The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-04-30

"Aye."
"That adds little to the suspicious
look of the thing; but, then, it's free
country; | suppose a man may go OF
stay. as he pleases."
Thorndyke locked his fingers behind
his head and sat back with half-closed
eyes while he went over the facts again,
weighing each point in turn. Duncan
misunderstood his silence and grew un-
easy.
I'm thinlxin' yell be countin' the cost
O. the leetigation, Mr.. Thorndyke; I'm
no that weel able"
snake yourself easy on that point,
Mr.. Duncan" interrupted Philip; 81
wasn't thinking of demanding re-
tainer. Wen try to make the other side
do the paying when the time comes. In
the meanwhile, if 1 take hold of the
case it'll be merely out of friendship
TO you and because l need something to
do. What I was thinking of just now
was the chance of our being able to
prove collision between the town COM
pany and Gates. If we can't do that we
may have our labor for our pains"
"Ay ?"
Eyes. Gates is we'll out of the coun-
try. and, anyway, suppose he has moth
ing. No, we've got to recover from the
town company, and in order to do that
we must be prepared to prove that its
agent knew of the fraud when he
bought the land. Then it would be a
plain case in equity and no chancellor
would hesitate about issuing a writ of
possession"
would Keelgrow hae to show him
sell in court?"
Not necessarily. The evidence in
chancery cases is taken by deposition.
and there is no formal trial as in COM
mon law procedures; the chancellor eX-
amines the evidence and hands down a
decree in accordance with the facts"
That's ane thing in our favor, then;
Keelgrow is that fearsome O courts an
constables that I'm thinkin' we'd hae
muckle trouble persuadin' him to tes-
tify."
Thorndyke laughed. 81 suppose he
hasn't got over the apple brandy scare.
That'll never be revived, and if it were
we could easily clear him."
Duncan shook his head doubtfully.
- Wilma be so sure O that. It's na mair
than month sim 1 got word that the
revenue men were speerin' round after
aud Johnnie again."
Thorrdybe came out OF his nonchal-
ance with a bound.
You did! Who told you that?'
II had bit writing frae some mer
cifu' body in the town."
"Alr. Duncan, that's the most i'm
portant thing you've told me yet! Find
me that letter, if you can"
Philip walked the floor eXcitedly un-
til Duncan came back with the missive
in question. 1t was written in type
writing On a blank letterhead, and it
was dated at Allacoochee.
Dear Sir: 1t is known that you are
friendly toward an old mountaineer named
kilgrow who is wanted by the United
States officers for a breach CT the revenue
laws. 1t is rumored here that the officers
have information of his whereabouts, and
that if found he will be arrested ard
brought to trial. 1t would seem, to one who
knows the circumstances, to be merely an
act of common humanity to warn the old
man. A FRIEND"
What do yc make out O that, Mr..
Thorndyke?" asked Duncan, after
Philip had read and examined the let
ter.
Just what l expected when you men
toned it. There's only one man or one
set of men who could he benefited by
getting Kilgrow out of the way. When
we trace this letter to its source We'll
find that either Sharpless or Fench die
tated it. It's the most important bit of
evidence I've had, so far, because if I'm
right it proves that Sharpless and Fench
are not innocent. The next thing in
order IS for me to have talk with Kill
grow; you'll have to see him and smooth
the way for me-"
Duncan promised and bade his guest
good-night; after which Thorndylic
went to bed to dream of endless law
suits and interminable weddings, in
which Helen and Kilgrow, James Dun
can and Elsie, were confounded in hope
less confusion. And for grotesque
back ground, the scenes of his dreams
had for stage setting the new city Of
Macoochec, rising and spreading like
another flood until the waves of build
ings surged up the valley and over the
mountain to tumble in cascade of
bricks and mortar into the quiet depths
oi the Devils Pocket.