University of Michigan Law School - Quad Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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friends I had done some very hard and earnest Work, and work that had brought me compliments from all sides, for the thorough- ness and care I had shown. But still success seemed as far from me as it had some three years ago when with such high hopes and ambitions I had hung up my Shingle- As I sat thus dreamily watching the wreck of the dying fire and brooding, over my lack of success, I was startled by a muffled scratching sound at the back part of the house. From my chair I could look through the daintily furnished library, wrapped now in intense gloom, into the pretty little dining-room in which my wife took such great pride. 'At nrst I could see nothing, though I strove with straining eyes to penetrate the blackness. Then quickly there came a momentary Hash of light that shone for a moment on the plate and the cut glass of the sideboard, and all was darkness again. Burglars, and they're after the silver , I thought to myself. Rising, I stepped to a little table which stood near by, my slippered feet making no noise on the thickly carpeted floor. I opened a drawer and drew therefrom a small revolver. I always keep one handy, for my wife is somewhat timid. Then I swiftly but noise- lessly made my way through the gloom of the library to the dining- room door. On the-sideboard stood a dark lantern, its rays turned so as to shine full upon the lock of the silver closet above. A powerfully builtman stood with his brawny back turned toward me, prying at the lock with a dangerous looking jimmy. As he worked, I could see the reflection of his features in the mirror of the door. It was not a bad face, clear, deep set, penetrating gray eyes, looking out from beneath shaggy eyebrows, a large nose. firm mouth shaded by an enormous, but well cared for moustache. and iiowing side whiskers, all would have given him the appearance of a well-to-do Englishman, had it not been for the slouch hat that was pushed back from his forehead, and the fierce, determined, almost murderous glare of his eyes as he worked at the lock. So intent was he upon his task that he did not observe me and in a moment the l disclosin Ock gavelway with a slight noise and the door swung open, 8 in the rays of the lantern my wife's dearly-prized silver. For an instant the man gazed at the heavily-laden shelves of the CuPbO21rCl and then he reached in. I.think that 'll d full on the burl W1 OU, I said quietly, pointing 111yl'CYOlVC1' Y f0Y1T1 of the burglar. My wife permits any one

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mv Zlient, mr. Bartbwav HY XVADE NVARREN 'Ql.'I-IAYER I-IE FIRE was burning low in the grate and objects in the room were becoming more and ll ll l Will 3 l more indistinct, as the glowing coals slowly lost MM 5 S their brilliant color and began to glaze over lm il i HH with a thin gray ash. One single piece of coal I ll l' remained unconsumed. It was a sturdy little thing, deprived of the support of its comrades long passed away in smoke, it had leaned up against the front bars of the grate and was now bravely burning and snapping, sending out merry little jets of flame which cast weird, transient shadows about the room. I had been restless and uneasy that night, and after an ineffectual attempt to go to sleep, I had risen and, throwing a dressing gown over my pyjamas, had gone down stairs to sit by the fire and smoke- a pipe. My thoughts were far from cheerful as I sat gazing fixedly at the glowing embers. Some people might have wondered what it was that made me so discontented and moody. I was rich, very rich in fact, was happily married and settled in one of the pleasantest of our large cities. But among my roses there was one thorn which was a source of great chagrin to me. I was a lawyer by profession, but in spite of my enthusiastic devotion to my work, I had not been a success. To be sure, I had picked up numerous little odd jobs and small affairs which influential friends turned 'over to me, but I was ambitious and yearned for higher things,-for a real case in which I might have a chance to show my abilities,-for up to this time, during the two or three years of my practice, I had never had a real case. I was loath to believe that it was lackhof ability or energy on my own part, for I had been devoted to my profession, and in the few little cases in which I had been employed by my i 1 I fl ,,,,,.iJ

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who wishes to gaze to satiety upon her silver, but she does not like to have it handled: it leaves marks, you know. At my lirst word, the man had turned with a savage oath, jimmy in hand, and l thought for a moment he would spring upon me in spite of the menacing pistol. But he thought better of it, for the view down the barrel of a loaded revolver is not an encouraging one, even for a desperate man. I-Ie sank back with a quick, indrawn breath through his clenched teeth. 4' Now, lay that jimmy down on the table there , I said, sternly. 'And come here and turn your back to me . ' Without a word he obeyed, but his eyes rolled glaringly. With my revolver at his head I reached into his trousers' pockets and pulled forth in succession two large Smith 8z'Wessons. Then I marched my man before me into the library, after first lighting up the room by touching the electric button of the study lamp. I seated him in a chair beside the library tablet so that the subdued light of the lamp fell full upon him, whileiI took a position with my formidable armament farther away from the circle of light. Up to this time my burglar had not uttered a word, except a growl of protest when I relieved him of his revolvers. I extracted the shells from one of the guns and laid it away in a drawer, then I placed the other in the capacious pocket of my dressing gown, in the meanwhile keeping my own trusty weapon in my hand ready for immediate use. My prisoner had been eyeing me closely all the time and finally he broke the silence. Well, seem to have put my foot in it, this time , he said with a short laugh. H But now you have caught me what are you going to do with me H? . The first sound of his voice so startled me that I forgot to answer his question, it was such a deep, rich, melodious voice, and somehow it sounded very familiar to me. Suddenly, it flashed over me where I had heard that voice before. Isaw a picture of a dingy little court room crowded with officials and with onlookers, and the central ngure in the room 'was the man who sat before me now,-I-Iermann Barthway,-one of the most skillful and dangerous counterfeitors in the country. For years this man had been a source of worry and annoyance to the Government, he had been arrested any number of times for complicity in counterfeiting schemes, but- never could any direct evidence be found against I4