The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-15

out taking it. His companion, a burly
countryman, stood staring, a paper in
his hand.
The sheriff" Pickering explained.
land our business is rather personal"
He glanced at Stoddard, who looked
at me.
Mr. Stoddard will do me the kind
ness to remain" I said and took my
stand beside the chaplain.
Obi" Pickering calculated scorn-
fully. Il didn't understand that your
relations with the neighboring clergy
were so intimate. Your taste is i'm
proving. Glenarm."
Mr.. Glenarm is a friend Of mine"
remarked Stoddard quietly. "a very
particular friend" he added.
Il congratulate you-both."
I laughed. Pickering was surveying
the room as he spoke.-and Stoddard
suddenly stepped toward him, merely,
I think. to draw up a chair for the
Sheriff; but Pickering. not hearing
Stoddard's step on the soft rug until
the clergyman was close beside him,
started perceptibly and redeemed.
1t was certainly ludicrous, and when
Stoddard faced me again he was biting
his lip.
Pardon met" he murmured
Now gentlemen, will you kindly
state your business? My own affairs
press me"
Pickering was studying the cartridge
boxes on the library table. The sheriff
too was viewing these effects with in
terest not, l think, unmixed with awe.
"Glenarm, I don't like to invoke the
law to eject you from this property,
but I am left with no alternative. l
can't stay out here indefinitely, and I
want to know what's I'm to expect"
THAT is a fair question" I replied.
IF it were merely a matter Of follow
ing the terms of the will I should not
hesitate or be here now. But it isn't
the viii, or my grandfather that keeps
me, it's the determination to give you
all the annoyance possible,-to make
it hard and mighty hard for you to get
hold Of this house until l have found
why you are so much interested in it"
You always had a grand way in
money matters. AS I told you before
you came out here, it's a poor stake.
The assets consist wholly Of this land
and this house, whose quality you have
had an excellent opportunity to test.
You have doubtless heard that the
country people believe there is money
| concealed here,-but I dare say you
have exhausted the possibilities. This
is not the first time a rich man has
died, leaving precious little behind
him"
you seem very anxious to get pos
session of a property that you call a
poor stake" I said. "a few acres of
land, half-fnished house and an un-
certain claim upon a school teacheri"
Il had no idea you would understand
my position" he replied. The seri.
BUSINESS of a mans oath to perform the
| solemn duties imposed upon him by
law would hardly appeal to you. But
/ | haven't come here to debate this
/ question. When am l to have posses
sion?"
Not till I'm ready,-thanksi"
Mr. Sheriff. will you serve your
WRIT" he said, and I looked to Stod
dard for any hint from him as to what
I should do.
'I believe Mr.. Glenarm is quite will
ing to hear whatever the sheriff has t.
say to him, said Stoddard. He stepped
nearer to me, as though to emphasize
the fact that he belonged to my side
of the controversy, and the sheriff reaC
an order of the Wabana county circui
court directing me, Immediately, to de
liver the house and grounds into The
keeping of the executor of the will o
the estate of John Marshall Glenarm.
The sheriff rather enjoyed holdin,
the center Of the stage. and I listened
quietly to the unfamiliar phraseology
Before he had quite finished I heard
step in the hall and Larry appeared a
the door, pipe IN mouth. Pickering
turned toward him frowning, but LAIR.
paid not the slightest attention to tn
executor, but leaned against the doc
with his usual tranquil unconcern.
Il advise you not to trihe with tn
law, Glenarm," said Pickering, as tn
sheriff folded his paper You hav
absolutely no right whatever to
here. And these other gentlemen
your guests, suppose-are equal
trespassers under the law"
He stared at Larry, who crossed hi
legs for greater ease in adjusting hi
lean frame to the door.
We'll, Mr. Pickering, what Is tn
next step?" asked the sheriff.
MIR. Pickering" said Larry, straight
ening up and taking his pipe from hi
, mouth, I'm Mr.. Glenarm's counsel.
, you will do me the kindness to ask tn
sheriff to retire for a moment shoul
, like to say a few words to you that yo
, might prefer to keep between ouI
selves"
! had usually found it wise to TAX
t any cue Larry threw me, and I said
t Pickering, this is Mr.. Donovan, VII
has every authority tn act for me /