Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-03-29
A Il Burglar and ID
q; a Lawyer "a
BY FREDERICK +. HILL

d !. Lawyer '''|'|'
BY FREDERICK +. HILL
r HE fellow never deceived me for an
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
sense OF humor as anyone, but do not
propose to be made a laughing stock
simply because Benson chooses to say
! was duped. That version of the story
may be funny. even in Benson's mouth.
but it does not happen to be true. l
was prejudiced against Macleod from
the moment l laid eyes on him, and
am no mean judge of character. 4,
/ 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 it
hid around the corner, setting MS whole
face askew. Moreover. the very way he
closed the door behind the Office boy
was suspicious. and l 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
ID yer know who an? p he asked at
length, speaking through closed teeth
shook my head. ......
I'm Buttsy Macleod he whispered
confidentially, and showed his chair
back. the better to observe my as*onish-
| ment 49,"
l exhibited no surprise. however. I
was not even interested The name con-
veyed nothing to my mind: and said so.
ID yer mean ter say yer never card
of nle?' he asked, bobbing his neck
threateningly from side to side.
I shook my head again. He dipped q
hand into the breast pocket of his over
coat and jerl:ed out bullying booklet
book. from which he extracted bunch
of newspaper cuttings pinned together
| with q brass fastener. ~>'<
T. You are an actor?" l inquired, in
credulously. -.
AN actor! Naw!" ~&s-. -:
The answer was a snarl of disgust,
and, without further questioning, re-
moved my spectacles. cleaned them and
| picked u9 the bunch Oh 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. 49,.
finished my perusal of the clippings,
folded them up and handed the bunch
to Macleod without comment. :... -
What is your business with me,
Buttsy?" l began. Z. -
Law business. of course, Mr.. Peter
son, !" he answered, emphasizing the title.
Il wanter retain yer" 49, y.
II am not criminal lawyer" re-
peated, iadifferently, as pushed the
paper aside. r
7 know it 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 q
notorious character and his trial. if
court proceedings should ensue, would
doubtless attract considerable attention.
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 legal
| contest of note. believing that in the
rapid give-and-take of criminal practice
should not find myself at a loss. The
situation appealed to my sense of pro-
fessional duty and decided to accept
Buttsy's retainer. " r
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 a $50 bill and laying it on my
desk. 15=.
Il want receipt he muttered.
pocketed the bill and asked him to
explain his case as wrote the required
acknowledgment.
Proceed with your. story. Macleod. ;,
!"All right" he replied. shifting in his
seat and hitching his chair tritle near
er me. This all comes Of tryin' coun-
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