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

trust haye an especial prediction. My
Spanish needs little furnishing, and
only the other day I was practicing
with a man whose name, ! believe ~
Murrello. DO you know him"'
IF you have completed your business
| will ring for the servant" saif the
lawyer.
He told me--my Spaniard, I mean
a curious story. He comes from Bar
celona. and by way Of being mason
or something Of the sort, was brought
to England with some other OF his Eel
low countrymen to make some curious
alterations to the house of Senior
in-er-Clapham of all places IN the
world"
The lawyers breath came short and
fast.
From what am able to gather"
Jimmy went on lapguidly, land my
Spanish is Andalusian rather than Ca
talonian. SO that I missed some OF his
interesting narrative, these alterations
partook Of the nature of wonderfully
concealed strong -rooms-stee ! doors
artfully covered with cheap wood cary
concealed strong -rooms-steel doors art
fully covered with cheap wood carving.
vaults cunningly constructed beneath IN
nocent basement kitchens, little stair
ways In apparently solid walls and the
like"
The levity went out Of his voice. and
he Strengthened himself in his chair.
II have no desire to search your Of
fice," he said quietly, "or perhaps
should say no further desire. for have
already methodically examined every
hole and corner. No." he checked the
words on Spedding's lips. mo, 1t was
not who committed the laundering
burglary you spoke Of You never
found traces Of me, I'll swear. You may
keep the keys of your strong-room. and
I shall not trouble your bankers"
lawyer shortly.
II want to see what you have got
downstairs" was the reply. and there
was no doubling its earnestness, and
more especially do I want to see the
| red envelope"
The lawyer bent his brows In
thought. His eyes were fixed unwaver-
ingly on Jimmy's.
"Suppose," he said slowly, suppose
that such an envelope did exist, sup
pose for the sake Of argument these
mysterious vaults and secret chambers
are, as you suggest, in existence, what
right have you, more than any other
one OF the beneficiaries under the will.
to demand a private examination? Why
| should / give you an unfair advantage
over them?"
| Jimmy rose to his feet and stretched
himself before replying.
There Is only one legatee whom
recognize" he said briefly, that Is the
| girl. The money is hers. do not want
farthing. am equally determined
that nobody else shall touch penny
neither my young friend Connor"-
he stopped to give emphasis to the
next two words-"nor yourself
"Sir" said the outraged Mr.. Sped
ding.
Nor yourself, Mr.. SPEEDING" re-
peated Jimmy with conviction. Let us
/ understand each other thoroughly
You are, as / read, you, a fairly
respectable citizen. 1 would trust you
with ten or a hundred thousand pounds
without experiencing the slightest anx-
iety. / would not trust you with two
million in solid cash, nor would l trust
any man. The magnitude Of the sum
is calculated to overwhelm your moral
sense. The sooner the red envelope is
In the possession OF Angel Esquire the
better for us all"
Speeding stood with bent head, his
fingers nervously stroking his jaw
thinking.
IAN agile mind this" thought jim
my; If am not careful there will be
trouble here"
He watched the lawyers face and
noticed the lines suddenly disappear
smile returning.
Cancellation and partial confession
judged Jimmy, and his diagnosis was
correct
'well. Mr.. Jimmy" said SPEEDING
with some show of heartiness, "sincs
you know so much. 1t may be well tt
tell you more. AS you have so clev-
extent is a strong room. There art
many valuable documents that / could
not with any confidence leave deposit
ed at my office. They are safer here
under my eye. so to speak The paper:
of the late Mr.. Reaie are. I confess
in this house: but-now mark me-
whether the red envelope you speak o.
is a multitude Of documents in connec
ton with the case, all Of which hav,
had no time to go through. The hour
Is late. but"
He paused irresolutely.
eff you would care to inspect tn,
mysteries Of the basement smiled
benevolently, and was his old self"
shall be happy to have your assistance
in a cursory search"
Jimmy was alert and watchful ant
to the point.
Lead the way" he said shortly, ant
SPEEDING. after a moments hesitation
opened the door and Jimmy followed
him into the hall.
Contrary to his expectations, the law
yer led him upstairs, and through
plainly furnished bedroom to a small
dressing room that opened off. Their
was a conventional wardrobe agains
the wall, and this Speeding opened
A dozen suits hung from hooks ant
stretchers, and the lawyer gropet
amongst these for a moment. Thel
there was a soft click, and the bacl
Of the wardrobe swung back
SPEEDING turned to his visitor with
quizzical smile.