Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-17

ready to spend money. and to employ
all sorts of means 10 thwart the in
vestieation Of the truth. 1t is now
only too plain that the murder of
John r. Wright was simply part Of
n great conspiracy to get possession
of the mines"
"Not a doubt OF it. and there is no
reason to suppose that the conspira-
tors will quietly allow this paper to
remain out of their possession. They
will do some dark scheming to get
hold Of it. 7 think, therefore, that
we had better take copy of It,.
The lawyer got from his desk a
piece of paper. old and somewhat
soiled. which coIsi very easily he
taken for the paper on which the
original agreement had been written,
and then he instructed Warde to
make a copy Just as much like II as
def penmanship could contrve. Irv-
ing was expert enough to make one
that could hardly have been told from
| its prototype. This was held before
the fire so ne to dry the ink and
draw out it's blaclness. 1t was then
folded and backed with the words,
".Iohn T. Wright's Copy of the Agree
ment." lust as the original had been.
Hardly had this task been accom-
plished when the door bell rang Ind
soon afterward the servant an
nounced that Col. Franklin desired
an audience with Mr.. Everett. The
lawyer saw that il would arouse
Franklins suspicious if he declined
an interview. and he was not averse
to n contest Of wits with that astute
individual At first he was puzzled
to know what to do with Irving. 1t
would not do for him to go ont in
the hall and risk being seen by the
colonel.
The left side of Mr.. Everett's IL
brarv was covered with book shelves.
but one of the cases was revolving
| door and bookcase combined. a
slight push turned it sideways and
pcrmjtted entrance to the next apart
mcnt, which was a sort of lounging
room for the lawyer. There were a
great many easy chairs therein. a
lounge. and all the facilities for the
dreamy recreation of reading. When
the lawyer wanted to " ork he occu-
pied the library: when he wanted TO
read he sought the luxurious chair in
the Longing room.
1t was the work of n moment f.
throw back this door. which nad been
contrived purely as convenience.
and not for the purposes of W, ird
romance, and thrust Irving into The
next room.
4 mobcnt afterward Col. Franklin
and MIR. Everett confronted each
other like two intellectual gladiators
in the library. The latter was cool
keen aud collected He had his wits
well in hand and his emotions firmly
in check.
There was a glitter in franklin's
dark eyes, and suppressed excite
ment in his manner which placed him
at a disadvantage. though he was not
aware of il.
Franklin had an intense PERSONAL
ity. He was full of the magnetism
that repels. Even men of the stead
lest nerves and most phlegmatic TEN.
permanent we're surprised to find
themselves trembling in his presence
not from fear. but simply from the
disturbing atmosphere that seemed
TO surround the man. The personal
ity of some men is pacifying and
soothing. while that of others is irri
Oting and discordant. Franklin's
dominating nature came in the lat
Ter category. Everett was aware of
his quality in his antagonist and he
at once forced himself to hecome fla
miiar with il. in much the same way
that the bather inurcS himself to the
cold water by placing first an arm,
then a leg and gradually the whole
body into it. The chill. once ac-
customed to. is virtually worn off.
In few minutes Everett had thor
oughly reutralized the mcsmeric
quality radiating from Franklin. and
the bwo men were now on even terms
But Everett was hardly prepared for
the reckless audacity of the man.
who, without any concealment, went
straight to the object of his bust
ness.
II presume" said Franklin in his
most oNe:aWing manner, that you
are perfectly aware of the object of
my visit?"
Mr.. Everett came very near being
thrown off his guard. but he recov-
cred in a second and replied indiffer-
emily: Not being mind reader,
colonel. ! should not undertake to
say what the object of your wish
was. BE kind enough to explain your
self"
Il came after that paper"
MIR. Everett did not display the
slightest emotion of surprise, en-
barra sSmcnt or indignation. but there
was cold defiance in his blue eye
and ii metallic hardness in his voice
as he replied; "Col. Franklin. You
will have to adopt some other method
if YOU wish to transact any business
with me | have never allowed any
man 10 take that tone with me and
shall make no exception in your
case"
Franklin laughed nervous. dis
agreeable laugh and then said: II
4 Oh. a.,