Evening star., 1921-06-06
check for ten thousand pounds!'
Barnes struck the table before him
with his 'clenched fist.

check for. ten thousand pounds!'
Barnes struck the table before him
with his 'clenched fist.
For what" he cried. Historically.
'Ten thousand pounds for what?"
"Your brother" Mr.. Bentham said
calmly. was possessed of securities
which were worth that much or even
more to my client"
1t was the first ray of hope. Barnes
gasped.
it very likely that my client might
make you similar offer"
1t was the firts ray of hope. Barnes
moistened his dry lips with his tongue
and drew a long breath.
"securities% he q. muttered' What
"There. unfortunately" Mr. Bent
ham said, II am unable to hip you.
l am an agent only in the matter
They were securities which my client
was anxious to buy, and your brother
was not unwilling to sell for cash,
they were bringing him in."
But how can I look for them, if I
don't know what they are?" Barnes
protested.
"There are difficulties certainly"
the lawyer admitted, carefully polish
-
silk handkerchief: "but. then. as you
have doubtless surmised. the whole
situation is difficult one"
You can get to know" Barnes ex-
claimed. your client would tell
you"
Mr.. Bentham sighed gently.
"Of course" he said. Il am only
quoting my own opinion. but do not
think that my client would do any
thing of the sort. These securities
happen to be of a somewhat secret ma
ture. Your brother was in position
to make an exceedingly clever use of
them. 1t appears incidentally to have
cost him his life, but there are risks,
Of course. in every profession"
Barnes stared At him with wide
ment. struck dumb. Wrayson, who
had been silent during the greater
part of the conversation turned to-
ward the lawyer.
you believe. them" he asked. shat
Morris Barnes was murdered for the
sake of these securities?"
"I believe-nothing,"t the lawyer an
swered. at is not my business to be-
lieve. Mr.. Morris Barnes was in the
receipt of an income of two thousand
a year, which we might call dividend
upon these securities. My client,
offer to buy them outright. and al
though I must admit that Mr.. Barnes
had not closed with us. yet / believe
| that he was on the point of doing SO
He had doubtless had it brought home
| to him that there was certain
amount of danger associated with his
position generally. The night on
! which my client arrived in England
| was the night upon which Mr.. Morris
Barnes was murdered. The inference to
be drawn from this circumstance / can
| leave. l am sure, to the common
sense of you two gentlemen"
First, them" Wrayson said. 'it
; would appear that he was murdered
| by the people who were paying him
| two thousand a year, and who were
acting in opposition to your CLIENT"
Mr.. Bentham shrugged his shoulder
gently.
TT does not sound unreasonable" he
| admitted.
And, secondly" Wrayson contin-
ued. 'if that was SO. he was probab
robbed of these securities at the same
| time"
| Now that. also" Mr.. Bentham said
smoothly, sounds reasonable. But, as
matter of fact" he continued. look
| ing down upon the table. there are
certain Indications which go to dis.
prove it. My personal opinion is that
| the assassin-granted that there was
an assassin, and granted that he was
acting on behalf of the parties we
nave referred to-met with disap-
pointment."
| I'm plain words" Wrayson inter
rupted. you mean that the other side
have not possessed themselves of the
securities?"
CONTINUED in Tomorrows Star)