The Washington times., 1913-11-04

tinued Mr.. Bradfeld, leaning
forward over his cane as far as
his girth would allow, against
the private secretary, Nathaniel Court
ney. 1 must necessarily be careful what
say, since 1 have no proof to sub
stantiate any suspicious. but am GER
tain beyond a shadow of a doubt that
only two persons could, within the
range of possibility, have stolen those
bonds-Mr. Courtney or myself.
Since l know, unless j am insane.
that i am guiltless, / am constrained to
suspect the secretary. 1t was because
Of my suspicious that came to consult
you last Wednesday without taking
him into my confidence. His later sug-
gestion to me that we bring the matter
to your attention / regarded as a mere
coincidence, until 1 discovered that he
had ascertained the fact of my previous
visit to you.
His caution had evidently taken
alarm, and he determined by this act
to allay my suspicious and throw you
of the scent, thereby gaining time for
his own operations, whatever they
may be.
bringing to close the investigation
you are now engaged upon, before TAX
ing up this affair. which is of such
vital moment to us both, was but an
other ruse to gain time. You can see
how convinced i am of the mans guilt
when L make these positive assertions
with no proof to strengthen them
Il can readily see your point of view.
of course" remarked Yorke, but I
could not act on another mans sus-
picions. Mr.. Peter Lowndes is known
the civilized world over as one of the
greatset and most astute wizards of
finance the age has produced Would
such d man, with his ooundless judg-
ment of character and subtlety of mind,
be mistaken in his choice of his most
confidential agent, especially after years
of close association?
Mr.. Bradfield shrugged his shoulders
and spread his fat hands out upon his
rounded knees.
we are all human. Mr.. Yorke, and
prone to mistakes. Mr.. Peter Lowndes
was a wonderful man, and until this
last attack his mighty intellect seemed
virtually unimpatred:, but he was an
aged man, even when Courtney first
came to him ten years ago, and the
dOmitable Wills as that of my client,
are more or less subject to influence
Mr.. Lowndes, in the prime of his ener
gies, would never have instructed his
entire confidence in a man like Court
ney, even a man of such unusual ex-
perience as Courtney had had.
"Experience?" re-echoed Yorke.
Yes. He'd been private secretary
to an old friend of Mr.. Lowndes, and
had practically. run his tremendous
lied and floated couple of companies
for him before he was twenty-five. 1t
was Courtneys shrewdness and genius
for finance, as well as his seeming in
corruptible integrity. which convinced
Mr.. Lowndes he was just the man for
him. and on the death of his old friend
my client took Courtney as his private
secretary"
Still. all that you say seems to me
TO be very much in Mr.. Courtney's
favor" interjected Yorke. with Il smile
at the lawyers evident jealously of
Peter Lowndes' confident.
DO you mean that il shows IA lack Of
judgment on Mr.. Lowndes' part 10 trust
his affairs in the hands of such a clever
young man.
"A king of finance like Mr. Lowndes
would not. unless undue influence had
been exercised, place such vast trust, AS
the tremendous responsibilities he
heaped upon Courtney indicated, in a
man 50 young, whose integrity had not
been tried and tested for many previous
years. Well, Mr.. YOrke, | shall say no |
more"
Mr.. BradfeId rose and picked up his !
hat and stick.
Il trust" he continued. that you will |
be able to take this matter up for me |
in very few days I'm the meantime |
please tnlnk over Wnat ] nave Saln.
II shall do so. Do not be too sure. !
however. that | shall be able to look |
into this matter for you very soon. The |
case which now occupies me is far more |
than you may imagine. | |
will let you know the earliest oppor- !
tunlty at which can be of service to |
you Everything is unchanged since |
your last visit
"Practically so. I will let you know |
OF any thing which may transpirc. Good |
Mr.. Yorke."
And the pompous little man retired. |
Now. ! suppose the next thing Oh the !
program will be the advent OF the sat !
urnine- faced secretary to tell me of his
suspicious against Bradfield." said |
Yorke To himself, with half smile.
Then his thoughts reverted again to
the present issue, and he glanced ut the
clock. 1t was almost time fer Miss In