The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1907-09-20


ening up and taking his pipe from his
mouth. I'm Mr.. Glenarm's counsel. II
you will do me the kindness to ask the
sheriff to retire for a moment I should
like to say few words to you that you
might prefer to keep between our.
selves"
had usually found 1t wise to take
any cue Larry threw me, and l said:
Pickering. this is Mr.. Donovan, who
has every authority to act for me In
the matter"
Pickering looked impatiently from
one to the other OF us.
You seem to have the guns. the
ammunition and the numbers on your
side" he observed dryly.
The sheriff may wait within call"
said Larry, and at word from Pick
ering the man left the room.
Now, Mr.. Pickering. spoke
slowly,-"as my friend has explained
the case to me. the assets OF his grand
fathers estate are all accounted for
the land hereabouts, this house. ten
thousand dollars in securities and a
somewhat vague claim against lady
known as Sister Theresa, who con-
ducts st. Agatha's school. Is that cor
rect?"
Il don't ask you TO take my word for
1t, SIR" rejoincd Pickering hotly. Il
have filed an inventory Of the estate.
SO far as found, with the proper au-
thorities."
Certainly. But merely wish to be
sure OF my facts for the purpose of
this interview, to save me the trouble
| of going to the records. And. more
| over. l am somewhat unfamiliar with
your procedure in this country. I am
member, sir. OF the Irish bar. Par.
don me. but I repeat my question"
Il have made oath-that | trust, is
sufficient even for a member OF the
Irish bar"
Quite" said Larry. nodding his
head gravely.
| He was not. to be sure. a present
able member of any bar. for a smudge
| ietracted considerably from the ap-
Dearance of one side of his face. his
clothes were rumpled and covered with
| brick dust, and his hands we're black.
| But l had rarely seen him so calm. He
recrossed his legs. peered INTO the
BOWL of his pipe for a moment, then
! asked. as quietly as though he were
soliciting an opinion OF the weather.
| s'Will you tell me, Mr.. Pickering.
| whether you yourself are debtor OF
Tohn Marshall Glenarm's estate?''
Pickering's face grew white and his
.yes started. and when he tried sud-
ienly to speak his Jaw twitched. The
| 81. kr-n 80
blazing log on the andirons was a
pleasant relief. We stood. the three
II us. with our eyes on Pickering. and
IN my own case must say that my
heart WAS pounding my ribs At an uns
comfortable speed. for knew Larry
vas not sparriug for time.
The blood rushed into Pickering's
ace and he turned toward Larry
stormily.
This is unwarrantable and In
iamous. My relations with Mr.. Glen
| trm are none of your business. When
fou remember that after being desert
ID by his own flesh and blood he ar-
pealed to me. going so far as 20 in
trust all his AFFAIRS to my care at his
death. your reflection is an outrageous
insult. ! am not accountable to you or
any one else"
Really, there's a good deal in all
that" said Larry. We don't pretend
to any judicial functions. We are per.
fectly willing to submit the whole bus,-
ness and all my clients acts to the
authorities"
Il would give much II could repro.
| duce some hint of the beauty of that
word authorities as It rolled from
Larry's tongueo.
Then. in Gods name. do II, you
blackguards." roarcd Pickering.
Stoddard. seated on the table.
knocked his heels together gently
Larry recrossed his legs and blew n
cloud of smoke. Then, after a quarter
OF a minute in which he ga,ed at the
ceiling with his quiet. blue eyes, he
said:
Yes; certainly, there are always the
authorities. And as ! have a tremen.
dous respect for your American insti.
tutions shall at once act on your sug-
gestion. Mr.. Pickering. the estate is
richer than you thought II was. 1t
holds, or will hold. your notes given to
the decedent for $4,000"
He drew from his pocket a brown
envelope. walked to where | stood and
placed II in my hands.
At the same time Stoddard's big
figure grew active. and before I real
lied that Pickering had leaped toward
the packet. the executor was sitting in
a chair. where the chaplain had thrown
him. He rallied promptly. stufiing his
necktie into his waistcoat; he even
laughed a little.
so much old paper! You gentlemen
are perfectly welcome to It."
Thank you!" jerked Larry.
mfr. Glenarm and had many trans.