The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-03-18
A Burglar and
a Lawyer
r HE fellow never seceived me for an
BY FREDERICK T. HILL

Ahotoht. otdtc tulS dI Tie outset
because Benson and his clique in tn,
club corner have carried the matter be
yond the limits of joke. have as nice
a sense OF humor as anyone, but l 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
am no mean judge of character.
In the first place, l 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 squirt
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 it
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-
confdentially so-and for some seconds
regarded me with his uncomfortable
slanting squint.
ID yer know who ann" he asked at
length, speaking through closed teeth.
I shook my head.
I'm Buttsy Macleod" he whispered
confidentially, and showed his chair
back, the better to observe my astonish-
ment.
l 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.
l shook my head again. He dipped a
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.
AN actor! Naw!"
The answer was a 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 cracksmen in the business
and gun" frequently wanted by the
metropolitan police.
finished my perusal of the clippings,
folded them up and handed the bunch
to Macleod without comment.
What is your business with me,
Buttsy?" began.
Law business, of course, Mr.. Peter
son, he answered, emphasizing the title.
IT wanter retain yer"
II am not criminal lawyer" re-
peated, indifferently, as pushed the
paper aside.
Il know 1t. That's why l 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, IL
court proceedings should ensue, would
attract considerable attention.
l had no desire to act as the office ad-
wiser to any criminal. great or small, but
/ did long to match myself, man against
man, and brain against brain, In a legal
contest of note, believing that in the
rapid give-and-take of criminal practice
I should not find myself at loss. The
appealed to my sense OF pro-
fessionai duty and I decided to accept
Buttsy's retainer.
My insight into the mans character,
however, warned me to give no advice
until made, sure Of my fee, and limited !
as much to Macleod. He replied by
producing $50 bill and laying 1t on my I
desk. 49, ,
II want receipt" he ,muttered.
pocketed the bill and asked him to e
explain his case as wrote the required 4
II
Proceed with your story, Macleod
"AIl right" he replied, shifting in his
seat and hitching his chair trife near
sr me. This all comes Of tryin' coun- a
Ery work. ! hadn't oughter left the city, n
Ind don't again after shake this. It
Agures out this way: Ne aide partner
= this deal picked on bunch Of houses, G