Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1897-09-01
XIV.
DRAWING THE SWORN

'N-NN i4NNf HE SWORD.
When the first burst of exultant ex
citment had spent itself, Thorndvke sat
down upon fat-topped stone and
mapped out plan of attack. He would
hcgin on Pragmorc. terrifying the old
hortary into submission and confession
10y sight of the forgery which he hat
made possible. Then he would nusb
fench and Sharpless to the wall bv in
shutting proceedings against them in
both the civil and the criminal courts
lie would apply for an Injunction re
strhlning them from disposing OF any
OF the property in dispute He would
STOP the wheels Of business and seal un
the fountain of Allacoochee's prospcri-
~ until kilgrow's rights were recog-
ni|cd. lie would show these unscrupu-
lous robbers that though Justice might
he blind, she never sleeps.
This was the outline of the temerori
Gus plan which iugeniousiy combined
All the elements of defeat and failure.
The lmpetuous zeal which had carried
Ihorndyke triumphantly over the dis
engagements of the long search for
evidence became at once ~ source OF
weakness and "A tumbling-block i'm tho
way of final success; and he was never
less match for the crafty and CON
>cienceless corporation attorney than
at the moment when lac believed that
victory was 10 he had for the taking.
Not 10 give sober second thought a
chdnce 10 counsel better thinpsp H..
pocketed the forged deed and went
straight 10 the dingy little Office next
door TO Catron's store. The old notary
was sitting at his desk, and the lines of
reicencc in his sallow face dcepeucd
INTO wrinkles when he looked up and
saw WHO had opened the door. Thorn
dyIe wasted no time ia Introductory
phrases.
Two or three months ago. Mr.. Prap
more. asked YOU some questions about
deed purporting TO have been given by
Iohn kilgrow 10 James Gates. Tho
record shows that you attestcd it, but
YOU denied any recollection Of the cir
"umstances. Will you tell me now that
YOU did not antedate your certificate siv
years or more? that you did not ac-
knowle ledge the signature Of man
whom YOU believed TO be dead?"
Pragmore stiffened himself i'm his
chair and made no sign. though he had
10 moisten his thin lips TO say: you
caNnt prove anything"
The sulleu defiance overdrcw what
ever amount Of prudence the discovery
~ ihc decd had left Thorndyke. Lean
ing over the desk, lac held the paper ouf
spread before the eyes Of the old man
DO YOU pretend 10 say that this is not
your signature? Will YOU tell me that
YOU lout know Fcuch's handwriting
hen you sec IT,? Did the printers make
% mi~tahe OF five years when they put
their imprint ou This blank %"
The mask OF inscrutabiity slipped
aside for moment. ana PragmOre %
face became gray and furrcd win
terror Then he rclap-ed into suIleu-
ness agoin.Jut there was an angry snarI
Dos his voice when he poke.
"i don't know uothiu' about ia. mr.
Wha'-all ye're amin at. but I'Il tell We
first an last. SO cayut bulldolc me
iirs here's my Office. an since Sc found
the way iu reckon yc can lind the way
out"
Philip started OF in % white heat OF
wrath. Halfway 90 the door he turned I
on Pragmore.
II came down here to give Won one
more chance 90 save Yourself" he said. |
you don't deserve any more consider /
alton than any common criminal. but
you're an old man and you've let these /
fellows make q tool Of you. Once foralI /
VIII youturn states evidence? or shall I /
send The sheriff after you?"