The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-06-04
CHAPTER XXX.

Sam Pearman had received tHe WIN
of service of this heriot claim with ap-
parent eo%uanimity. 1t must be borne III
mind that practiced spectators on the
turf. as elsewhere, are accustomed u
take their reyerses with much W
nonchalance. But, nevertheless, When hs
visitors had departed he commenced pac-
ing the room after the manner OF a caSeu
tiger. 1t was not likely Denison, whom
he had deemed so entirely in his power,
would have ventured upon such a bold
stroke as this except under very hlgh le-
gal opinion, and whatever it might suit
him at the time to say IN ~paraeel
of Rumford. he was quite aware that no
counsel's opinion in London stood IN
higher repute. He foresaw, at one sweep
the unset of all his Forthcoming schemes.
His father had told him how Harold len
ison had first taken his pretenSiohs 10
Maude's hand. He knew, none bet1er'
how, under the pressure brought TO pear
upon him, the squire OF Gllnns selI-ln-
terest had been enlisted in his behalf. lie
far too keen a judge to think tnat
he had any hold upon Maude's aftec-
tons; his idea was that she just liked
him sufficiently to marry him II her par
ents made a point of it. He was entirely
ignorant of there being a favored lover
in the field. He felt little doubt hat
if Denison could extricate himself from
his power-and should he establish MS
claim he would go near to do so-hls
marriage would be postponed to the Greek
Kalends.
Now for the other point. If he disputes
this fright of heriot," could they prevent
his running Coriander for. the Two Thou
sand? That became a question OF great
Importance. He had backed the horse
heavily-yes, taking last Mondays work
into consideration, very heavily-for the
race: and if he was not to run, there at
once was a loss Of some thousands, to say
nothing of the big stake he had hoped to
win over hat event.
"Ah! ~ he exclaimed, that's it! There
is some inkling of this in the turf market,
and that's the reason the horse has been
SO much laid against lately. This &C
counts for Plyart's determined attack,
and his betting me a hundred even that he
don't start. I'm off to town by the three
train"
Pearman drove straight to his solici.
tors, from Waterloo Station. Office
hours were over, but he contrived to catch
one of the frm-as shrewd an attorney
as one would often meet with. He shook
his head over the case more especially
when he heard of Rumford's adverse opin-
ion.
II don't like it, Mr.. Pearman, at all,
but l will look over the Mannersley title
deeds the first thing tomorrow morning,
and then go over to Hawk, Sparrowbill
and Co. and ask them if they will let me
see Rumford's opinion. But these unen-
franchised heriots are the very deuce to
deal with if the right, as in your case,
is of great value, and the opposite side
are aware of it."
well, you must make out all you can
for me. What time shall l. be at your
office to-morow?-the earlier the better,
mind. Time in this case is worth some
thing like half a sovereign a minute to
me-"
Certainly, sir. Say ten; and you
mustn't mind if you have to wait for
me; 1 shall be comforting with the enc
my, but I'll be back at the office as near
that as 1 can"
"That'll just do. I must catch the
eleven train from Waterloo, if possible.
Goodnight"
Sam Pearman strolled into his club.
He was, as one may naturally suppose
In no great humor for conversation. It
is one of the drawbacks of these pleasant
c~aravansaries that the old adage of Save
me from my friends" is unattainable
therein. You always run the chance of
some %garrulous acquaintance ~discoursing
upon hat amusing case in the divorce
court, utterly unconscious that you are
one Of the parties implicated. You are
asked, perhaps, after your wife, by some
old friend of bygone years who is entire
ly ignorant that you have either buried
or separated from her. Our taciturn Brit
ish reserve has its advantages. Why
should there not be a small coffee room
instituted for sulky members, where at
tempts at conversation should be penal
lied with expulsion? There are times
when we hate even ourselves-much more
our fellow creatures.
Pearman was imbued with a considera-
BILE amount of this latter feeling as he
strolled into the Theatine and ordered
his dinner. His Nemesis was awaiting
him. Ere he had finished his soup, q blue
eyed, fair-haired, vacuous member had
greeted him, and asked him what the
deuce was the matter with Coriander?
Nothing. The horse is well enough.
Why?"
why, haven't you seen the evening pa
pers?"
"No; l have. only just got to town.
What about it?"
"They are laying all sorts Of prices
against him. He is quoted at fifteen to
one offered, and rumor says, in some cases
twenties have been laid"
Hum" grunted Pearman. you'd bet
ter lay it, Curzon. if you think he's gone.
| can only say, when you see he's about
to start for the Two Thousand, l recon-
mend you to hedge every shilling, if you
do"
Thanks" drawled the other, and walk
ed away to disseminate what he had gath
cred from Coriander's owner.
His solicitor the next morning gave
Pearman little satisfaction. Messrs.
Hawk, and Sparrowbill had been most
courteous; they had allowed him to see
the deed, and also Sergeant Rumfords
opinion thereon. In his humble opinion,
the case was very strong; the writ of