Evening star., 1921-06-07
Continued from Yesterdays starr


They certainly have not" Mr.. Bent
ham declared. They still remaIn-the
property by inheritance of this young
gentleman here-Mr. sydney Barnes.
believe"
His tone was so even, SO expression
less. that it's slightest changes were
noticeable. 1t seemed to Wrayson
that faint note Of sarcasm had crep,
into these last few words. Mr. Barnes
himself. however. was quite obvious
of it, His yellow-staiped fingers were
spread out upon the table. He leaned
over toward the lawyer. His under
lip protruded. his deep-set eyes seem
ed closer than ever together. He was
grimly. tragically in earnest
Look here he said. What can l
do to get hold of EN-? ] don't care
what it is I'm game. I'll deal with
your mantle cash client. IN give
you, commission. see. Five per cent
on all 1 get. How's that? III play
fair. Now chuck away all this mys-
terry What were these securities?
Where shall I start looking for them
Mr.. Bentham regarded him with
stony face.
There are certain points" he said.
upon which I cannot enlighten you
My duty to my client forbids it.
cannot describe to you the nature of
those securities l cannot suggest
that l can say is that they are still to
be found. and that my client is still
a buyer"
The young man turned to Wrayson.
His face was twitching with some
emotion, probably anger.
Did YOU ever hear such bally rot"
he exclaimed He knows all about
these securities all right. They be-
long to me. He ought to be made to
tell
Wrayson shrugged his shoulders.
chase. doesn't it, he remarked.
Cant you tell him a little more. Mr..
Bentham?"
Mr. Bentham sighed. as though his
impotence were a matter of sincere
regret to him.
Barnes he said. sis that he induce
you to aid him in his search. Be
tween you, I should never be sur
prised to hear of your success"
"And why" Wrayson asked, should
you consider me such useful a1ly?"
Mr.. Bentham looked at him stead.
lily for moment.
You appear to me-" he said, ITO
be a young man OF intslllgence-
own counsel I should consider Mr.
Barnes very fortunate if you could
make up your mind to aid him in his
search"
ut is not my affair" wrayson an
pledge myself to enter upon such a
wild goose chase"
Mr.. Bentham turned over some pa
pers which lay upon the table before
him. He had apparently had enough
of the conversation.
you must not call it exactly that
Mr. Wrayson." he said. ''Mr. Barnes
success in his quest would probably
result in an act of justice to society.
To you personally I should imagine
- sytA
What do you mean Wrayson
asked, quickly.
The lawyer looked at him calmly.
ut should solve the mystery of
Morris Barnes murder" he answered.
Wrayson touched his companion or
the shoulder.
Il think that we might as we'll go"
he said. Mr.. Bentham does not mean
to tell US anything more"
Barnes moved slowly toward the
door. but with reluctance manifested
in his sullen face and manner.
ct don't know how I'm going to set
about this job" he said. turning once
more toward the lawyer. shall
do what can. but you haven't seen
fail I shall come back to You"
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
He was already absorbed in other
work.
CHAPTER XVI
wrayson was conscious. from the
moment they left Mr.. Benth1ms Of
| fice, of change in the department
| of the young man who walked by
| his side. A variety of evil passions
| had developed one at least more toll
| erahle-he was learning the lesson
Of seIf-restraint. He did not speak
i <hau vaorhoA TIA rAFnAr NJ fypA
| street.
| Where can We get q drink? he
asked almost abruptly. II want
| some brandy"
! Wrayson took him to bar close
| By They sat in quiet corner.
| II want TO ask you something. he
J said, leaning halfway over tha little
] table hetNeen thsm. HOW mueh do