The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-07-23

piece, and from the generous CRATE
came the warmth that filed the en-
tire room.
Hardly had Warde taken off his
o%vercoat and ensconsed himself in a
chair, when the bell rang and Fenton
was announced. He came insdisguise,
wearing a heavy beard, which at night
would easily prevent anyone from
recognizing him.
Mr.. Everett was by nature a hospi-
table man, so he made his guests
welcome, and before they proceeded
to business he told a few remarkably
good anecdotes, interlining them with
a choice punch of his own making,
the recipe for which was a native of
Virginia and had been in the family
for 0 than 100 years. The lawyer
was in exceptionally bright spirits,
and his whole manner indicated that
he had something to tell which would
surprise them. In a dignifed, lawyer
like way he seemed to relish the fact
that he had a sensation to commune
cate.
81 have seen Herbert Wright to-
day." he said, "and he has put me in
possession of his defense. It is of
such 4 character that I must pledge
you both to secrecy, but I must also
put you in possession of it, because
you can both help me. If we should
publish it in the papers of Nilus to-
morrow I have no doubt that nearly
everybody in. the city would dismiss
it as the invention of a very clumsy
liar. You also may declare it to be
utterly incredible, but the events with
which you T familiar and which
have been withheld from the public
T corroborative of Wright's story.
But there are many links missing,
and only the most painstaking labor
will enable us to complete the chain.
The mystery that surrounds the
death of John T. Wright also pervades
his entire business career. The man
who in the public estimation was a
millionaire, died apparently almost a
pauper. I am satisfied that some
where the two mysteries blend to-
gether and that the same key will
serve to unlock both. John T. Wright
had a large estate and he made large
sums of money in his business. Where
did it all go? The only answer to this
question is that it went 20 years ago
to buy him off from the gallows.
Have another sip of punch?"
The invitation was accepted, they
seated themselves about the table,
and the lawyer told his story to two
silent, breathless auditors.
: X X \
"It's a wonderful story, but can it
ever be established?" said Irving,
helplessly.
Fenton was deeply interested; he
was even excited. Here was some
thing worthy Of his mettle.
81 think I can do something in this
case" he said, quietly, but with some
thing in his tone that indicated a sub
dued enthusiasm.
The CLEAN in his eye and the com
preston of his lips were-signHcaDf
Petition had asS5re to pay h,ydndf Il
was not in human nature that he
should not be glad at having the OBJ
portunity to "get even" He was con-
WINGED that he wa the victim of too
much interest in the Wright case,
and he felt his resolution nerved anew
in the desire to clear up the affair.
In this way he would have a royal
revenge.
II am convinced of one thing
thoroughly" said MI. Everett as they
were about to break up, land it is
this: Herbert Wright's story fur
nishes the ground work from which
we must work to clear up the mys.
terry, and it is useless to follow any
other theory; OF else there is no
mystery, and he is his fathers muir
derer. So l would advise you both to
keep his story clearly in mind what
ever you do"
Irving now took his departure.
Fenton remained a few minutes
longer to discuss some Of the details
of his work, and then he, too, left,
taking a direction different from that
taken by Warde. The three men were
now thoroughly alive to the import
ance Of working quietly and free
from observation.