Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-02-14
WAYLAID

w n
1t was always a puzzle to i how the
partnership between Edward Chapman
and Arthur Startling ever began, and a
still greater wonder how it continued.
1t was well for the credit of the firm
that he was the predominant partner,
for his impeccabilty, his parsimony
(which had ever a spice of kindness), his
strong sense of justice, and his industry,
were all needed to counterfeit the reck-
Iessness of Mr.. Startling. The latter had
come into the firm as an adept at liti-
eating business Ia phase of the profess
sion which Chapman detested), and when
he was conscious of what he was doing
which was not always the case for GER
tain reasons-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.
1t was rarely that any business of inn
portance came to be intrusted to "The
Flier,' and when the purchaser brought
the contract for a fl6,000 purchase in
the summer of 1892. it naturally came to
Chapman's side of the office
The preliminary work all fell to my
share, and all went smoothly. The com
pletlon was fixed by the contract for the
10th of September, and, as all was clear.
there was nothing to prevent 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 fl4,400 balance, after deduct
ing the 10 per cent paid on the signing
of the contract
Or. the morning of the 2sth all was in
readiness. The figures had been agreed
to by letter, and an appointment made
with Isaac Blumenthal, the vendors so
licitor, for completion to take place at
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 | 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 up at me hazily, and
threw a wire to me.
What do you think of it? Are you
Ieady?"
The wire was from Chapman:
please attend Bathbridge completion
Son seriously i'll; fear death.-Chapman -
Yes" said |. Pm all ready"
I'll her 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?'
lie 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. | did not like the
prospect of the completion at all. Still,
/ liked less having the responsibility my
self
You ready?" he said, opening his eyes
with an effort. Then meet me at Blu
menthafs at ,. Get everything fixed
and I'll attend with the cash"
Very we'll, said |, and left the room.
But | had no intention of doing what
he said
put the papers together in the office.
bag, and slipped out to the solicitors en-.
trance To the law courts. Presently |
saw Starring come praneing along out of
New Square gate on his way to our bank,
the Chaneery Lane branch of the Union
OF London. | watched him go into the
! bank, and presently emerge and turn 70
) the left up Chancery lane, Then / fol
lowed quickly. | was within twenty
yards of him when he crossed Holborn
and went up Gray's Inn lane
! followed across and turned into the
lane. As rounded the corner heard d
scutllc and a yell. Running up quickly
| saw Startling on the ground, with two
rough looking men holding him down and
pulling him about | had stout ash
stick with root.knob in my hands, and
rushed up just as they We're leaving him
| caught one Of thcm--a ten thin mar
with bushy red beard and large. mis-.
shapcn spectaelts--a sounding crack on
/ the back of HIS head He went down
\ doubled up in lump. and | FASTENED
after The other. But he was fleet. and
5 | did not care TO 10 far from Starting
J who was still lying on the pavement
with the rutiian had floored beside him
: At least he ought to have been besid,
I him, But when | returned from my
J futile chase Of number two [ could So,
r no sign of him, lie had recovered befor,
. Starting, and made the hest Of his wa,
! off. But on the pavement law a niece a
false red beard! l found Startling sit
, ting up, looking dazed and disrcputablo
Have you got the money all right p
cried; cor did they get itg"
He felt in his inner coat pocket Hi
face fell, and he looked up 6lanklv.
; "Heavens!" he cried. "That red.whi.
kered man asked me where the 9l4OC
was! And that's all | rememberl"
e "Whatr" l cried. Did he name tn
E sum-"
"Yes," snid Startling. why"