You had just as well ask
us to give you the whole estateT
please be seated You are exciting
yourself, remarked Horace Bland with
,exasperating GOODNESS. perhaps you
wouldn't mind telling how much you are
to receive for your services in this case,
being you are so positive that am max
ing unreasonable demands 4tll-
That is my own affair."" observed Dill
abruptly. Enough of this nonsense.
What do you mean by such conduct9'
II have told you once. You must give
me the five thousand"
Then our interview is at an end, :"
said Dill, and he made a movement as if
about to leave the room.
Wait moment" said Bland: II am
not done yet. If you refuse my demands
shall refer the matter to another inter-
,ested party"
"You mean Mrs. Riggsby?"
Yes. "u .a.s.i ,... .s 90. .
Mortimer Dill smiled composedly.
o. 81 see it lis no use to talk to you fur
ther," he said 49,. .,.., -.
Very we'll" Horace Bland opened a
drawer in his desk, as he spoke and took
out small photograph and handed it to
Dill.
A puzzled look crossed the lawyers
face as he glanced at the bit of card;
then an ashy pallor came over his sallow
countenance and the card fell from his
hand.
"Where-where did you get thisg' he
asked.
. A CLEAN of, triumph lit the face of
Horace Bland.
Where do you SUPPOSED" he replied.
Then picking up the photograph that
had fallen from the lawyers hand, be
read aloud the words written. beneath
the picture. MRS. Sally A. Riggsby."
What does this mean?" cried Dill in
an agitated voice. "Will you explain:"
Bland rose to his feet, and pointing
his finger at the lawyer, said dramatic
ally:
+ who is this woman whom you have
brought here to claim the Mansfield es
tate?"
For moment Dill was silent. He
was taken ,unawares, and wanted time
for reflection before he spoke. He was
a shrewd man and knew the value Of
every word he might utter, and all his
instincts as a lawyer were brought into
play. 1t was not his purpose to be
browbeaten by the land agent, and in
that brief interval of silence he formed
daring course of action. 40 t.lst
Allhis accustomed composure returned
to him when he spoke.
Are you fool?" he asked coolly, ''or
are you rehearsing for some amateur
theatrical performance
Bland was thunderstruck with sur
prise at the lawyers cool manner. What
did it mean? Had he really made mis-
take in the whole matter. and could it
be possible that Dill's client was the le-
gal heir?
do you aim to tell me that your eli
ent in this case is the original of this
photograph" asked the land agent,
pointing to the picture which he held in
his hand. al
81 don't aim to express any opinion in
the matter" said Dill. How should
know anything about this picture, OF
where you got it? For aught | know
you might have picked it up somewhere
and written the name beneath it,"
An angry flush mounted BANDS face.
How dare you insinuate such a
thing he cried. You forget you are
talking to gentleman
| You begun by assaulting my inten.
TONS, answered Dill IF you think
the lady who lays claim to the estate !:
an impostor. it looks rather odd that yor
should take advantage of the fact to de
mand five thousand dollars for youl
services instead of having the matter in
vestigated. 1t looks decidedly like .
case of blackmail to me-"
| Bland WINGED under the penetrating
gaze of the lawyer. and he realized tina
he had met with more than his match il
the willy Dill He saw that he had nm
Willingly placed himself in very awk
ward situation. and he inwardly cursed
himself for his stupidity.
""It is not too late to investigate tn,
matter vet" he said. irving to make tn,