Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 54: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

64 Duluth three days before, insured to the limit, and with Peterson himself aboard acting as supercargo. These facts had all happened to come under Bradwell’s notice. Now the statement which Bradwell had just been directed to sign with Peterson’s name was an alleged deposition by the old trader stating that he had been warned by the owners of the Mary Lee that she was in none-too-seaworthy condition and that he therefore took her at his own risk and absolved the owners and their legal representatives of all risk in case of acci- dent. Beside the signature blank was the usual blank for attesting the signature be- fore a notary. Bradwell hesitated for only an instant after reading this statement. Then he walked firmly over to Worden’s desk. “‘ Look here, Worden,” he said, ‘‘ I sup- pose you intend to attest this signature as a notary public.” Worden eyed him keenly for a moment. “Well, what of it?” he evaded. ‘It’s all the same as long as we know the old man dictated the statement and gave us carte blanche to sign his name. It’s just a matter of form.” “It would be more than a matter of form if the ship went down,” Bradwell in- sisted. ‘‘ You know perfectly well this thing wouldn’t hold in court if it were proved the signature was forged, and fur- ther that it isn’t legal to attest a false sig- nature. If I’ve got to do things like this I don’t want the job. This isn’t the first thing I’ve had to do that I don’t like the looks of, now that I look back. You may turn in. my resignation to Mr. Guthrie, and I'll leave at the earliest date we can agree on as fair. You’ve been very friendly and I appreciate it, but I can’t agree to prac- tises like this.” ‘Oh, come now, old man, don’t fly off the handle,” Worden urged. ‘‘ We want you to stay. Mr. Guthrie won’t insist on this if you have scruples, I’m sure. Hand it back and I'll take it up with him.” Despite his attempt at blandness, Worden’s manner hinted at ill-suppressed nervousness and irritability. He went into Guthrie’s room and was closeted there for some time. THE ARGOSY. “ Mr. Guthrie will see you in a little while, Bradwell,” he said, when he came out. ‘ Do you mind running over to the bank now and depositing these checks for me?” Bradwell took the checks and went out, glad of the chance to escape for a moment from this tense atmosphere. As he left the building a newsboy passed him calling: “ Extra! All about the ship- wreck!” Bradwell bought a paper and this scare head-line smote his eyes: SCHOONER AND CREW LOST IN STORM. Deck-hand Sole Survivor. A. J. Peterson, of Bufialo, Owner of Cargo, Lost with Mary Lee on Lake Huron. Bradwell gasped. The damning signifi- cance of the document he had refused to sign smote him full force. They had know- ingly sent Peterson out in a rotten ship. Then, getting advance word of his death over the wire, Guthrie had forged this state- ment to free his clients from responsibility! CHAPTER VIII. ENSNARED. RADWELL’S first impulse was to turn back to the office without completing his errand, denounce Guthrie to his face, and sever his connection with the firm with- out further notice. But he found himself so shaken with disgust and rage that he de- cided to make his trip to the bank first and gain time to pull himself together. He had just passed in the bank-book and bundle of checks at the cashier’s window when some one touched him on the shoul- der. It was Worden. His manner was sinister and when he spoke there was a cold threat in his tones. ‘“‘ You haven’t turned in those checks yet, have you?” he demanded. Then he added to the cashier, whom he saw already had them: ‘‘ We’d like those back, please. We've just discovered at the office that there’s something wrong with one of them.” LAOO = A C@ S (CO