Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-08-26
CHAPTER NJ.

CHAPTER XI.
On the morning OF the third day
after Eliot Vinton's second interview
with Irwin Stage, the SINISTER for
once true to a promise. summoned q
messenger boy and sent the old ship
owner a communication of the very
highest import. Reaching the old
gentleman just as he was arriving at
his office, the message engulfed him
in such a flood of JOY that he forgot
his rigorous principles to TIE extent
or giving the boy a dime. Thereafter
he shut himself up in his private
room and reread the note four or
i've times, laughins with malice and
exultation.
Finally. more excited than he ever
remembered having been. he departed
on foot for Pemberten Square. On
the way he stopped 1t the Interstate
Trust Company and drew two thou
sand dollars in hundred dollar bills.
The note said:
My Dear Mr.. ,Vinton:
take pleasure in informing you
succeeded in obtaining facts OF vital
Importance. They are conclusive and
irrefutable. I need say no more
j hesitate about sendins: YOU n
written report, lest it might r,iscarry:
but If you Will do me the honor of
calling, at your convenience, / shall
be very glad to put into solr hands
an affidavit of the very Creates VAL
ue.
Sincerely yours,
I. S
Pemberton Square the law ghost
greeted him with a. jubliation he
could not conceal. already h; felt the
touch of the shipmatsrs fee-and
fees were the breath of life 10 Staggs
He offered his hand to his aristo-
cratic client, who in this .;lad mo-
ment unbent sufficiently to take it.
Then. when both men were seated. he
unlocked his desk drawer, took nft
q Ions manila envelope, carefully
sealed. and handed it over with leer
OF triumph.
There, sir; read that" said he;
ion of the kind IF service am in q
position to offer anybody who wants
irrefutabie facts secured by delicate
and difficult, investisa tons. Facts,
sir. as l have told you before, are nay
strong pointl"
ob1ividus to StagS's flow of YER
biage, Vinton had already ripped the
envelope with an unsteady forefih-
ger. His eyes, blinking with eager
ness, leaped along the lines Of the
typewriter affidavit that he held in
his shaking hands. Twice thru he
read the document, then r,eered at
Stagg from beneath his heavy, win
king eyebrows. and once more stud
led the paper, as if to let its full sig
nificance penetrate his mind.
"How's that, sir?" demanded the
,shyster, smiling unpleasantly.
Couldn't beat it. could you?"
Extraordinary" Vinton -exclaim-
ed. "Incredible You are quite, posi-
tive it is correct?"
Absolutely positiye,"
"can, it all be proved?''
1T can never be disproved. Mr..
Vinton."
Hmm! There can be no possible
loop hole of evasion? No suspicion
of doubt?"
None whatever" the law ghost
assured him. Its all a matter of
record. If you want me to take you
over to police headquarters and show
you--''
No. no. that will not be neces-
sary," answered vinton. 81 prefer not
to be seen there. 1t is quite, genuine,
am convinced"
Glad you think so, Mr.. Vinton,"
said Stage, blinking. ut was hard
enough to get, and cost money. In
the first place | had to-"
II am not interested in details" in
terrupted the shipmaster, raising his
lean hand. All care for isI results"
Well, sir'-the shyster leaned back
with obese complacency-T fIatter
myself this result is rather neat. 1
pride myself on such results, sir, and
on facts. I'm strong for facts, very
strong! In this case. just rs in the
matter Of that Ship owners Liability
Bill"
Your honorarium." interrupted
Eliot Vinton. disturbed by this refer
ence, has been we'll earned" He re-
moved his 'pince-nez' and tapped the
paper as he sq,linted at the disharred
lawyer. II have brought the fee with
me, and am prepared to settle the
account"
Once more he produced the familiar
pocketbook, source of such joy to
ffa 1<ay OH oh
difference, waved his hand but. he
could not hide the glitter .of those
money-lusting eyes.
Just as you like, Mr. Vinton," said
he. "Just as you like! Your word is
as good as your bond. OF course, in
matter Of dollars and cents, it's al
ways we'll to keep things square, and
If it's no Inconvenience to you"
Vfnton laid two thousand dollars
on Stages desk. The shyster counted
1t with a hand which he could not
Keep from trembling little, nodded.
wrote out receipt for all services
in full to date, and handed it to the
shipmaster, who stood up, with a
hard smile on his thin, shaven lips
I'm sure everything will be salts
factorily adjusted now, without the
least difficulty proffered s;tagg with
q smirk.
No doubt" answered Vinton cold
~. Il need know only one thing more.
When and where can l see this-this
person. with the absolute assurance
that my son will neither be present
nor arrive inopportunely to interrupt
the interview 81
We'll, you'll catch her about five
o'clock this afternoon" said the law
ghost. as he scratched his chin. the
bristles making an audible crepita-
ton.
And where?"
"At her house, No. 90 Oldham
Street, East Boston. Your son won't
be there that's nnsitiYe Thai inh