Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-13

had finished and the pair Of miserable
for lengthy term of years, that 1
made the acquaintance Of the men I
have just described. remember the
circumstance quite distinctly. had
left the court and was proceeding down
the Old Bailey in the direction OF
Ludgate Hill, when l heard my name
pronounced
Turning round I discovered to my
astonishment the two men had seen
in the court, and who had seemed to
take such an interest in the case. The
smaller was guiding his friend along
the crowded pavement with dexter
ity that was plainly the outcome of q
long practice. When l stopped, they
stopped also, and the blind man ad-
dressed me. His voice was deep, and
had note Of pathos in 1t impossible
to describe. 1t may have been that
1 was little sad that afternoon, for
both the me who had been condemned
to penal servitude had wives and
children, to whose pitiful condition
the learned Judge had referred when
passing sentence.
"You are Mr.. Fairfax, are you not7"
inquired the taller Of the men.
THAT is my name" l admitted.
"What can I do for your"
"If we could persuade you to vouch-
safe us an hour of your valuable time
we should be more grateful than we
could say" the man replied. Eve have
an important piece Of business which
it might possibly be to your advantage
to take up. At any rate, it would be
worthy of your consideration"
"But why have you not come TO me
before?" l inquired. you have seen
me in court every day. Why do you
wait until the case is at an end?"
Because we wanted to re quite sure
of YOU" he answered. "Our csse is SO
large and Of such vital Importance to
us, that we did not desire to run any
risk Of losing you. We thought we
would wait and familiarize ourselves
with all that you have done IN this
affair before coming TO you. Now we
are satisfied that we could not place
our case in better hands, and what we
are anxious to do is TO induce you to
interest yourself in it and take II up"
"You pay me very high compli-
ment," said, but ] cannot give you
a decision at once. must hear what
it is that you want me - do and have
time to think it over. before I can an
swer you. That IS my invariable rule,
and | never depart from it. Do you
know my office?'
1--WE know it perfectly" returned the
blind man. at would be rtrange II we
did not, seeing that we have stood out
side it repea teddy, trying to summon
up courage to enter. Would it be pos
sible for you to grant us an intervie W
tonight"
81 fear not" I said. II am tired
and stand in need of rest If you care
to come tomorrow morning, shall be
very pleased to see you. But you must
bear in mind the fact that my time i;
valuable, and that it is only a certain
class of cases that care to take up per
sonally."
I'VE are not afraid of our case" the
man replied. II doubt if there has ever
been another like it. fancy you your
self will say so when you hear the evi
dence I have to offer. II is not q 5 i
We were destitute. We are prepared to
pay you well for your services. but We
must have the very best that England
can supply
Nv readers must remember tina
this conversation was being carried or
at the corner Of Ludgate Hill and til,
Old Bailey. Curious glances were be
ing thrown at my companions by pass
ers-by, and so vehement were the tai
mans utterances becoming that ;
small crowd was gradually collecting
In our neighborhood.
every we'll" l said, az you ar
really desirous Of consulting me, shal
Do very glad to see you at my office a
ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
must ask you, however, not to be late
as have several other appointments.
I'VE shall not be late" the man an
swered, you may rely upon that W
have too much at stake to run an,
risks of losing your assistance. W
will be with you tomorrow at tie
o'clock punctually."
He thereupon babe me good-by, anc
raising his hat politely was led alon
the street by his companion ID an OF
posite direction to that | was tai
ing. They seemed delighted that ha
given them an appointment, but 70
my part am afraid was too absorbe
by the memories of the day, and tn
punishment that had been allotted I
the two principal members in tn
swindle, to think very much of theI
and their business. Indeed, althoug
l made a note of the appointment,
was not until had arrived at the o,
flee on the following morning that
recollected their promised visit. ha
just finished my correspondence, an
had directed q few letters to my mar
aging clerk, when a junior entere
with two cards, which he placed b'
fore me. The first j took up bore tn
name of Scptimus Codd, that of tn
second, Mr.. George Kitwater. Whe
l had finished the letter l was in tn
act of debating, l babe the clerk az
NIT them, and a moment later tb
blind man and his companion whom
had seen on Ludgate Hill the previou
evening were ushered into my pres
ence. ! cannot remembe more yer
cradle appearance than that Presen