The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-04-07
ANGEL
BY EDGAR

owned the freehold Of that desirable
residence, High Holly Lodge"
He was a bachelor, with a taste for
bridge parties and Madeira. Curious
~neighbors would have been mystified IL
they had known that Mr.. Spedding's
repair bill during the first two years of
ms residence was something well over
$4,000. What. they did know was that
Mr.. SPEEDING had the builders in" for
an unconscionable time, that they were
men who spoke in a language entirely
foreign to Chaplain, and that they
We're housed during the period OF reno
walton in a little galvanized iron bun
galow erected for the purpose in the
grounds.
A neishbor on visiting terms express
ed MS opinion that for all the workmen
had done he could discern no material
dlfserence 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 thei: advent. Mr.. SPEEDING met
all carelessly-applied questions con-
corning the extent of the structural all
terations with supreme discretion. He
spoke vaguely about a new system of
Nentl-atlon, and limited at warmth by
radiation.
Suburbia loves to show off its pri-
Vately conceived improvements to prop
ertS, but Mr.. Speeding met yelled hints
or a desire to inspect his work with
that comfortable smile which was SO
Valuable an asset of his business.
II was d 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 e again the paragraph
which old 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, it is under
stood, failing to secure sufficient evil
dence to justify a prosecution"
The lawyer shook his head doubt
fully.
u rather like Angel Esquire's def1ni-
tion," he a with a wry smile. ut is
a neat method of saving the face of the
police. but l could wish tina the Bor-
oush Lot We're out of the way"
opinion.
a tap at the door preceded the entry
Of a 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
ed slightly to the elder man, who rose
at his entrance.
~ IA SllCIlCc llll IHc SeT.
want had closed the door behind him.
1 what am I indebted?" began the
lawyer and motioned his visitor to a
seat.
May 1 smoke?" asked Jimmy, and
Mr.. SPEEDING nodded.
1T is in the matter Of Reale's mil
lions," said Jimmy, and allowed his
to follow the cloud of smoke he
blew.
II thought it was understood that
this was a subject which might only
be discussed at my office and in bust
ness hours?' said the. lawyer sharply.
n Jimmy nodded again.
You will confess, Mr.. SPEEDING" he
said easily, " that the Reale will is
sufhciently unconventional to justify
any departure from established custom
on the part of the fortunate or unfor-
tunate legatees."
Mr.. SPEEDING made an fmnat,ent
movement Of his hand.
II 90 not inquire TITO your business"
Jimmy went on smoothly enough. .and
l am Wholly incurious as to in what
strange manner Q became acuuatnt-
ed with your late client. or what fees
YOU received to undertake so extra
ord1nary q commission; but 1 am salts
ned that o are recompensed for snch
tr1flng Inconvenience assay an AZ
ter.dlnner visit from myself"
Jimmy had a way Of choosing his
words, hesitating for the exact ex-
preston that would best CONVEX every
shade of his meaning. The LAWYER. too
recognized the logic of the speech ana
contented himself with a shrue which
meant nothing.
II do not inquire into your motives"
Jimmy resumed; "it pleases me to he
that they are entirely disinterest-
ca, that YOUR attitude is the ideal one
as between client and agent"
His pause was longer this time. and
the lawyer was piqued into intertectine
an impatient
"Well?"
Well" said Jimmy slowly. "believ-
all this. let us say, I am at a loss
know why at the reading Of the will
you gave us no indication OF the exist.
of a key to this mysterious verse !"
There is no KEY" said tho LAWYER
quickly, and added. 80 far as I know"
That O did not tell u.s." Jimmy
on, as though unconscious Of n
"of the big red enyel.
ope-." IVY
SPEEDING sprang to his feet ,h,.o
death. e as
The envelope" he stammered an
grily. what do you know-what en-
.velope?" i"
Jimmy's hand waved him to his seat
Let us nave no emotions. no flights.
~ outraged nonOr. l beg OF YOU. dear
SPEEDING. I do not suggest that
have any sinister reason Tor for
withholding information concerninp
my friend Angel would cali the
surprise packet In good time I do
lot doubt you would have disclosed its
existence" 10
II know of nc red envelope" said the
awyer doggedly.
y rather fancied you would say
hat" said Jimmy. with a touch or adj
in his tone. You are NOT the
.ort of fox to curl up n howl at the
irst bay of the hound-if you will ner-
nit the smile-indeed. you would have
me If you had"
The LAWYER paced the room.
Look here" he said. coming to a
ALT before the semirecumbent form
hat lay behind a haze of cfgaret
moke in the arm chair. you've spent
great deal Of your time telling me
I am, describing my doubtful
ualitics, and limiting more or less
roadly that l am a fairly representa-
i've %scoundrel. May l ask what is YOUR
ltimate object? Is it blackmail?" he
emanded harshly.
NO" said Jimmy, by no means dis
oncerted by the brutality OF the cues
ion.