The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-04-11
A QUEER LIBEL CASE.


.Now let rs go one step at a time, y
said the solicitor "Yoa want to pro
coed against Mr.. Svendeleri for libel /
UNDERESTIMATE
"Yes, | do, and I'm sure | shall get
heavy damages answered Mr. Hedge.
hog. Ellis libels are of the grossest-'
Just wait now" put in the solicitor
"These,' and he held up number oil
post cards and letters, ARE the libels
you complain Off"
Yes, they are, and | think nobody
will deny
'.Never mind, now. just answer my
questions as shortly as you can. Are
there any others?"
Not as far as I know
81 see they are all addressed to you
Well. those sent to you In closed en-
yelopes are not libels at all, so we
needn't trouble about them"
How's that?" asked Mr.. Hedgehog.
"You see, there is no publication-no-
body saw them but yourself or those to
whom you showed them. With the post
cards it is different. The law presumes,
you see, that the postman reads all the
post cards that go through his hands.
and SO there is publication to third
party. Well, let us look at the post
cards"
They're not half as bad as the let
ters," muttered Mr.. Hedgehog, discon-
tcntedly.
THAT can't be helped" replied the
solicitor. "This one runs: Who stole
the Roughshod jewels2 1t was Emery
'Edgehog, was IL? OF course NOT. He's
no thief; he's only private detective
Well, that's strong enough, ! think.
The others, see, are much the smne'
"Yes, much the same"
sand they're all anonymous?"
"Yes-all."
"But you're sure you can prove the
writing is Svendeleri's?"
I'm sure can--in fact, I know he
won't deny it."
How do you know that?' asked the
solicitor, sharply.
We'll, the fact is" said Hedgehog.
hesitating slightly, "he daren't. Atany
rate, I'm sure he won't"
The solicitor was silent for a moment,
during which he scrutinized Hedgehog
keenly.
"Mr. Syendeleri Is not very rep
utable person." he then said, "but he
hasn't usually been reckoned a fool, and
why, not being a fool, he should write
such silly post cards passesmy compre-
hension."
lies very furious with me-" an
swered Mr.. Hedgehog. you see, Mr..
Pitt" he went on, in confidential tone,
him and me have had lot of dealings
together, and lately we had row, and
now he's fairly mad, and doesn't cure
what he does to get revenge. That's
the way of them Jews. Once you have
fired writ into him he'll get cooler and
apologize and pay up"
do you know anything about these
3ewels?" asked the solicitor, a trifle sus-
piciously.
Not ms much as he does" answered
MI hedgehog, with sly wink.
What do you mean ?" demanded the
solicitor. Does he know ANYTHING
about them?'
NO, not as far as know" said MIR.
Hedgehog. hastily. II was only iok-
ing"
The solicitor again was silent a mo-
ment, and again he keenly scrutinizcd
the private detective. At last he spoke /:
81 don't altogether like this Job he
said. There seems to be a lot of hanky-
panky about it,"
ut won't give you any trouble" cried
Mr.. Hedgehog. "I'm sure Syendeleri
won't let IL come INTO court. Your chief
work viii he running up your bin of
costs, and you know Svendeleri's good
for thousands
Mr.. Pitt reflected for a moment.
well, III issue it." he said, "and In.
siruct counsel to settle a statement OF
claim"
Three weeks later Mr.. Hedgehog. in
response to a note from Messrs. Pitt q
I'oX. attended their Office in Bedford
row. Mr.. Pitt again saw him. After
the usual greeting, MIR. Pitt informed
him that he had received the defense in
the action.