The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-02-16

1T WAS always a puzzle TO nae how
| the partnership between Edward
Chapman and Arthur Startling ever
began. and a still greater wonder how
it continued.
It was we'll for the credit OF the frn
thai he was the predominant partner.
for his impeccability, his tparsimony
| (Which had ever spice of kindnessl,
his strong sense of justice. and his in
dustry, were all needed TO counteract
the recklessness of Mr.. Starting. The
latter had come into the firm a. an
adept at iftigating business Il mas
OF the profession which Chapman de-
tested, and when he was conscious III
what he was doing-which was net 81
ways the case for certain reasons-he
! was I'D TO all the tricks OF common
law practice. Each partner had his
own staff Of clerks, his own set OF
chambers. ana his own lot Of clients.
1t was rarely that any business of
| Importance came TO be entrusted TO
! The Flier," and when the purchaser
brought the contract for a eie.oo0 pur-
| chase in the summer of 1892, 1t natural
~ came TO Chapman's side Of the Of
fee.
The preliminary work all fell to M
! snare, and all went smoothly. T1e
completion was fixed by the contract
Tor the 2sth of September, and. as all
| was clear. there was nothing TO pre-
/ vent the actual day being adhered 10.
chapman was away with his family
Tor the vacation, but intended to come
| up specially to pay over the GA, 400
| balance, after deducting the 10 per
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 10
take place at the next day.
! mad all the papers in readiness en-
the morning of the 2Sth- K was cur
practice to close at ) during The long
vacation; but 1 had some letters for
Startling to sign, and had to wait TIL
ms return TO the Office. About 5-45 I
heard his unsteady footsteps coming
up the stairs He looked at me kaz-
| lily, and threw a wire to me.
What do you think Of it? Are you
ready?"
The wire was from Chapman.
Please attend Bathbridge compile
! Chapman
Yes said I, I'm all ready"
/ Then 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
| banke''
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, 1 liked less having the re-
sponsibility myself.
you ready?' he said, opening his
eyes with an effort. Then meet me at
BlumenthaPs at , Get everything
fixed. and I'll attend with the cash.
| Very we'll" said I, and left the
room. But I had no intention of do
ing what he said.
put the papers together in the Of
fee bag and slipped out to the So
licitors' entrance to the Law Courts.
Presently I saw Starting come pranc-
ing along out OF New Square gate on
his way to our bank, the Chancery
Lane branch of the Union of London.
1 watched him go into the bank, and
/ presently emerge and turn to the left
up Chancery lane. Then 1 followed
| quickly 1 was within twenty yards
/ of him when he crossed Holborn and
/ went up GFay's Inn lane.
] I followed across and turned into the
/ lane. As I rounded the corner I heard
a scuffie and a yell. Running up quick
ly, saw Startling on the ground, with
| two rough looking men holding him
down and pulling him about l had a
stout ash stick with a root knob in
my hands, and rushed UP Just as they
We're leaving him. I caught one Of
/ them-a tail, thin man, with a bushy
red beard and large misshapen specta-
| cles-a sounding crack on the back of
his head He went down, doubled up
in a lump, and FASTENED after the 9TH
er. But he was fleet. and I did not care
| to go far from. Startling. who was still
1 lying on the pavement, with the ruffian
I had floored beside him. At least he
ought to have been beside him. But
when I returned from my futile chase
Of number two I could see no sign Of
| him He had recovered before Startling,
and made the best of his way Of But
on the pavement lay a piece of false
red beard! found Startling sitting up,
! looking dazed and disreputable.
Have you got the money all right?'
1 cried; "or did they get it?"
He felt in his inner coat pocket. His
/ face fell. and he looked up hlankly.
Heavens" he cried. THAT red whis-
kered man asked me where the s14O00
was! And that's all remember"
'What?" I cried. Did he name the
sum?''
! les, SalQ Starring why
looked at my watch. It still wanted
| some minutes Of 2.
Have you got the number of the
notes?" I asked.
| Mo- said Startling.
Then win you go to the bank to get
| them?" / said. III be round at the
Office in a quarter of an hour"
Whom are you talking to like that?"
cried Starting. Il don't know what you
mean. It's a bit too thick. Ab-so-
lute-ly.',
Il beg pardon" I said, but I've got
an idea. Do go. I'll explain all TO you
at the office
'AI right" he said. But it beats
me, absolutely"
1 left Startling on his way to get
the numbers of the notes and turned
my steps to BlumenthaPs office. It was
just when 1 got there. the time of
the appointment. An old, dirty-look-
ing clerk. whom ] had seen before.
! was in the clerks Office.
| Mr.. Blumenthal ready2' 7 asked.
I've called to complete. The appoint
ment is for 3
/ thought the old man looked startled
| ''I'll see," he said. He passed through
| a green baize door. and came back al
most instantly. Mr.. Blumenthal is out
at lunch he said. Il expect him back
every moment. VIII you go into his
room and sit DOWN."
No, thank you,'' replied ''Eu wait
here"