Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-03-04

I with the rest OF the plumber. That
! there was Il robbery in the old Slough
/ ton house l know positively. 1t was
said that Walmsley lost his hand in
u quarrel with these thieves; that it
was SO badly injured as to necessitate
amputation. The name of doctor was
mentioned, but if he did the work he
held the fact to be professional Sc
cret."
when bought the place." said Kel-
win, 81 was aware of this flaw in the
title, but was assured that there was
not Stoughton heir nor Walmsley
heir on the face of the earth"
| 81 don't believe that there is one"
said l. "Walmsley had son, but he
died."
"can you prove it?" demanded Kel-
| vim.
NO" l admitted. ''He didn't die
| here. Yet think it is susceptible Of
proof He died in early childhood, as
remember"
"a man has appeared in this town
who claims to be that son." said KEEL
win. HE has threatened me with
suit. Now, the fellow il an impostor
| on the face of him. He doesn't appear
with legal counsel. He came to see me
couple of days ago with some sort of
documentary rubbish to prove his iden-
tity, and he asked me in the name of
| justice to move out of the house.
told him to move out pretty quick. He
1 did, saying that he'd come back, but he
hasn't. shouldn't ordinarily regard
] such a claim as having any Importance,
though these matchmaking suits are a
COMPOUNDED nuisance, and if this rascal
really could make out any sort of
case he'd have me in a tight place. I'd
probably have to pay him something"
at would be hard to prove the death
of Walmsley's son at this late date"
said I.
That's true" said lie, .and yet I'd
be willing to take my chances. But
here's another feature of the case: My
butler, Cobb, who stole the diamonds,
on him, for, after all, he furnished us
with a most interesting experience,
thanks to our young friend here, and
besides he didn't really get away with
anything; so the chargeagainst him was
| made as mild as the law would allow,
and bail was fixed at $500. 1t has been
furnished in cash. He was released
yesterday, early in the afternoon, and
he came right up to my house-made
bee line for it, as I've learned by in
quiry. Naturally he didn't feel like
Ia, al, Il
he got into the house by window Of
the library. l happened to go to that
IyiooiIf after lunch and met the man face
to face
There seemed to be something anus
ing in the recollection, for Kelvin grin
ned.
upon my word. he's cool one!" he
continued. He was just taking down
book to read. Said he thought that
he'd improve his mind while waiting
for me. Your morals are what need
improving said L. Your minds all
right After that we got right down
to business. and he said that he had
heard Of the threatened suit against
me and that he could be of assistance
to me if l would treat him fairly.
| Naturally l asked him what he could
do, and after some backing and filling
he said that he could produce the miss
ing deed"
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Kelvin" said
Donald. did he tell you how he had
got news of the suit?"
81 couldn't corner him on that point"
answered Kelvin, but have shrewd
idea. His lawyer is Joe Harvey, the
worst shyster in these parts as Pm
told. Now, believe that the whole
job has been put up by Harvey and
that it is based upon facts told him
by Cobb"
"rhat seems likely" said 1. Being
In your house. Cobb would naturally
pry into everything that might be of
use to him. He probably heard the old
story Of Walmsley's suit and the miss
Ing deed"
. "Its some kind of game, of course"
continued Kelvin, but here is the fact:
If this fellow can really produce this
deed, I'm willing to pay something for
1t and ask no questions. More than
that. I'll do my best to withdraw the
charge Of theft against Cobb in the
matter of the diamonds"
, l told Kelvin that l thought 1t great
mistake to permit rascal to triumph
in this way end go scot free after q
crime which really had no excuse. In
my opinion, one should take the side OF
the law in such matters for the protec.
ton Of the community. If Cobb had
been sorely tempted man l would
have wished to see the utmost leniency
shown to him, but he had committed q
bald crime and was now following II
up with another. The place for such q
man is the penitentiary.
. "In business natter" said Kelvin
II never lose sight of this one great
point What is it that Pm after? In
this case it is the deed that completes
my title to The Elms. II could get II
for nothing and send Cobb to the pen
itentiary to boot I'd do it. Perhaps
!. there may be a way to manage that"
at is my judgment" said l, that the
fellow has bogus deed for sale"
'"The same thing occurred to me, Of
courses responded Kelvin, "and fol
that reason put Cobb off. If I'd asked
him to produce his document. should
not have known whether it was genu
inc or not"
"He couldn't have had it in his peck
ct, Mr.. Kelvin" said Donald. 1.-THE fel
low had just come from jail where hi
was searchcd."
"If 1t is bogus" suggested, "Jot
Harvey probably made 1t and now hal
it in his Office"
Kelvin rubbed the knees of his trou
sers with the palms of his hands, !,
} way he had when approaching the ont
great point What Is 1t that In
4 after?"
: "I'm told that you IRE an expert IL
). these matters. Mr.. Harrington" sait
he. 'I've made some quiet inquiries