The Holly chieftain., 1898-01-07
XIV.
DRAWING THE SWORD


When the first burst of exultant ex,
citment had spent itself, rhorndyke sat
down upon a flat-topped stone and
mapped out plan of attack. He would
begin on Pragmore. terrifying the old
Dortary into submission and confession
by sight Of the forgery which he had
made possible. Then he would push
Fench and Sharpless to the wall by in
stituting proceedings against them in
both the civil and the criminal courts.
He would apply for nn injunction re-
straining them from disposing Of any
of the property in dispute. He would
stop the wheels of business and seal up
the fountain of Allacoochee's prosperi-
ty until Kilgrow's rights were recog-
nized. He would show these unscrupu-
lous robbers that though Justice might
be blind. she never sleeps.
This wns the outline of the temerari-
GUS plan which ingeniously combined
all the elements Of defeat and failure.
The impetuons zeal which had carried
Thorndyke triumphantly over the dis
eourngements of the long search for
evidence became at once source Of
weakness and stumbling-block in the
way of final success: md he WINS never
less match for the crafty and con-
scienceless corporation attorney than
at the moment when he believed that
victory was to be had for the taking.
Not to give sober second thought
chance to counsel better things, he
pocketed the forged deed and went
straight to the dingy little office next
door TO Catron's store. The old notary
WAS sitting ut his desk, and the lines OF
reticencc in his sallow face deepened
into wrinkles when he looked up and
saw who had opened the door. Thorn
dyfe wusted no time in Introductory
phrases.
Two or three months ago. Mr.. Prag.
more. asked you some questions about
deed purporting to have been given by
John Kilgrow to james Gates. The
record shows that you attested 1t, but
you denied any recollection OF the cir.
cumstances. Will you tell me now that
you did not ontedate your certificate six
years or more? that you did not ac-
knowledge the signature of man
whom you believed to be dead?"
Pragmore stiffened himself in his
chair and made no sign. though he had
to moisten his thin lips to say: "You
cayn't prove anything"
The sullen defiance overdrew what
ever amount of prudence the discovery
of the deed had left Thorndyke. Lean
ing over the desk. he held the paper OUT
spread before the eyes Of the old man
do you pretend to say that this is not
your signature? Will you tell me that
you don't know Fench's handwriting
when you see IL? Did the printers make
mistake Of five years when they put
their imprint on this blank?"
The mask Of inscrutability slipped
inside for q moment, and Pragmore's
face became gray and furred with
terror. Then he relapsed into sullen-
ness again, but there was an angry snarl
IL, his voice when he spoke.
1T don't know nothin' about It, mr.
what-all ye're amin at. but III tell ye.
frst an lnst. ye cayn't bulldoze me.
This here's my office, an since We found
the way in, l reckon ye can find the way
out"
Philip started on in white heat OF
wrath. Halfway to the door be turned
on l'ragmore.
II came down here to give you one
more cha to save yourself" !" be aid;
''you don't deserve any more consider.
alton thnn any common criminal. but
you're m old man and you've let thssc
fellows make . tool Of you. Once for all,
y III youturn states evidence : or Shall I
send the sherif altar your
iro nn coNS1nunD.1 NJ