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

heart. 81 made mp my mind when
came here that | would have that pa
per. and I propose TO get it. am
desperate man. have staked a
great deal on this little document.
Nothing shall defeat me. you under
stand. nothing. This little revolver
can outwit your clever brains every
time. Now you win be kind enough,
| Mr.. Everett. to hand me that agree
ment between Wright and myself"
Lawyer Everett was naturally a
man of nerve, but he realized that It
was useless to argue against dea Tn !;
and his GOODNESS under the circum-
stances was admirable.
IL am lawyer. Col. Franklin" he
said in an distracted way. looking
into the fire unconcernedly, land am
accustomed to giving advice. Let me
give you some. have no desire to
take any unfair advantage Of Won.
! propose to FIJI all my legal engage
ments. and in such as conflict with
your interests ] expect to give YOU
the best fight ] can: but hereby
warn you that you are making a
| great mistake in trying to obtain
this paper in this manner
"Not at all. You NAV tell any
story YOU please about il. I will de.
nounce it as n myth. You have no
witnesses, and besides | think il s
| Just as well that you should sell this
paper to me and give me a receipt"
you have guarded Yourself adj.
mirablv." said Mr.. Everett, smiling
"Allow me to compliment your dex-
terity and the thoroughness of your
plans, but all the same shall defeat
! you utterly. You will find that this
paper contains more danger TO you
than you ever dreamed of. But how
much do you propose to pay for it?"
"Ten thousand dollars"
VERY we'll" said Mr. Everett sit
ting down to his writing desk in a
business-like manner; there's your
receipt"
''ffere's your money" said Frank
lin. taking ont a roll and throwing
it on the table. Count it,"
ITS all right. Ten $1,000 notes.
Vow the paper. please
Jne lawyer went TO his safe. took
from the iop of bundle II one OF
the p'geonh dies a paDer and, hand
ing It to Franklin. asked if 4 at was
what he wanted.
franklin looked at it casually. was
satisfied with the inspection. thrust
1t INTO his pocket aod pre- pared to
take his departure.
/ "Remcmter, Colonel" said 1ir. Ev,
erett, politely. THAT I warned go,
against all this"
Franklin stood refeciivriy for &
moment. Everctt's manner was nm
intelligible to hir. Then an idea
occurred to him.
perhaps you made a copy of this
Everett made a slight movement OF
self-dissatisfaction as he said: al
had only thought of that
81 think will look at the papers
in your safe
well. if you INSIST. out | give 20,
my word of honor IN. no copy has
peen maze OF inc ' eT now III YOU
/ possession"
But he took out IA hIge bundle o.
papers and rapidly went through
them under Franklin's close inspec
ton The drawers in the safe Were
taken out and their contents exam
med. At last Franklin was satisfied
Mr.. Everett ourteously escorted hin
To the front door and ,.thad hin
good night Then ne wet back to
the library, softly chuckling to him
self.
Irving was brought in momen
after, and he was surprised 10 fine
MIR. Everett in such radiant humor
Irving" said he. 81 have lust sole
piece of property belonging TO yol
and me for 10000"
What do YOU mea1?"
II have disposed of the copy Of th'
agreement which you made tonight.
"How did YOU do ito"
"Col. Franklin insisted on it at thu
point of his pistol"
"Why didn't You call me?"
II didn't want you. One Of II
would have been hurt. and besides
! was glad 10 get rid OF the copy
I Franklin is now satisfied that ther,
is no accusing paper out against him
and the original. which | tossed be
hind the books in the case yonder
is safe. We will have vacation nov
from thieveries and assaults and al
sorts of diabolical schemes. | fee
immensely relie>e ed. BESIDES, here il
$4,000 made by us in a single even
ing"
you can use some of that in con
Quoting the eases You now have or
hand. ! like the idea of hghtins
these people with their own money
"Now. Irving. | am ready TO tr!
Herbert Wright's case"
The next day the original agree
ment was deposited in sealed envel
ope in the vault of the bank wher,
Mr. Everett kept his account.
CHAPTER MIL.
Now ens,ed few DAYS of relic