The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-06-26

and a stll greater wonder how It con-
tinued.
1t Yves well for the credit Of the
firm that he was the predominant
partner, for his impeccability his
parsimony (which had ever a spice Of
hndness). his strong sense OF justice,
and his industry, were oil needed TO
counteract the reckg8sness Of Mr.
Startling The latter had come into the
firm as an adept at ltgating business
"a phase Of the profession which Chap
man Getested). and when he was con-
sciou8 OF what he was doing-which
YVES not always the case for certain
reasoIs-he was up TO all the tricks
of common law practice. Each partner
had his own staff of clerks, his own
set Of chambers, and his own lot Of
clients.
It was rarely that any business Of
Importance came to be intrusted to
"Tbe Flier," and when the purchaser
brought the contract for a G16-
600 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 Goth Of September, and, as all
was clear there was nothing to pre-
vent the actual day being adhered to.
Chapman was away with his family
for the vacation, but intended to come
up specially TO pay over the &14-
400 balance, after deducting the 10
percent paid on the signing of the con-
tract
On the morning of the 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 2 the next day.
I had all the papers in readiness on
the morning Of the 2Sth. 1t was our
practice to close at during the long
vacation; but l had some letters for
Startling to sign, and had to wait till
his return to the Office About 5.45
heard his unsteady footsteps coming
up the stairs. he looked at me hazily,
and threw q wire to me-
what do you think Of it? Are you
ready?"
The wire was from Chapman:
please attend Bathbridge compile
tion. Son seriously i'll; fear death
Chapman.
Eyes," said /. I'm all ready"
"Then be ready to come with me"
said Starting. "Give Kreutzer figures
in the morning He can draw check,
and I'll 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 it,
But the man seemed dazed. l did not
like the prospect of the completion at
all. Still, l liked less having the re-
sponsibility myself.
you Teady?" he said, opening his
eyes with an effort. "Then meet me
at Blumenthal's at 2. Get everything
fixed, and I'll attend with the cash
Every well" said !, and left the
room. But l had no intention Of doing
what he said.
put the papers in the ofice-bag
and slipped out to the solicitors en-
trance to the law courts. Presently
saw Startling come prancing along out
of New Square gate on his way to
our bank, the Chancery Lane branch
of the Union Of London. l watched
him go into the bank and presently
emerge and turn to the left up Chan
Gerry lane. Then l followed quickly.
was within 20 yards of him when he
crossed Holborn and went up Grays
Inn lane.
/ followed across and turned into
the lane. AS l rounded the corner
heard scuffle and yell. Running up
quickly, l saw Startling on the ground
with two rough-looking men holding
him down and pulling him about.
had a stout ash-stick with root-knot
in my hands, and rushed up just as
they were leaving him. l caught one Of
them-a tall thin, man, with bushy
red beard and large, misshapen spec
taeles-a sounding crack on the bach
of his head He went down, doubled
up in a lump, and FASTENED after the
other. But he was fleet, and I did no
care to go far from Starting, who wa
living on the pavement, with the ruff
0an had floored beside him. At leas
he ought to have been beside him, Bu
when I returned from my futile chas
e -..,.nhnr turn could see no SIGN o