The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-09-30

was 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 it in our
house.
JED, 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 secret?" I
asked.
"He does"
And Dravada does not?"
he cannot know any more than you
know from reading this one sheet from
the manuscript"
where is the manuscript"
"Jed has it,"
''DOes Mr.. Sidney know that?"
mot 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 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 by?" asked.
mo. He wants TO know it is in his
strong box. If he ever finds that 1t
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 1 know
nOw?"
mo more, so far as am aware"
Brown, the lawyer, came to Hartley
house the next day to see me. I think
he regarded his plan Of blackmail as
irresistible I wonder that he did not
have an express wagon and large
chest with him. He was amiable and
expectant.
"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" 1 said, land may
act upon that information"
The disappointment was unpleasant
to him. If I wanted to dramatic the
effect, I'd say it was 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 l am nerved 20 the performance
Of my duty by the thought of a wife
and two daughters for whom I have
provided indifferently. 1 will not say
that their situation is desperate, but
it 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.
Il thank you for lesson in proceed.
ure," he said. eve shall consider IL
upon such an understanding
saw the mistake l had made.
II assure yOu," said, you may con-
slider nothing upon the terms you wish
to have considered in this house. Your
attempt at blackmafl 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 bIue-lipped in die
81 am sure you cannot have consi j.
cred your interests he said. "Mr.
and Mrs. Sidney certainly do not want
/ scandal"
"Certainly not. How are they threat q
.ned with one?"
"But the manus cript indicates one"
"Does it? have read it, and I knew
Nothing. You have read it. What do
'Ou knOw?"
81 can read English" he said with
pirit. 81 read in Mr.. Sidney's hand. {
writing that he had committed a crime il
nd that he was committing an indis-
retion in putting the account ON
aper." Z
=