Beadle's Dime Library No. 628 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

LJ ‘g oe Phenix’s Combine. “Now let me see, Engleburt has authorized , one, it would be much better for Mr, Engleburt vou to attend to the matter?” **He has: I got him to write a letter to that effect.” ‘‘That was correct! There is nothing like proceeding by rule in all such cases,” the detec- tive remarked. ‘*The first point is to ascertain just what there is to the case, andI do not think that | will bea hard matter, for the lawyer is evidently | i | disposed to show his hand,and that is a sure sign he considers he holds winning cards, or else he would not be willing to allow anybody to know what game heis going to play,” said the doctor. ‘* He came with the evident intention of talk- ing the matter over, and young Engleburt made a great mistake in not listening to him; but as be doesn’t possess any more sense than the law allows I do not wonder at his action,” the detec- tive remarked, ‘“‘Tam well-acquainted with Have, as I have been brought in contact with him in a pro- fessional way a half-a-dozen times. ‘* He is a fighter, and does the best he can for his clients, but isa man of sense and one with whom it is easy to do business.” ‘** How would you advise me to proceed?” ‘* See Archibald, Douglass and Douglass first, show them your letter from Engleburt, explain about Have’s visit to the young man, and say that Engleburt and yourself have come to the conclusion that it will not do any harm for you to call upon the lawyer and see just what there is in the case, ‘*T would like to go myself, but as Have knows me it would not do, for if there is any- thing crooked in the affair my appearance would put the parties on their guard; the lawyer | to compromise the matter than to force the _ party to bring suit. | ‘* Unsavory cases of this kind are much better | kept» quit. I suppose Mr, Engleburt under- | Stands the position of our house?” the old gen- tlemar bastened to remark. ‘* Under no con- ' sideration could we have augbt to do with the matter, for it is entirely out of our line.” ‘*T presume he understands it. At all events I will explain the matter to him, if he does not,” Dr. Mairstone replied. Then he took his departure, and went directly to Counselor Have’s office. That legal gentleman was in bis private room, having just arrived, and was looking over the _ morning paper. RSS SS EE —————— ee The doctor came at once to business, ‘* My name is Mairstone, and J am Mr. Mau- rice Engleburt’s confidential man of business,” he announced, ‘*T am very glad to make your acquaintance, Mr, Mairstone,” the lawyer declared, rising and shaking hands with the gentleman in the warm- est Manner. The counselor was favorably impressed by the appearance of the doctor. ‘*Have the kindness to be seated,” and then as Mairstone sat down, the lawyer continued: ‘*This visit is something of a surprise, for the interview which I had Jast night with Mr, Engleburt was of so unsatisfactory a naturs that I did not expect to hear from him except through his lawyers,” ‘*7 presume you are not acquainted with Mr. Maurice Engleburt?” ‘*T never met the gentleman until last night: his father, though, I knew well. A perfect giant of a man, my dear sir, mentally, if not knows me well enough to understand that if I | physically.” became interested in the matter I would do my **In regard to business capabilities, the son best to get to the bottom of it as speedily as pos- | does not take after the father, sible, but you are not known as a bloodhound, and the chances are that even so able a man as Have wi)! not suspect that you have gone in for war right at the beginning,” ‘*T understand: our purpose is to learn all we can in regard to this claim and then set an in- quiry on foot to see what there is in it.” “Exactly!” the detectivé replied. ‘“‘L think from the way the lawyer has begun he is of the opinion he has so strong a case that there will not be any contest when the particulars become known.” . ‘*Yes, Lsee,” the doctor remarked,thoughtfully. ‘‘Our game is to appear willing to agree to a ~ compromise if his case is a strong one.” mm **That isit. Mind you, if there is anything crooked about this mutter it is almost certain that the lawyer does not know anything about it, for if he did he would not touch it. 1 know him well enough to be aware of that. He is not the kind of man to be a party to any swindle, ** Tf the game be a crooked one the conspira- tors have arranged it with so much care that be has been deceived into the belief that it is all right, and being confident in regard to that, he does not fear an investigation.” ‘**T will do my best to learn all the points,” the doctor declared. ** And as the quicker I get at the thing the better, come to the Astor House the moment you get through with thelawyer. I will takea room there under the name of Black, and that little arrangement will bother any shadow if one is placed upon your footsteps.” The doctor said he would come, and then de- parted. ‘“* At last a move is made!’ Joe Phenix declar- ed, exultingly. ‘I have been expecting it and now it comes!” CHAPTER XIIL ’ THE LAWYER’S STATEMENT, As Dr. Mairstone had transacted considerable business with the legal firm that looked after Engleburt’s interests, he knew that he would find one of the partners in the office as early as nine in tbe morning, so at that hour he paid them a visit. As it happened the two senior partners had arrived, and they were amazed when the doctor related the particulars of the lawyer’s visit. It scamsey to be incredible, one declared, but the old head of the firm, the veteran Archi- bald, shook his head gravely; and his opinion, given in the cautious way for which he was noted, was exactly the same as the acute detec- tive’s. -. Counselor Have would not have taken the case if he had not been satisfied that there was something in it. When the doctor announced that it was his intention to call upon the lawyer, for the pur- pose of talking the matter over, the pair ex- pressed their opinion that it was a good idea. “Tf the gentleman bas what he considers to be a strong case he will, undoubtedly, give you the eee for an affair of this kind is ie like a regular lawsuit,” Archibald re- ‘* Such matters are always better settled out- side of'a court, If the woman’s claim is a just a he ’ ; | a Fa ‘* Yes, [ have heard as mych, and judging from my brief and extremely unsatisfactory interview with him last night, | think the report is true, ‘*Of course Iam awarethat I put myself in the way of being snubbed. I have no one to thank for it but myself; it isn’t often, though, that I make such a mistake, and if the case had not been a peculiar one, 1 should not bave troubled myself to go out of my way, but that is what a man gets by doing a good-natured action. “Tt is almost enough to make a man swear that he will never put himself out again for anybody.” ‘* Unfortunately, young Mr, Engleburt is not a business man,” the doctor remarked, “ But as soon as he spoke to me about the matter, IL told him it was my opinion he had made a mis- take in not listening to what you had to say.” ‘*A man never loses anytbing by being a good listener,” the lawyer remarked. ‘*So he put the matter in my hands. You will see by this letter that I have full power.” The lawyer perused the letter which the other tendered him, tben returned it, saying: ‘© Ah, yes, 1 see; well, sir, I am pleased that Mr, Evgleburt bas come to the conclusion to act like a sensible man in this matter, I thought that my reputation as a lawyer in this city was such that when I approacbed a man in regard to a case of this kind he would understand that the visit meant business, but your principal seemed to have got the idea into his head that I was a common pettifogger, to whom a hundred dollars would seem to be a fortune.” ‘*f understand your position, Mr. Have, and when Mr, Engleburt told me the nature of your communication, I informed him immediately that it was my opinion he would make a great mistake if he did not discuss the matter with you, and settle the affair without going to the trouble of a suit.” “That was my idea,” the lawyer replied. ‘But the moment I explained my business I could see that Mr. Engleburt had got the idea that I was a common sort of a rascal who had come with the expectation of being able to bulldose him out of a few dirty dollars!” and the counselor’s voice was full of indignation as he spoke, ** As I explained to you, Mr, Engleburt is no business man, or he never would have been uilty of making such a mistake!” the doctor eclared. ‘*T understand your position; I know that a man of your reputation would not take a case of this kind without feeling sure that there was merit in it.” ‘* Exactly! and the sole reason why I waited upon Mr, Engleburt was to save trouble. I thought that the young man would prefer to seep the matter quiet, and not allow the world at large to know that bis father had become infatuated with a poor girl in his old age.” ‘“*He jumped at once to the conclusion that there wasn’t any truth in the story.” “* Tf he had had the patience to listen to the tale I think I could have convinced kim to the contrary!” the lawyer declared, ‘* Well, [am bere for, the purpose of looking into the matter,” the doctor rémarked. “That is what T want!” the lawyer de- clared. ‘*Tbisisa Celicate matter and, in my f A ” ; i 4 - * ' a ; + as) hs j ; ’ , 4, * y +": th ‘ile rm OT ty DO opinion, should be settled outside of a law court,” ‘* Tf the woman’s claim is just—if she is the widow of Abraham Engleburt, most decidedly then some arrangement ought to be made,” Mairstone said in a very decided way. ‘‘My dear sir, I am glad to see that you take this view of the matter,” the counselor re- marked, rubbing his hands together softly, a way he bad when he was pleased, ‘** Holding this opinion renders it possible for me to talk to you in the freest and frankest man- ner,” the lawyer continued, “That is what I want and you can depend upon my being equally as frank with you,” ‘Tam aware that in all cases of this kind— where after the death of a very wealthy man a woman appears who claims to be secretly mar- ried to him, it is but natural that such a state- ment should be regarded with suspicion, In fact, I do not think I exaggerate when J say that in nine cases out of ten the woman is a fraud and the story a bare-faced lie got up for the express purpose of extorting money from the heirs of the dead man.” ‘*' Yes, I should judge from what I have beard of such matters that your statement is correct,” ‘* Long experience satisfies me that it is, but because nine are impostors it does not follow that the tenth is also a fraud.” ‘*The probabilities are against it.” ** Now, in this case, as soon it was brought to my notice, I assumed a wise look. ‘Oh no,’ I exclaimed, ‘not for Joe! I understand all about little games of this kind and you will have to excuse me from taking a hand.’” ‘*T do not wonder at your incredulity!” the doctor exclaimed, ‘‘But the party was persistent and urged me at least to look into the matter. If I was not satisfied that everything was square, and above-board, I need not take the case. Thus persuaded, I listened to the tale, which though odd was not improbable. ‘*The inypression made was a favorable one, I took pains to personally examine the claim- ant and all her witnesses, and if she has not got a strong case then my judgmentas a lawyer is worthless,” ‘** No one that knows you could to that conclusion, Mr. Have!” stone exclaimed. ‘*Much obliged to you, sir, for your good opinion,” responded the lawyer with a courtly bow, ‘* Now I feel so sure of my bolt in this case that 1 am going to relate all the particulars to you—give you a chance to examine the claimant, and her witnesses, just as 1 did, and when you get through with your examination if you are not satisfied that it is a case which ought to be settled outside of a court-room then either your judgment or mine is at fault.” ‘‘T shall be pleased to look into the matter,” the doctor remarked, ‘First we will take up the lady’s story,” and as the lawyer spoke he went to his safe and pro- duced a large envelope containing some folded papers which had an extremely legal look. e selected one, unfolded it and began: “The maiden name of the plaintiff is Martha Green, born in London, England in 1865, so she is now a little over twenty years old. Came to this country about eight months ago, expecting to get a situation as governess, Was unsuccess- ful, and in a couple of months, her money being exhausted, she was reduced toa state of despair, and went forth one evening with tbe firm in- tention of throwing herself into the river. ‘‘She came to Broadway, it was almost ten o’clock at night, ‘‘ A gentleman, a little way in the advance of her, pulled a letter from his pocket in taking out a new ossibly come octor Mair- r. = The lady saw it fall, securedit, and overtak- , ing the gentleman informed him of his loss, ‘The letter was a most important business document and he declared he would not have been willing to have lost it for a thousand dol- la rs. “Then, noticing that the lady was poorly dressed he asked her if she would be offended if he tendered her a reward, ‘‘The ideaof taking money fur sucha simple service was repugnant to her, particularly as she jomped to the conclusion that it was tender- ed more out of charity, on account of her soa rather sbabbily dressed—she had been oblig to pawn everything upon which she could raise any money—than because the gentleman thought the act was worthy of a reward. ‘“‘She replied that she would rather not take anything, and then with that inspiration born of genius, which often comes odie be nee women, she added that as she needed a ment badly she would be deeply thankful if the gentleman could aid her to obtain any honest work whereby she could keep body and soul to- gether. ‘The stranger replied that he would be verr glad indeed to be of assistance, and pressed her to relate to bim bow it was that she came to be ip so bad a plight. } ‘So the two walked on together while Mis Green told her story. “comic 59) Qoob 8 A - 900K) 5:cO