Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-05-13

with anything, it would be different;
but so far as Maitland had been able
to determine, she had distracted moth
ing, disturbed nothing beyond a few
square inches of dust.
Unwillingly Zimmerman put the
salad out of mind and turned to the
business whose immediate moment
had brought them together. He
hummed softly. calling his client to at
tention. Maitland came out of his
reverie, vaguely smiling.
I'm waiting, old man. What's up"
"The Graeme business. His lawyers
have been after me again. | even had
a call from the old man himself"
YES? The Graeme business"
Maitland's expression was blank for a
moment; then comprehension informed
his eyes. ooh, yes; in connection with
the Dougherty investment swindle."
That's 1t. Graeme's pleading for
mercy"
Maitland lifted his shoulders sig
nificantly. That was to be expected,
wasn't it? What did you tell him."
That I'd see you
Did you hold out to him any hopes
that I'd be easy on the gang?"
81 told him that | doubted if you
could be induced to let up"
Then why"
why, because Graeme himself is as
innocent of wrong doing and wrong in
tent as you are"
You believe that"
Il do" affirmed Bannerman. His
fat pink fingers drummed uneasiIy on
the cloth for a few moments. There
isn't any question that the Dougherty
people induced you to sink your money
in their enterprise with intent to de.
fraud you"
81 should think not" Maitland inter.
jected, amused.
But old man Graeme was honest
in intention at least. He meant nc
harm; and in proof of that he offers
to shoulder your loss himself. if by sc
doing he can induce you to drop furth
er proceedings. That proves he's in
earnest, Dan, for although Greame is
comfortably well to do, it's Il known
fact that the loss of a cool half million
while it's "a drop in the bucket to you
would cripple him."
Then why doesn't he stand to his
associates. and make them each pay
back their fair share of the loot
That'd bring his liability down Il
about fifty thousand"
Because they won't give up without
a contest in the courts. They deny
your proofs-yOu have those papers
haven't you?"
safe, under lock and key" asserted
Maitland, sententiously. when the
time comes I'll produce them"
"And they incriminate Graeme?"
! They make 1t look as black for hin
as for the others. Do you honestly be
lieve him innocent, Bannerman?"
81 do. implicitly. The dread of ex
posure, the fear of notoriety when thu
case comes up in court, has aged th
man ten years. He begged me witt
|
1t and accept his offer of restitution
Don't you think you could do it, Dan?
mo, l don't" Maitland shook hi
head with decision. IF let up, tn
scoundrels get OFF scot free. / hav
nothing against Graeme; am willin
to make it as light as / can for him
but this business has got to be aire
In the courts; the guilty will have t
suffer 1t will be lesson TO the pull
lie. lesson to the seamps, and a les
son to Graeme-not to lend his nam
too freely to questionable enterprises.
And that's your final word. Is it?
, Final, Bannerman. You 6
ahead; prepare your case and take
! to court. When the time comes, as
say, III produce these papers. ! can
, go on this way, letting people that IL
, an easy mark just because was vi
: fortunate enough to inherit NOR