Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-01-23
CHAPTER w

SIIAI IN AN.
l was not astonished the next morning
when my housekeeper brought in Mr..
Bax's card.
Introduce Mr.. Bax at once" said 1,
In voice that he might hear.
Mr.. Bax pulled his way into the office
like an unsound locomotive. and | gave
him my hand with a smile. He winked
significantly, and stretched out his legs
when he seated himself. feeling that he
was master of the situation.
"Well," he said, sis your client willing,
TO hand over the trust money, or-going
to fight it?"
81 should not advise him to go to law"
"No," he grunted. with nod. VERY
wise. too"
"a lawsuit would drain the estate; at
the same time we have the money, and
possession is nine points of the law"
"The greater reasou-knock the matter
off at once. You propose compromise. /
suppose, Ell? Good job for Awdrey-got
a generous man to deal with. Any one
else but Lynn would have the lot. Awdrey
wants a third, or something like that,
eh2"
''Dr. Audrey wants as much as he can
gct-reasonably. But, before | can sug-
gest any compromise on his part, we must
prove his innocence. You understand my
position. l cannot run the risk of being
accused of COLLISION"
prove his innocence-how do you pro-
pose to do that?'
II suggest that we hold a meeting in
this office of all the parties concerned.
nd thn otA -
known persona justice OF the peace.
say-to give the inquiry publicity, and
make thorough examination of the af-
fair from beginning to end. l shall try
TO prove my clients innocence to the sat
isfaction of the magistrate. If l fail, so
much the worse for us il l succeed l
shall L very willing TO listen to any
terms you may propose"
And reject EN-" grunted Bax; and
then looking extremely sly, he pursued !:
I'm as deep as you, Keene. You don't
catch me in trap. If you get the mag
istrate and public opinion on your side,
you'll be as saucy as you were the other
day"
Il shan't be fool, Mr.. Bax. You can
withhold your decision as to the course
you shall take, until you have made terms
with me; it is always open to you after
this examination-which. as l have shown
you, is but proper safeguard of my own
reputation-to contest the will, and take
public proceedings. All l demand is a
full examination. and some public recog-
milton of DR.. Awdrey's innocence, before
l attempt any pecuniary accommodation
with you"
eve withhold our decision after the ex-
animation until terms are made with
you" unused Bax, with his finger on his
nose and his eye on the ceiling. We'll,
don't see much objection to the meeting
In that case. But the poison in the mans
mouth-how are you going to explain
that?"
II may be able to prove" said I. after
a show of hesitation. that Flexmore fear
ed untimely burial. and left instructions
for means to be taken after death to pre-
vent resuscitation. may be able to pro
duce his written wish to that effect"
That's q clever notion" exclaimed
Bax, gasping approval. WAS 1t the
doctors idea or yours?"
"Oh, let me Impress upon you At once
said I, that the doctor pleads not guilty
TO everything, and will take no measures
whatever to clear himself from suspicion y
well. I'll talk it over with the
Yeameses, and, il thsy don't object no
reason why We shouldn't fall in with your
plan"
We shook hands and parted with mu-
tual hypocrisy, and got my hat in order
to seek the magistrate whom had fixed
on in my thoughts for the service need.
ed. 1 went OF to the Manor House ID
see Sir Roland Firkin. ]. p.
Cir Roland was one OF the bast-ADewn
and most popular men in the county, and
- deserved to b, epr - Wa th1UtsOh.