Evening star., 1921-05-28

!"It depends entirely upon yourself
Will you permit me to put my case
before you?
BY all MEANS. Wrayson answered
Go ahead"
Mr. Bentham took the chair toward
which wrayson had somewhat i'm
patiently pointed. and unbuttoned his
coat. 1t was obvious that he was not
a person to be hurried
I'm the first place. Mr. Wrayson." he
said. Il must ask you distinctly to
understand that ! am not addressing
you on my own account. Lam law
| yer. and | am acting on Behalf of Il
client"
! Who is he? Wrayson asked What
is his name
The ghost of a smile f1ickered across
the lawyers thin lips.
II am not at liberty to diyulee his
identity" he answered. Il am. how
ever, fully empowered to act for him -
! Wrayson shrugged his shoulders.
He may find it necessary to disclose
it. and before very long he re-
marked. well. go on"
Mr. Bentham dscreetly ignored the
covert threat in Wrayson's words.
my mission to YOU. Mr.. Wrayson."
he declared. lis somewhat delicate
one. 1t is not. in fact. connected with
the actual-tragedy to which you
have alluded. My commission is to
regain possession of paper which
was Stolen either from the person of
MOTIFS barnes or from amongst hi:
effects on that night
WraySon looked up eagerly.
THE motive at last" he exclaimed
What was the nature of this paper,
Sir?"
Mr. Bentham's eyebrows were
slowly raised.
That" he said. I'VE need not enter
into for the moment. The matter of
business between you and myself, or
rather my client. is this. am author
,r< fN NfTn
for it's recovery"
Wrayson was impressed. although
the others manner left him a little
puzzled
discovery of the murderer he asked.
1T would come. | presume. to the
same thing"
by no means" the lawyer answered
dryly. Il am afraid that ] have not
expressed myself well. My client
or alive. His interest begins and
ends with the recovery Of that paper"
But isn't it almost certain" Wray-
son persisted. that the thief and the
client ought to have come forward at
| the inquest. The thing which has
chiefly troubled the police in dealing
with this matter is the apparent lack
| Of motive"
| MY client is not actuated in any
way by philanthropic motives" Mr..
Bentham said coldly. ITO tell you
the truth. he does not care whether
the murderer of Morris Barnes is
brought to justice or not. He i. only
anxious to recover possession of the
document of which have spoken"
'If he has a legal claim to it.
| WraySon said. he had better offer his
! reward openly. He would probably
| help himself then. and also those who
are anxious to have this mystery
| solved"
| Are you amongst those Mr.. Wray
| SOM" his visitor asked quietly.
! Wrayson started slightly but he
| retained his self-composure.
| II am very much amongst them"
| he answered. My connection with
/ the affair was extremely un-
pleasant one. and il will remain 50
| until the murderer of Morris Barnes
| is brought to book"
! 'Or murderess." MIR. Bentham mur-
mered softly.
| Wrayson reeled in his chair as
! though he had been struck violent
and unexpected blow. He under
stood now the guarded menace of
! his visitors manner. He felt the
mans eyes taking merciless note of
his whitening cheeks.
| My client" the lawyer continued.
| desires to ask no questions. All
! that he wants is the document to
stolen on the night when Mr.. Morris
dent
! Wrayson had pulled himself II =
| gether with an effort.
| Il presume" he said. from your
| frequent reiteration. that ! may take
| this as being to some extent a per-