Alaska sentinel., 1907-11-14
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The Lost Lease
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PAul 1dTTuul SII III HIS oNhts ming through the morning papers and marking with blue pencil the para graphs his secretary would cut out, hle' and index at late hour. One of these paragraphs ran as follows:
 "Strange Disappearance of Lawyer, MT. Percy Brinstair, well-known lawyer, has mysteriously disappeared and foul play Is suspected. He intended leaving New York at midnight of night before last to attend court being held this week at Mansfield. He requested the housekeeper to have a cab called for him at II :15, saying he should spend the evening at his office, presum- ably studying his briefs. He dismissed his clerks early In the evening. The cabman came for him at the hour named, and, after waiting for some ten minutes, called up the housekeeper, who proceeded to MT. Brinstair's of Aces, but failed to attract his attention by knocking. and, on trying the door, found 1t fastened. Apprehensiye of NlOus tLC AcuSthSSpNA NN&AA ed a policeman, and the door was forced. To their surprise they found nobody within. Everything was In per feet order in fact, appearances sug- gested that MT. Brlnstair had been writing at his desk, threw down his pen on a half-finished memorandum, put on his hat, and departed without even turning down the gas, which was burning brightly. MT. Brinstair's port manteau, containing briefs and other papers, stood open on the floor near his chair. That gentleman, however, had not appeared at Mansfield, where he was expected yesterday. and inquiries at his residence were fruitless in ob- talning any clue to his possible where abouts. His family are in great distress naturally, and clients who have placed valuable papers in his hands required In cases down for trial this week are much embarrassed. The police are mak- Ing investigations"
 Paul Tarrant's survey of the news papers was interrupted by knock at the door and the announcemnt that gentleman wished to see him on busi- ness. The visitors card bore the name of MT. Harvey Cheeseman, and when Mir. Cheeseman appeared he came with a rush and was plainly in a state of high excitement, on which Tarrant's cool manner acted as an rritant.
 "Mr. Tarrant," he cried as soon as he was inside the door T am in great difficulty, and want your immediate help. Money Is no object. Put every thing aside for my matter"
 "St down, Mir. Cheeseman" answer ed Tarrant, calmly; "and tell me as plainly as possible what your matter is Then I can decide whether I can help you or no.'
 "Oh; but you must" demanded the visitor, who appeared incapable of talk ing anything quietly, and ignored the chair Tarrant's secretary placed for him. "No doubt you have heard of MT. Bripstair's disappearance" Tarrant nodded. Well; me had ln his office most important document worth many thousands to me, and 1t Is gone. That document I must have within twenty four hours. The police are simply try ing to find what has become of Brin- stair; they don't care for my docu- ment. Now, I don't care what has be- come of Brinstair, but I want that paper"
 But" said Tarrant, If they find him, perhaps they will find the paper"
 'They may or may not" retorted Mir. Chseseman: probably not. It Is want ed at court this week. A portmanteau full of papers to be used at the same court lies in his office, but my document Is not among them. Nor Is 1t in the box among other papers of mine I can't walt for the dilatory methods of the police. I want an independent in- quiry."
 "As the matter Is so pressing, then, tell me in as few words as possible the nature of this document"
 sIts an assignment of a lease of