The Holly chieftain., 1898-01-28

providence had given them n. oppor
tunity for which they would have been
willing to pay in the coin OF crime; and
yet, in spite Of the warning aud of the
removal of their chief opponent, they
were still as far Us ever from haven
OF safety; the forged deed was still in
existence, and bribery and search-par.
tics had alike failed to reveal the hid.
ing-placc OF the old mountaineer. The
threatened danger cast its shadow upon
the two men each after his kind.
Sharpless mt erect, scowling and In
domitsble, while Fencn covered in his
chair, clasping and unclaAping his lean
fingers In the nervelessness of dismay
II tell you, Sharpless, it's no use talk.
ing-it never was any use talking; it,
time to run. We might have been In
Mexico by this time II you'd had any
sense"
Fench's voice was querulous with
fear, and the last sentence ended In q
snarl, but the recrimination served
only to deepen the frown on the brow
Of the lawyer. In the silence that sue
ceeded, they heard a curious humping
in the corridor, which was explained
when the door opened to ads,;. en- un.
announced visitor. 1t was Thorndyke
on crutches, and he stopped to close the
door carefully before limping to n chair
from which he could see both of the
conspirators. In the twinkling of ar
eye the scowl on Sharplcss' face melted
into a suave smile OF welcome, and his
greeting was cheerful and genial.
Good morning, Mr.. Thorndyke
You're quite a stranger"
Philip ignored the proffered civility
and went brusqucly to the point. y
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 Us quickly us it had
come, and the thin figure Of the man.
ager seemed to shrink into q still
smaller compass.
you'll have to be more explicit, Mr.
Thorndyke," said Sharpless. fitting eas.
lily in his chnir.
And / will be, simply to show you
what I am prepared to prove. On the
9th of February in the present yeal
you purchased Of James Gates o 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 dom
pretend to understand you omitted te
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 fol
you to say whether my client shall b.
compelled to seek satisfaction in the
courts"
The lawyers face frightened at the
implied alternative. "You mean 9
compromised"
II mean payment in full for what yo,
have stolen"
"That is a harsh word, Mr.. Thorn
dyke"
Possibly, but it has the merit O
truth"
Are you prepared to act for you,
client in this matter?'
II am his attorney in fact"
"What is your propositions"
II will execute . quit-clnim on tn,
part of my client, and will surrende
the forged deed, upon the payment o
100000 in cash or in bankable funds.
Sharpless sprang to his feet with al
oath, and Fench had almost reache.
the door when Philip stopped him
Don't go just yet, Mr.. Fench; there
an officer in the corridor, and he ha
his instructions"