The Hope pioneer., 1897-07-22
door. sharnless en+erel hv ono,ho, ..l

ooor, onaTpleSS entered by another and
sat down in the chair lately occupied
by the last visitor.
"Shut off that hungry crowd for
few minutes, Fench, and I'll go over
these papers with you," he said.
Fench touched the electric button on
his desk, and when the clerk answered
the bell he gave the order to admit no
one till further notice. "Now, then, I'm
ready for you.'
"Well, about this Woodenware COM
pany; they're all right. They'll bring
their own operatives, and they agree to
build tenements on the block next to
their factory, selling them to their men
on the installment plan. The sawmill
people you know about. They'll take
Town company's stock and pay for it
half cash and half lumber. This fire.
brick fellow wants to know if we own
the furnace and rolling mill plants; and
if We'll agree to give him monopoly
on the brick needed by US. I told him
we would, if he would take Block 5 at
our figures, paying half cash; brick to
be taken on same basis and to be
furnished when ordered"
"That's a good, careful provision"
Fench broke in. especially as the NOR
tar isn't dry on the first set of Innings
yet. Go on"
Then here's Edgeley, the cutlery
man. I've been having the devils own
time with him. He sent a man down
here to look over the situation, and I've
hoI =
he made me go to the courthouse and
overhaul the records. Then he wanted
to see the deeds. tried to switch him off
of the Gates tract to location farther
down the river, but he wouldn't have
that. wouldn't fool with him minute
if wasn't sure that Edgeley has plenty
Of money"
Wanted to see the deeds, did he?"
said Fench, thoughtfully. ID you
know, Sharpless, I've been sorry dozen
times you burned that deed. 1t would
have been as good as any to show; and
I've wanted it 20 times if have once"
But you've got Gates deed to u.s."
II thought had, but haven't"
"What have you done with it?'
Il don't think I've ever had it. The
last remember OF it was that night
when you put it in your pocket and said
you'd have it recorded with the other"
Look in your safe,'' said Sharpless,
"and III 60 through my papers,
He was back in ten minutes without
tine missing document. did you find
it?' he asked.
"No."
Then it's gone
well, it don't matter much, except
as I say, they'd be handy to show.
They're both recorded
"Yes, they're recorded all right, but"
-Sharpless paused and knitted his
brows at the small bisque figure hold
ing the matches on Fench's desk.
"But what?'
"Have you heard the talk about XIII
glow?"
"Who, the dead man? No; whs*
about him?"
"They say he isn't dead-that he's
been seen on the mountain; comes and
perches himself up on that crag they
call Eagle Cliff to watch the improve
ments vera making on his farm"
1.-The devil you say:" Mr.. Fench came
out of his chair with jerk and began
to walk the floor servously. The cooler
headed lawyer Emiled and waited.
Fench tramped himself into perspi-u-
ton, and then sat down again with q
groan.
Were done up. Sharpless-done up
slick and clean. That man can send us
both over the road whenever he gets
good and ready
The attorney seemed to be enjoying
the discontinue of the manager. The
incident threw . sidelight on Fench's
character that was instructive; it ex-
posed the shoddy warp that was usually
hidden under the woof of impudence.
Sharpless knew then that if there were
any fighting to be done he wouN have
to do it himself, and there was 4 con-
temptuous emphasis in his reply
That's as you like. He'll fight for
what he gets, can tell you tha; only
wish we had that deed"
Fench swore quavering oath which
was, nevertheless, broad enough to
cover the whole transaction and every
one connected with it. II don't see how
that could make any difference. I tell
you, we're done up, Sharpless.
1T will make just this difference--if
we had that deed with Gates signature
we mightstand some chance of pleading
as innocent purchasers. and Gates would
make first-class scapegoat. AS it is,
there are some people who might be
mean enough to hint that we made our
title ont of whole cloth. However.
that's all beside the mark. This old
fellow must be at least G5 or 70; hes
an outlaw, and he's only one ignorant
man against the whole syndicate. If
we can't hold our own we deserve tc 60
TO the wall"
"What are you going to do about it?"
If I can; get somebody to give him
hint that Uncle Sans men would like
to interview him."
"Who knows him?"
"Plenty of people among the natives,
but think he can be reached quickest
through the old Scotchman up on the
Little Chiwassee-what's his name?
Duncan-Jamie Duncan
Sharpless rose to go back to his own
room, and Fench called to him as I've
reached the door:
"Say, Sharpless, you know I never
would have touched this damned thing
with ten-foot pole if you hadn't made
me believe the man was dead. Now
you've got to stand by me; are you sure
you burned that-that deed we made?
sure you didn't make mistake and
burn the wrong one?"
The LAWYER nlanced hack at his ahiecf