The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-02-10
CHAPTER Xxx.
A Cruel Weapon.

f~
In the soberly correct offices of
Farnsworth & Heathcote, one of New
York's most solid and reputable law
firms, two persons sat talking.
The honest roses In the cheeks of
Miss Poppy Ordway bloomed glorious
ly. Her raiment whispered silkily
when she moved her splendid shout
ders a bit more comfortably against
the mahogany chair-back.
"And now, Mr.. Farnsworth," she
was saying, can you give me the full
particulars Of that mysterious rob-
bery?"
The eminent lawyers quiet eyes
were taking p~leasurable note of the
woman's beauty, the concise handling
of the discussion in hand.
"As one Of the attorneys for the
estate of James b. Whitby, | think I
am qualified to do So" he stated
gravely.
Then" said Poppy Ordway, open
ing a little red morocco notebook at
a page far to the back, "let us pro
ceed."
Mr.. Farnsworth spread out before
him a set OF papers.
@'First-Standard Copper and Zinc
company, consolidated he read with
out preface, "one of the most conserva-
tive and entirely solvent concerns in
the country. Under the control and
in the hands of Whitby, Halstead,
Witherspoon & Haste.
Suspected of crooked methods.
Twice involved in suits at law, charged
with rate and rebate swindles.
"Second-On the night of June IS,
1899, President Whitby had in his pos
session, for what reason has never
been made known, at his bachelor
apartments at Whitby place, Aredale,
$500, 900 in banknotes of high denomi-
nations. He had sent away his man
for the night and was entirely alone.
"'Third-He was found at nine
o'clock the next morning, in his library,
sitting before a table, several hours
dead. Under his hand lay an unfn-
lshed letter. This letter follows, YER
batim:
Arcade Place,
New York City. New York,
June IS, 1899.
I. James b.. Whitby. president OF the
Standard Copper and Zinc company, Con-
Bolidated, sit down to write what l be-
lieve will be my last word on earth.
Tla .AtHo-A nsrn. t-.o z- -,
man is away for the night. and l am en-
hrely alone in the grip of one Of my re-
current attacks of heart trouble. but my
brain is abnormally clear. 1 brought out
last evening from business 500. 900, for
reasons known to myself-all of 1t In bills
Of high denomination.
At one o'clock this night I looked up to
face a pistol held by a man. a young man
who was unmasked. you may as well
be patient" he said quietly, ''for I intend
having a talk with you"
Then followed hat sufficed' to heat me
INTO the greatest rage of my life-an ac-
susation OF myself, my methods and my
arm, the statistical coldness of which
was the acme OF studied insolence. He
was q young man. almost a boy. just
home from a year In Europe after col
lege.
He had, It appears, found his father a
vi
} partner. and tracing some transaction
TO me. laid II all at my door. He de-
nanded the money I had In my possess
sion-at the point of the pistol!
Shaking with rag I obeyed. and threat
Dned to expose him by daylight. He COOL
~ told me I would not dare because Of
proofs, in his hands. which would states
prison me, n which proofs I positively
know do not exist.
The AFFAIR. I heueva nj this wrif,uO u,S11
sost me my life, 80 vitality did II stir my
anger. and here and now before my
strength fails, let me commend him to
me fullest limit Of the law for punish
mont. He II a. truly my murderer as II
10 had fired his gun. to this I swear. and
his name Is
There" finished the attorney, "the
letter ended. signed only by the hand
" death, leaving the greatest mystery
" the times. There was no trace Of
he young man with the pistol.
There has been found no trace Of
ne immense bundle Of ~banknotes, as
here could be found no record Of their
numbers nor any word Of where Mr..
Nhitby got them. There has been
ound nothing, a. al the world knows.
Eho ostate has employed the best de-
ecfiyo talent of the country to no
There ere no true clues. opin-
- & theories. An are false when
~ iighfnlns rapldity Miss Ord
IA 80 lollowing ~ attorneys
1850