The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-10-14
Copyright By George H. Doran Co.


was a sailor on a British ship which
sailed from Montevideo to Liverpool.
and he became tired of sea work. Mr..
Sidney had seen him about the wharf
and had been attracted to him. They
had talked enough for Mr.. Sidney to
learn of Jed's ambition for a comfort
able life on shore. Mr.. Sidney gave
him the chance to realize 1t In our
house.
lied, after he was taken into the
house, found that Mr.. Sidney used
great precautions with something
which he locked in a box. When Ora.
vada came. he also saw the box which
Mr.. Sidney seemed to guard so care
fully. 'Dravada decided to steal what.
ever was in the box. Jed found him
in the act. They fought. but Jed re-
tanned the contents-Mr. Sidney's man.
uscript."
"Then Jed knows the secret7"
asked.
HE does"
"And Dravada does mott"
"He cannot know any more than you
know from reading this one sheet from
the manuscript"
"Where hs the manuscript"
"Jed has It,"
"Docs Mr.. Sidney know that?"
"Not yet. You have been wondering
at Jed's control in the house. He has
the manuscript. and he knows the
story which for your own sake I would
not have you know. He presumes upon
his knowledge"
But doesn't Mr.. Sidney ever want
to see the manuscript he sets such
store byT I asked.
mo. He wants to know It Is in his
strong box. If he ever finds that it
is not, we shall have to meet the stu.
alton somehow. God knows how"
"Then this sailor and this blackmail-
ing lawyer know no more than I know
nowT
mo more, so far as I am aware"
Brown, the lawyer, came to Hartley
house the next day to see me. l think
he regarded his plan of blackmail as
irresistible. / wonder that he did not
have an express wagon and a large
chest with him. He was amiable and
e%xpectant.
"You have decided?' he said as Jed.
having brought him to me on the porch.
went away. He had his cane and his
gloves and his nap-worn suit.
"You get nothing" l said, "and may
act upon that information"
The disappointment was unpleasant
to him. II I wanted to dramatize the
effect, I'd say it a catastrophe. He
sat down suddenly in the nearest wick
er chair, and his face became ugly In
appearance.
"You must know, DOCTOR" he said
that I nm nerved to the performance
Of my duty by the thought of a wife
and two daughters for whom I have
provided indifferently. l will not say
that their situation is desperate, hut
1t may make me desperate. I feel that
we have a claim here which might cas-.
lily be adjusted"
"You use a number OF euphemisms
for blackmail," I said, land none OF
them conceals your meaning. If your
wife and daughters are in need. you
might approach Mrs. Sidney as the
almoner Of Mr.. Sidney's charities
That. at least. would be an honest
statement of your case, and it might
be effective"
He frightened at once.
II thank you for q lesson In proceed.
ure," he said: ave shall consider II
upon such an understanding"
l saw the mistake I had made.
II ssure you," I said. you may con-
slider nothing upon the terms you wish
to have considered in this house. Your
attempt at blackmail is so. unconsid-
cred that you may go Shrek to the
world or to the prosecuting attorney.
The family is not interested in you or
your client"
The shabby little fellow seemed to
get blue-nosed and blue-lipped in dis.
appointment.
II am sure you cannot have consid.
cred your interests" he said. mfr.
and Mrs. Sidney certainly do not want
a scandal"
Certainly not. How are they threat
ened with One?"
But the manuscript indicates one"
"Does it, l have read it, and I knew
nothing. You have read it. What do
yop know?"
II can read English" he said with
spirit. Il read in Mr.. Sidney's hand
writing that he had committed a crime
and that he was committing an indis-
cretionc in putting the account on
! paper"