Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-11-13
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
WAYLAID BY TWO ROBB. r J


man and Arthur Startling ever began,
and a still greater wonder how II con-
tinued.
II was well for the credit of the firm
that he was the predominant partner,
for his impeccability, his parsimony
(which had ever a spice Of kindness),
his strong sense of justice, and his
industry, were all needed to counter
act the reCklessness Of Mr.. Startling.
The latter had come into the firm as
an adept at litigating business Ia
phase of the profession which Chap
scious of what he was doing-which
was not always the case for certain
IRRESPONSIBLE was up to all the tricks
of common law practice. Each part
ner had his own staff Of clerks. his
own set of chambers, and his own lot
Of clients.
II was rarely that any business of
Importance came to be intrusted to
The Filler" and when the purchaser
brought the contract for a GlG.000
purchase in the summer of 1892, 1t
naturally came to Chapman's side Of
the office.
The preliminary work all fell to my
share. and all went smoothly. The
completion was fixed by the contract
for the 10Th Of September, and, as
all was clear, there was nothing 10
prevent the actual day being adhered
to, Chapman was away with his fam
lily for the vacation, but intended to
come up specially to pay over the
Gli,4O0 balance, after deducting the
ten per cent. paid on the signing Of
the contract.
On the morning of tue 2Sth all was
in readiness. The figures had been
agreed to by letter. and an appoint
ment made with Isaac Blumenthal. the
vendors solicitor, for completion TO
take place at two the next day.
had all the papers in readiness on
the morning of the 2Sth. 1t was our
practice to close al during the long
vacation; but had some letters for
| Startling to sign, and had to wait till
his return to the Office. About j:ij
| | heard his unsteady footsteps coming
up the stairs. He looked up at me
hazily. and threw a wire to me.
What do you think Of It? Are you
ready"
The wire was from Chapman:
please attend BathbriGge compile
ton. Son seriously i'll; fear death
Chapman"
Yes, said |. I'm all ready"
Then be ready to come with me, "
said Startling, Give Kreutzer figures
in the morning. He can draw check
and III sign it. Is the cash at the
bank?"
He had Endorsed the purchasers
check that morning for payment in,
but had forgotten all about It.
He turned up at the office about
noon next day. The check was ready
for his signature, and he signed II.
But the man seemed dazed ! did not
lKe the prospect Of the completion
at all. Still, liked less having the
responsibility myself.
i'h l'NNs l' GtlAt Dlltullb MS
eyes with an effort. Then meet me
at Blumenthal's at ?. Get everything
fixed, and I'll attend with The cash"
Very WELL" said /. and left the
room. But | had no intention of do
ing what he said.
] put the papers together in the
otiice-bag, and slipped out to the soli-
citor's entrance TO the Law Courts.
| Presently l saw Startling come pranc-
! ing along out OF the New Square gate
on his way 10 our bank, the Chancery
Lane branch OF the Union OF London.
| watched him go into the bank, and
presently emerge and turn to the left
up Chancery lane. Then ! followed
quickly. l was within twenty yards
of him when he crossed Holborn and
went up Gray's Inn lane.
| followed across and turned into
I the lane, AS ! rounded the corner |
heard a scuffle and yell. Running
up quickly, | saw Starting on the
! ground, with two rOugh-looking men
holding him down and pulling him
"'Nh's huh a slOuN dsusllth Win u
roOt-knob in my hands. and rushed
up just as they were leaving him.
. ! caught one OF them-a tall, thin
man, with bushy red beard and
large, mlsshapen spectacles-a sound
Ing crack on the back OF his head.
He went down, doubled up in d lump,
and | fastened after the other. But
he was fleet, and did not care to go
= far from Startling, who as still lying
on the pavement, with the ruffian |
had fioored beside him. At least he
ought to have been beside him But
when | returned from my futile chase
of number TWO | could see no sign of
him, He had recovered before Star
ling, and made the best Of his way on
But on the pavement lay a piece of
false red beard! ! found Startling sit
ting up, looking dazed and disreput-
able.