The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-09-11
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The LOST LEASE

BY Oscar Parker.

can exaggerate the Importance of that
lease to me at this moment"
Well, we'll, Mr. Cheeseman; we will
take a cab down to the Temple and
look at the situation. We can talk
further as we go, bullet me add that,
unless you can calm yourself, you will
increase my difficulties considerably,
TO which Mr.. Cheeseman replied that
now that Tarrant had taken the affair
in hand he felt easier,
On their way Tarrant put a few
pertinent questions. Where" he
asked, did you last see this document,
Mr.. Cheeseman?"
AT Brinstair's Office. We locked it
up again in the box reserved for my
papers"
When was THAR"
ION Friday last
land this is Wednesday. And you
haven't seen it since then?"
mo. was going North on Satur-
day, and arranged to meet Brinstair at
Sheffield yesterdays"
"Coul Brinstair have put it in the
wrong box by mistaken"
Impossible? He had the box brought
in, stood it on the table beside his desk.
opened it and took out the lease. When
we had finished with it, he put it back.
distinctly remember seeing him re-
lock the box"
And did he put the box back in its
placer"
'That DOM remember-I'm not
sure-I don't think he did, though,
while l stayed"
Where did you go then?"
ITO my own Office in Cannon street,
where had an appointment, and then
home"
What did that appointment have
reference to?"
mot to this matter in any way"
"Then that wouldn't help us any?"
No; it was merely to close up pur-
chase of some shares and debentures.
1t was too late to deposit the certifi-
Gates in a safer place, SOL put them
in my own safe till 1 came back from
the North"
SWho has an interest in abstracting
or destroying this assignment of the
lease?"
Nobody but the people who have
brought the action for trespass."
well, Mr.. Cheeseman, here we are
at the Temple We shall soon know ii
Mr.. Brinstair has been heard Of"
An amount of hustle unusual in the
quiet precincts of the Temple was ap-
parent as they approached the stair
way leading to Mr.. Brinstairs Offices
A police inspector was leaving the
room as they drew near Are you on
this job?" he asked Mr.. Tarrant.
"A side issue only" replied Tarrant.
"Haye you any clew to the Mystery"
Nothing conclusive. Mr.. Brinstair's
hat, identified by his card inside the
lining has been found in the river
That may mean something or nothing
"a clew or ruse?"
Exactly We can go in?"
Certainly. Come in? There is no
one here but a constable and Mr. Brin-
stairs confidential clerk Nothing has
been disturbed. 1t is evident that Mr..
Brinstair was induced to leave his Of
flee by somebody or for some purpose
during the evening, and never came
back as he intended~when he left"
well, I am not interested profes-
sionally in his disappearance, other
wise than as it might bear on mis-
sing document belonging to this gen.
tleman, Mr.. Cheeseman. l only want
the box in which the papers were kept,
and the portmanteau examined" Tar
rant turned to the confidential clerk
and added: Perhaps you will oblige
me by going through them while l am
here"
ct is no good" interposed Mr.
Cheeseman, irritably, doing that
again. We have gone through the
lot"
DO you really want me to find this
paper for your" asked Tarrant, with
just shade of annoyance in his
tone.
Certainly! Of course do"
"Well, then; oblige me by going
straight to your ONCE and waiting
there till come to you or send for
you. You really put me out"
Mr.. Cheeseman was so amazed that,
for the first time that morning, his,
muscles had a rest. Murmuring some
thing indistinguishable he turned and
left the room.
NOW, sir" said Iarrant to the con-
fdential clerk, who proceeded to make
another search under the keen eye of