Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-06-04
WHEN THIEVES FALL OUT"


Horace Bland. the land agent, was a
shrewd man, and possessed many Of
those qualities which characterize the
successful business man. He was prompt
and exact in all his business relations,
and. if popular repute was correct, he
was strictly honest; yet those who had
dealings with him in business way had
observed that he had faculty of keep
ing number one" in view.
Now. it happened that among other
things that had been left in charge Of
the worthy land agent by the late James
Mansfield was large box filled with
books. pictures and other articles, This
box had been brought from the hotel to
the home of Mr.. Bland several months
before, when Mr. Mansfield had left for
Baxter Springs. 1t had happened in un-
loading the box that it fell TO the ground
and was broken open. letting out part of
its contents. Among the articles that
fell from the box was a large photograph
album, which in falling had broken the
clasp. So it happened that the album
had been left out of the box, and placed
on a table in Mr. BANDS room, and
there it remained till the arrival of the
claimant to the Mansfield estate.
After Mr.. Bland had made the &C
quaintance of the false Mrs. Riggsby
and had negotiated for the sale of the
property, he was about to replace the
album in the box with the purpose of
having it sent to the hotel, when, hap
pening to glance at it, he made a discov-
cry that puzzled and mystitied him a
great deal. What had attracted his at
tention was photograph of woman
beneath which was written, sally A
Riggsby." Now this picture did not
bear the slightest resemblance to the
woman who had laid claim to the Mans
field estate, and it was this fact that set
the mind of Horace Bland to running in
very strange groove. The more he re-
fiected over the matter the more con-
vinced he became that there was 'some-
thing rotten in Denmark" and he was
resolved to investigate the situation Of
affairs before proceeding further with
the business.
Mr.. Horace Bland. "Real Estate and
Land Agent, was not only exact and
cautious in his business relations with
others, but was largely endowed with
the faculty of getting hold of the long
end of the pole, so to speak when it
came to close bargain. He also pos
sessed an odd phase of character which
permitted him to suspect the most scru-
pulous people of unfair dealing should
there be the slightest chance of such sus-
picion.
When Mortimer Dill appeared at the
Office Of Horace Bland in answer to the
latter's summons, he little dreamed of
the surprise that awaited him.
80 you have succeeded in finding a
purchaser for the estate, have your OBJ
served Dill. rubbing his hands together,
while IA CLEAN of joy Illuminated his
countenance.
YES" answered Bland. "and the
parties have agreed to come to my Office
at seven o'clock this evening to have the
necessary papers signed. | suppose
Mrs. Riggsby will be here ready to sign
the papers at the appointed timer
'NeTlHlulJ ~-CtIldiulg ltapouutu I'LL
Il have brought the business to close
as quickly as possible, at your request, -"
went on Bland, "and hope my methods
have met with your approval.
Dill nodded his head.
"And | was just thinking" Bland
continued, THAT the dispatch with
which | have conducted the sale should
entitle me to larger fee than was at
first agreed upon"
THAT of course would rest with Mrs.
Riggsby," said Dill in some surprise. Il
would have no right to act in the matter
without first obtaining her consent to do
so."
81 don't think she will refuse my re-
quest" said Bland. I'm fact am quite
sure she will give me any fee ask for" I"
81 think you are little overconfdent
in your suppositions," observed Dill in a
naughty tone "You seem TO forget