The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-01
don't see we'll how we could refuse

I don't see we'll how we could refuse to
undertake it. Business is business"
Five years before Messrs. Walker and
Simmons had been startled by the receipt
Of registered parcel which contained
bank notes to the amount of $500 pounds.
Accompanying the notes was letter di-
recting the lawyers to invest the money
in consols, and after deducting their ex-
penses, to send the interest every quarter
to Mrs. Holt. The letter contained no ad-
dress, was simply signed "Your Client"
and every communication since then had
been signed in the same way. This un-
known client must have. reposed great
trust in the firm to have put this business
in their hands in so singular a fashion.
So it had gone on, and now had arrived
singular climax not only in the refusal
by Frank Holt to receive any more money
from the unknown source, but also in
the letter which had so agitated the young
artist. -.-.. ....-
After Mr.. Walker had arranged every
thing to his satisfaction, placing some let
tiers under a weight, slipping others into
bundles of papers tied with red tape, and
tearing up the unimportant ones, he threw
himself back in his comfortable padded
chair, leant his elbows on the curved arms
and brought the tips of his fingers to-
gether. 1t was his favorite attitude for
meditation. ...
"Supposing young Holt had read the
letter he would have got nothing out Of it.
This queer fellow never gives an address.
But the nature Of the letter, so entirely
confidential, made it absolutely impossi-
BILE The further, the matter goes the
stranger it becomes. Fancy man leav-
ing his wealth to young fellow-penniless
50 far as know-who, if he were told Of
his good fortune, would refuse to touch a
penny"
This, indeed, was the nature of the let
ter of which Frank Holt had caught a
glimpse. The man who called himself
your client intimated his desire to
make his will, which the lawyers were
to draft He wanted to leave everything
he possessed to Frank Holt; the will was
to be made so that nobody could upset
it; and he would call in about a fort
nights time to append his signature.
"Odd business-odd business" muttered
Mr. Walker. 'Well, we shall see what
will come Of it."
The lawyer docketed the letter, and in
the absorption of other work forgot all
about it. But not for long. From time
to time during the day the whole history
of the strange transaction f1oated back
to his mind, and he found himself pom
dering not only over the monetary direc-
lions of this man, but his queer fancy fol
the Holts, and his connection with the
letter which decoyed Hugh Trenaine tC
his death.
Frank Holt left the lawyers office in 9
state Of wild excitement. Half a dozer
rash schemes f1oated thru his mind. each
of which had for its object the abstrac-
ton from Mr.. Walkers possession of the
letter in which his name was mentioned
But he dismissed them. Everything, he
felt, would have to be done decently and
in order.
He determined to take legal opinion or
the matter, and he went straight to the
solicitor who had defended him before the
ma gistrate. This was Mr. Wisbey, OF
Old Square, Lincolns Inn, very SHARP
man. but one who had the reputation Of
heing somewhat hungry after money