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

CROSS-EXAMINATION

AS q result of ElSie's promise to tel
her father, James Duncan tapped at the
door of his guests room that night just
as Thorndyke had begun letter to his
mother.
Come in," said Philip, pushing aside
his writing materials.
Duncan entered, and, after beating
cautiously about among Indifferent
topics for few moments, came wariiy
to the object of his visit.
"EIsie's been teliin' me ye're bit OF
lawyer. Mr.. Thorndyke." he said. by
way of beginning.
Yes, have read law in the schools
moo. that's varra singular" re,
marked Duncan, thoughtfully, much as
if Philip had asserted that he was a
high caste Brahmin-"verra singular;
but then. it may be no so inopport une
after a. Would ye min te1Iin' me, moo
what for We cam to study the law?"
Chiefly because my father wished it
1t was his profession"
"Ow, aye" said Duncan, rubbing his
chin and relapsing into u silcEce which
seemed to indicate that he had come to
lie crd Of his Introductory resources
Philip thought to help him along by
tsking if there were need for legal adj
ice in the affairs of the family.
ma, ma, it's no just that; but there's,
IS one may say. frien' O the family
vha wouldna be the waur for Il wee bit
} that same. I'm thinkin' Elsic's been
.layerin' aboot it when ye was over
on"
She told me about the troubles of
our old friend Kilgrow, and | offered
help him if could Was that what
'ou meant?'
Aye" said Duncan, and, as he showed
10 disposition to be more explicit.
'hlip continues:
"If am to act as attorney for your
rend. it is needful that should know
III the facts, Are You prepared to give
hemp"
duncan was evidently making con
rientious effort toward frankness, but
With such meager results that Thorn
lyke was finally compelled to exact tie
lesired information piecemeal, as from
IN unwilling witness. After getting t he
outline of Elsies story verified, he pro-
'eeded to particulars.
"uow long had Kilgrow owned the
Iand when he took Gates as Il tenant?''
I'm no verra clear upo' that point,
but it's q matter O. 90 year or more, as
ken myself"
WAS his title clear?
IL think there's ma doubt aboot that"
"What's the name of this county?
"Chilmath."
"And Allacoochee is the county seat?'
"Aye."
"Does this farm of Kilgrow's lie who'll
iy within the limits of the new town"
81 Gamma say as to the preceese leem-
Its; I'm thinllin' it'll talk in aboot hall
the town."
~ suppose no one knows anything
about the exact nature of the transac-
tion between the town company and
Cates?"
"Naething mair than that Gates got
q thousand dollars on the nail"
WAS that fair price for the land at
the timer"
INA, it wasna mair than half price
Thorndyke made a note of this
"That's our starting point. You knew
Gates: what kind of man was he?
Would he be likely to sell anything at
half price of his own accord?"
"Na, that he wouldna; he was Il canry
chicl, an over fond o the main chance. u
Then there was probably some pres
sure brought to bear upon him. Now
what 90 you know about tie town com.
pany people? Who made the deal with
Cates?"
"A lawyer by the name of Sharpless,
an the agent, Master Jenkins Fench."
"Oho!" said Philip, recalling his mar
tyrdom on the train. "That fellow was
in it, was he? He's n rascal, if ever there
was one out of Jail. If his face doesn't
belle him he's equal to anything in the
way of fraud. How about his part
ner?"
''The lawyer? I'm thinkin' he's deal
wnur than tother."
"It isn't very likely that they bought
the land without knowing all about the
flaw in the title, unless there's beer
more crookedness than we know about
Is Kilgrow sure that he never signed
any papers for Gates or anyone else?"
Hes vera willin' to tax his oatl
upo' that; an it's the mair unlikely
sin he Gamma read or write"
"And you say Gates got his money
and then disappeared?"