The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-01-25

natural one 20 think OF first. Let me
just put the case before you as Il looks
10 an outsider-not 10 me. mind you,
but 20 an impartial stranger; to a judge
or jury. for instance"
Dick looked nervous and sulky. but
said nothing. and Mr.. Wickerby went
on in a clear, precise tone. marking OF
the points on the fingers Of his left hand
as he proceeded:
AN English officer" he began.
makes friends with a Frenchman-a
strong Bonapartist-and falls in love
with a relative Of this gentleman. much
attached 10 the same cause. He goes
often to their house. and is frequently
seen in their society.
ION Saturday. March a. 1871, he
leaves home at 1880 in the morning. I'm
mediately afterward letter from his
| lmperialist friend arrives. referring 20
/ previous conversations and asking him
10 join in a reasonable plot. A refusal
Is 10 be easily implied by mere silence,
| but the consent. which is plainly ex-
| pected. is 10 be evidenced by attendance
at IL o'clock at a certain place for the
purpose Of meeting two fellow-conspira-
tors.
by II O'Clock this letter has been
opened and read. No one has entered
the house since our friend left IL. unles.
indeed. he returned himself The maid
who received the note with seal intact,
is positive on this point; and to save
herself would probably. under pres
sure. swear that she heard him come in
again.
AT II o'clock he is at the place named
for quite a different purpose, he says.
but admittedly at the invitation OF these
same Bonapartists. The other conspi-
rators are there too. and cordial in
PRODUCTION takes place. His conduct
does not appear 10 have aroused any
doubt In their minds as 10 his accept
ance Of their overtures.
Confronted with this array OF facts.
our friend proposes 10 put himself right
by explaining matters 10 the Bonapart-
lists and even 10 commit the imprudence
OF expressing his regrets on paper.
Litera scripta manet. My dear Est
court, no prudent man ever writes let
ter when he can avoid IT, Your disap-
pointed friends would have you in a
trap here. You'd much better run away
quietly, and take holiday somewhere.
without leaving your address. When
they've come TO grief and got hanged
for their pains"
What the devil do you mean?"
shouted Dick, in evaporation.
Then you can come back in safety"
continued Mr. Wickerby. But If you
write. they'll have undeniable evidence
that you received their proposal, and
you'll have to choose between keeping
the secret-which is felony known by
the unpleasant name of 'misprison of
treason'-and giving them up to justice,
which, I take it, you are even less like
ly TO prefer"
His ironical tone and incontrovertible
logic Infatuated Dick.
"Damnation!' he roared; "why can't
you let me go my own way? l know
my friends better than you do, should
hope"
II hope so. too" replied the lawyer.
offended in his turn. Il will leave you
TO your own way, as you desire, and
hope to hear no more of this business.
beg you to notice that l do not know
where your friends live; did not even
catch their names; and l understand
that the whole affair is practical joke.
l wish you may live long to laugh at it."
He took up his hat and bag and left
the room. Dick heard the front door
bang heavily behind him, then made a
quick gesture of defiance. and sat down
at his desk to write to Colonel de Mon
taut.