The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-05-06

the transfer Of the property from the
Stoughtons to the Westcotts had been
destroyed and that Colonel Westcott
could not produce any deed. or, to be
more exact, Mrs. Westcott couldn't
produce it. Just what happened when
the colonel suddenly and unexpected
~ appeared no one could find out
He may have shown the deed to
Walmsley and thus have ended the
proceedings. but there is another story
to the effect that Walmsley had this
deed himself and that Westcott got it
away from him either by force or by a
| payment"
"How did Walmsley get it?' inquired
Kelvin.
1.-The story told by those who seemed
to know. said l. was that it had been
| stolen by thieves who entered the
| house. and that Walmsley. who was
generally believed to be Il receiver of
stolen goods. bought this document
| with the rest of the plumber. That
| there was robbery in the old Slough
ton house Know positively. 1t was
said that Walmsley lost his hand in
! q quarrel with these thieves; that Ii
] was so badly injured as to necessitate
| amputation. The name of doctor was
mentioned. but if he did the work he
held the fact to be professional Sc
cret"
when bought the place" said Kel-
vim. Il was aware Of this flaw in the
! title, but | was assured that there was
not Stoughton heir nor Walmsley
| heir on the f1f.p OF tive h ~
Il don't believe that there is one"
said l. ''Walmsley had son. but he
died."
Can you prove it?" demanded Kel-
| vim.
NO" l admitted He didn't die
here Yet | think it is susceptible of
proof He died in early childhood. as
l remember"
"A man has appeared in this town
who claims to be that son." said Kel-
win. HE has threatened me with a
suit. Now, the fellow is an impostor
on the face of him. He doesn't appear
with legal counsel. He came to see me
couple of days ago with some sort of
, documentary rubbish to prove his iden-
tity, and be asked me in the name of
Justice to move out of the house. l
told him to move out pretty quick. He
did. saying that he'd come back. but he
hasn't. l shouldn't ordinarily regard
such claim as having any Importance,
though these blackmailing suits are a
COMPOUNDED nuisance. and if this rascal
really could make out any sort of
case bed have me in tight place. I'd
probably have to pay him something"
ut would be hard to prove the death
Of Walmsley's son at this late date"
said l.
That's true" said he, land yet I'd
be willing to take my chances. But
here's another feature of the case: My
butler. Cobb, who stole the diamonds,
is out on ball. | was going very light
on him. for after all. he furnished us
with q most interesting experience,
thanks to our young friend here, and
besides he didn't really get away with
anything; so the charge against him was
made as mild as the law would allow,
and bail was fixed at $500. 1t has been
furnished in cash. He was released
yesterday, early in the afternoon. and
, be came right up to my house-made a
bee line for it, as I've learned by In
curry. Naturally he didn't feel like
presenting himself at the front door, SO
he got into the house by window Of
the library. l happened to GO to that
room after lunch and met the man face
to face"
There seemed to be something anus
ing in the recollection, for Kelvin grin
ned.
Upon my word. he's a cool one!" he
continued. HE was just taking down
book to read Said he thought that
he'd improve his mind while waiting
for me. Your morals are what need
Improving said L. Your minds all
right After that we got right down
to business, and he said that he had
heard Of the threatened suit against
me and that he could be Of assistance
to NE If would treat him fairly
Naturally | asked him what he could
do. and after some backing and filling
he said that he could produce the miss
ing deed"
II beg your pardon. MIR. Kelvin" said
Donald. did be tell you how he had
get news Of the suit?'
II couldn't corner him on that point"
ansv cred Kelvin. but have a shrewd
idea. His lawyer is Joe Harvey. the
worst shyster in these parts. as I'm
told Now. | believe that the whole
tco has been put up by Harvey and
tina: it is based upon facts told him
by ;'obL.'
THAT seems likely" said I. "Being
in your house, Cobb would naturally
pry into everything that might be of
use to him. He probably heard the old
story Of Walmsley's suit and the miss
ing deed"
ats some kind Of game, of course"