Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-04
A Burglar and
a Lawyer
By FREDERICK T. HILL
HE fellow never deceived me for ar

| r HE Fellow never deceived me luz al
instant. state this at the outset,
because Benson and his clique in the
club corner have carried the matter be-
yond the limits of joke. have as nice
a sense of humor as anyone, but do not
propose to be made laughing stock
simply because Benson chooses to say
was duped. That version of the story
may be funny, even in Benson's mouth,
but 1t does not happen to be true.
was prejudiced against Macleod from
the moment laid eyes on him, and |
am no mean judge Of character.
In the first place, did not like the
way he entered my private room. He
followed the Office boy too closely.
Neither did like his personal appear
ance. particularly disliked the squint
with which he watched me, and his
mouth at the same time. This was es-
pecially distressing, as the part Of his
mouth under observation seemed to re-
treat before his divided glance until 1t
hid around the corner, setting his whole
face askew. Moreover, the very way he
closed the door behind the Office boy
was suspicious, and did not in the least
credit his avowed susceptibility to
draughts.
He placed a chair close beside me-
confidentially so-and for some seconds
regarded me with his uncomfortably
slanting squirt.
Cd yer know who ann" he asked at
length, speaking through closed teeth.
shook my head.
I'm Buttsy Macleod" he whispered
conf1dentially, and showed his chair
back, the better to observe my astonish-
ment.
exhibited no surprise, however. |
was not even interested. The name con-
Veyed nothing to my mind, and | said SO.
ID yer mean ter say yer never card
of me?" he asked, bobbing his neck
threateningly from side to side.
shook my head again. He dipped
hand into the breast pocket Of his over
coat and jerked out bullying booklet
book, from which he extracted bunch
of newspaper cuttings pinned together
with brass fastener.
You are an actor?" inquired, in
credulously.
IAN actor! Naw!"
The answer was snarl Of disgust,
and, without further questioning, / re-
moved my spectacles, cleaned them and
picked up the bunch OF press clippings.
The first words read restored my self
confidence, The fellow was burglar.
Buttsy Macleod, it appeared, was one
Of the best craftsmen in the business
and a "gun" frequently wanted by the
metropolitan police. u
finished my perusal Of the clippings,
folded them up and handed the bunch
to Macleod without comment.
What is your business with me,
Buttsyf" began.
Law business, of course, Mr.. Peter
son, he answered, emphasizing the title.
Il wanter retain yer"
81 am not a criminal lawyer" l re-
peated, indifferently, as pushed the
paper aside.
Il know 1t. That's why ! come to
yer. The criminal sharks is no good.
wants brains"
glanced at my would-be client with |
some surprise. He was apparently a
notorious character and his trial, II |
court proceedings should ensue, would |
doubtless attract considerable attention. |
| had no desire TO act as the once ad-
wiser to any criminal, great or small, but |
1 did long to match myself, man against
man, and brain against brain, In legal
contest Of note, believing that in the !
rapid give-and-take Of criminal practice
| should not find myself at q loss. The
situation appealed to my sense Of pro-
fessional duty and decided to accept
Buttsy's retainer.
Ny insight into the mans character,
however, warned me to give no advice
until made sure Of my fee. and limited
az much to Macleod. He replied by |
producing $50 bill and laying II on my
desk.
81 want a receipt" he muttsred.
/ pookstsd The bin and asked him to
explain hls case e. wrote the required
acknovlsdgnsnt
Proceed with your story, Macleod"
-All right. = he geplicd, shifting In hls
seat and hltchlhg HIS chair = trine near-
e. me. -Ihis all comes Of trim eoun-
IN work I hadn't Oushtsr isft The city,
nnd don't AGAIN after shake TIA 4
1ruru. out hls Way: Ne sd parnr
4 as eel picksd az ahunch q honet
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