Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-09-21
CHAPTER VII.

The probability that had rival in
the field, and one who had free road
while was handicapped by the suspi-
cion of a crime, filled me with despera-
ticn.
Had only followed my first i'm
pulse, and not allowed whole year to
intervene without making an attempt
to clear myself! If you want anything
of consequence done, do it yourself,
was a maxim 1 had always believed in,
and as far as possible followed out.
But in this one most important in
stance, where the circumstances affect
ed my whole life and promised to annul
ell possibility of future happiness, 1
had held aloof with supineness for
which / could not now condemn myself
strongly enough.
knew the bank officials had used
every effort to recover their property.
| knew the shrewdest detectives had
been put on the case. Notwithstanding
this, nothing had been discovered.
How could I, then, hope to succeed!
Where could begin? There was not
the least sign of clew to work on.
I soon drove into Twineburgh, and
had no trouble in locating Mr.. Sonn-
tags Office.
An understood old fellow with brist-
ling gray hair was seated at desk,
his back toward the door. He took
no notice of me, and, after standing
for few minutes gazing at the back
of his head, I made known my presence.
81 wish to speak to Mr.. Sonntag,"
said.
Take chair; be at leisure in a
moment" came the answer, in quick,
jerky tones. He did not even turn his
head, but went on with his work.
| I sat down and looked around. 1t
was a typical small-town lawyers Of
flee was in. There were few law
books in small, rickety bookcase on
one side of the room, few rough
wooden chairs, warranted to cause a
backache only to look at them, few
old maps and calendars, most of the
latter of former years, hanging on the
walls, wooden spittoon filled with
sawdust on the floor, u rusty stove,
from which the discolorations of the
fires of the last winter had not been
removed, standing in one corner, and
lastly, the desk before which was seat.
ed my agent and lawyer.
thought the old fellow, judging
from his back, was in complete har.
mony with his surroundings; but
soon found had misjudged the man
For when he finally arose, turned to-
ward me and favored Inc with search
ing glance from pair of the keenes1
steel-blue eyes l had ever seen, it was
Very evident Mr.. Sonntag was not as
rusty as his surroundings.
There was something familiar to me
about him. Had l met him before.
could not remember.
Arising, was about to make myself
known, but before could utter wore
he stepped briskly up to me and will
smile extended his hand.
II am glad to see you," he began
"Of course you are my client, Mr.. Mel
son Conway?"
''Yes, that is my name" answered
somewhat surprised. But, as you hav
probably never seen me before, al
|
[ should like to ask how you knew"
Nothing remarkable about it at all
You wrote me from Paris, you remem
Der, stating the probable time of you
arrival home. And, although l hav
been here only six months, l have go
to know, by sight at least, every on
about this place. Therefore l kney
you were stranger, that Mr.. Conwa,
was about due. and-well, there yo,
have it. Have you just arrived?"
81 came yesterday noon.'
Indeed. And where are you stop
ping?"
"Over at the old house, of course
Where else should have gone?'
"Oh, supposed you would have pu
up at the hotel here in Twineburgl
until we could get things in littl
better shape for you at the homestead
How did you find things?"
considering that the house has bee
vacant SO many years, l was very agree
ably surprised to note the good stat
of repair it is in,' l replied.
II have tried to follow out the plan
of my predecessor as far as possible
You think you will enjoy yourself i
Nelsonville?" he asked, flashing an in
curing glance at me.
ooh, yes. hope to have absolut
rest and peace, at any rate" replied
somewhat hesitatingly, for my sojour
ct the old house had certainly not be
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