The Hope pioneer., 1897-09-30

providence had given them an oppor,
tunity for which they would have been
willing to pay in the coin OF crime; and
yet, in spite of the warning and of the
removal of their chief opponent, they
were still as far as ever from a haven
OF safety; the forged deed was still in
existence, and bribery and search-par-
ties had alike failed to reveal the hid
ing-place of the old mountaincer. The
threatened danger cast its shadow upon
the two men each after his kind.
Sharpless sat erect, scowling and in
domitable, while Fench covered in his
chair, clasping and unclasping his lean
fingers in the nervelessness of dismay.
Il tell you, Sharpless, it's no use talk
ing-it never was any use talking; it's
time to run. We might have been in
Mexico by this time if you'd had any
sense"
Fench's voice was querulous with
fear, and the last sentence ended in a
snarl, but the recrimination served
only to deepen the frown on the brow
of the lawyer. In the silence that sue
ceeded, they heard curious humping
in the corridor, which was explained
when the door opened to admit an un-
announced visitor. 1t was Thorndyke,
on crutches, and he stopped to close the
door carefully before limping to chair
from which he could see both of the
conspirators. In the twinkling of an
eye the scowl on Sharpless' face melted
into suave smile of welcome, and his
greeting was cheerful and genial.
Good morning, Mr.. Thorndyke.
You're quite u stranger"
Philip ignored the protfcred civility
and went brusquely to the point. II
didn't come here to measure polite
phrases with either of you, as you prob
ably know. am here as the legal rep
resentative of John Kilgrow, upon
whose farm you have taken the liberty
to build city"
The smile of welcome on the lawyers
face disappeared as quickly as it had
come, and the thin figure of the man.
ager seemed to shrink into still
smaller compass.
You'll have to be more explicit, Mr..
Thorndyke," said Sharpless, fitting cas-
lily in his chair.
And I will be, simply to show you
what am prepared to prove. On the
9th of February in the present year
you purchased of James Gates a tract
of land which you had good reason to
suspect was stolen from John Kilgrow.
TO quiet the title, you forged deed
from Kilgrow to Gates and had it re-
corded. For some reason which don't
pretend to understand you omitted to
destroy this deed, and, as you know,
it has lately fallen into my hands. The
facts in the case have been carefully col
lected and verified, and it remains for
you to say whether my client shall be
compelled to seek satisfaction in the
| courts"
The lawyers face frightened at the
implied alternative. "You mean a
COMPROMISED"
Il mean payment in full for what you
have stolen"
dyke"
"Possibly, but it has the merit OF
truth"
Are you prepared to act for your
client in this matter?"
II am his attorney in fact"
what is your proposition?"
Il will execute quit-claim on the
part of my client, and will surrender
the forged deed, upon the payment OF
100000 in cash or in bankable funds
Sharpless sprang to his feet with an
oath, and Fench had almost reached
the door when Philip stopped him
Don't go just yet, Mr. Fcnch; there's
an officer in the corridor, and he has
his instructions"
tT0 RE