The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-04-07
ANGEL ESQUIRE
BY EDGAR WALLACE


residence. High Holly Lodge"
He was a bachelor, with a taste for
bridge parties and Madeira. Curious
neighbors would have been mystified II
they had known that Mr.. Spedding's
repair bill during the first two years of
his residence was something well over
6 5000. What they did know was that
Mr. Speeding had the builders in" for
an unconscionable time, that they were
men who spoke in language entirely
foreign to Chaplain, and that they
were housed during the period Of reno
walton in little galvanized iron bun
galow erected for the purpose in the
grounds
A neighbor on visiting terms express
ed his opinion that for all the workmen
had done he could discern no material
difference In the structure of the house,
and from his point Of view the house
presented the same appearance after
the foreign builders left, as 1t did be-
fore their advent. Mr.. SPEEDING met
all carelessly- applied questions con-
corning the extent OF the structural al
spoke vaguely about new system Of
ventilation, and limited at warmth by
radiation.
Suburbia loves to show Off its pri-
vately conceived improvements to prop
erty, but Mr.. Speeding met yelled hints
Of desire to inspect his work with
that comfortable smile which was so
valuable an asset Of his business.
1t was few evenings after the scene
In the Lombard Street Deposit that Mr..
Speeding sat in solitude before his
modest dinner at Chaplain.
An evening newspaper lay be the side
Of his chair. and he picked it up at in
tervals to read again the paragraph
which told Of the release Of the Dor
ough Lot" The paragraph said:
The men arrested In connection with
the gambling raid at Poplar were dis
charged today, the police, 1t Is under
stood, failing to secure sufficient evil
dence to justify prosecution"
The lawyer shook his head doubt
fully.
II rather like Angel Esquires defini-
tion," he said with wry smile. 1T is
neat method of saving the face of the
police, but could wish that the 'Bor-
ough Lot were out Of the way"
Later he had occasion to change his
opinion.
A tap at the door preceded the entry
of sedate butler. The lawyer looked
at the card on the tray and hesitated;
then, "Show him in" he said.
Jimmy came into the room, and bow
at his entrance.
They waited In silence till the SER
want had closed the door behind him.
ITO what am indebted?" began the
lawyer and motioned his visitor to a
seat.
May smoker" asked Jimmy, and
Mr. Speeding nodded.
1T is In the matter Of Reale's mill
lions" said Jimmy, and allowed his
eyes to follow the cloud Of smoke he
blew.
oI +bo,,rh< a. 900. ,,~z1-uxaos A.. .
this was a subject which might only
be discussed at my office and in bust
ness hours?' said the lawyer sharply,
and Jimmy nodded again.
you will confess, Mr.. SPEEDING" he
said easily, that the Reale will is
sufficiently unconventional to justify
any departure from established custom
on the part Of the fortunate or unfor-
tunate legatees."
! Mr.. SPEEDING made an impatient
movement Of his hand.
II do not inquire into your business, "
Jimmy went on smoothly enough, land
/ am wholly injurious as to In what
strange manner you became acQuaint-
ed with your late client, or what fees
you received to undertake so extra
ordinary commission; but am salts
fled that you are recOmpensed for such
! trifiing inconvenience assay an af-
ter-dinner visit from myself"
/ Jimmy had way Of choosing his
words, hesitating for the exact ex-
preston that would best convey every
shade Of his meaning. The lawyer, too
recognized the logic Of the speech, and
contented himself with shrug which
meant nothing.
II do not inquire into your motives, y
Jimmy resumed lit pleases me to be-
lieve that they are entirely disinterest-
ed, that your attitude is the ideal one
as between client and agent"
? His pause was longer this time, and
the lawyer was piqued into interfering
| an inpatient
''Well?"
WELL" said Jimmy slowly, "believ.
Ing all this, let us say, I am at a loss
to know why at the reading Of the will
, you gave us no indication Of the exist
ence Of key to this mysterious verse;
There Is no key" said the lawyer
quickly, and added. $50 far as know.
THAT you did not tell u.s." Jimmy
interruption, "of the big red envel.
ope-."
Speeding sprang to his feet white a.
death.
1.-THE envelope" he stammered an.
grily, what do you know-what en-.
velope?"
Jimmy's hand waved him to his seat
| l<St US nave uO eIuOtlOUS, no HlRnCS
no outraged honor, beg of you, dear
Mr.. Speeding. I do not suggest thai
you have any sinister reason FOL
withholding information concernins
what my friend Angel would call the
surprise packet In good time I de-
not doubt you would have disclosed 1t.
existence"
1T know Of no red envelope" said the
lawyer doggedly.
IT rather fancied you would say
that" said Jimmy, with touch Of ad
miration in his tone. you are not tn,
sort of fox to curl up and howl at tn.
first bay OF the hound--if you will per
NIT the smile-indeed. you would hav,
disappointed me II you had"
The lawyer paced the room.
Look here" he said, coming to
halt before the semirecumbent form
that lay behind q haze of cigaret
smoke in the arm chair, you've spen
a great deal Of your time telling M
what I am, describing my doubtful
qualities. and limiting more or les
broadly that am fairly representa-
tive scoundrel. May / ask what is you
ultimate object? Is 1t blackmail?" h
demanded harshly.
mo" said Jimmy, by no means dis
concerted by the brutality Of the ques
ton.
Are you begging or borrowing
Stealing" murmured Jimmy lazily
"All that / have to say to you Is
finish your business and go. Further
more, you are at liberty to come witt
me tomorrow morning and search m,