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

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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 knowf' At my first word, the man had turned with a savage oath, jimmy in hand, and I thought for a moment he would spring upon me in spite of the menacing pistol. But he thoughtlbetter of it, for the view down the barrel of a loaded revolver is not an encouraging one, even for a desperate man. He sank back with a quick, indrawn breath through his clenched teeth. 'C Now, lay that jimmy down on the table there , I said, sternly. 'fAnd come here and turn your back to me . Without a word he obeyed, but hiseye-s rolled glaringly. With my revolver at his head I reached into his trousers' pockets and pulled forth in succession two large Smith 81 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 table so that the subdued light of the lamp fell full upon him, while I, took a position with my formidable armament farther awayfrom 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, I seem to have put my foot in it, this timew, he said with a short laugh. H But now you have caught me what are you going to do with men? The tirst 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. I saw a picture of a dingy little court room crowded with officials and with onlookers, and the central figure in the room was the man who sat before me now,-Hermann Barthway,-one of the most skillful and dangerous counterfeitors in the country. For years this man had been a source of worryand 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

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gr l lil r 1 Kali ll if . l I., i 'l li i ll l l A ' -.-...--NQQ.. -i him, SO skillfully did he Cover up his tracks. A day or so ago a counterfeitor's den had been raided and several important captures made so the police had immediately ordered the arrest of Barth- wav on suspicion, though there seemed to be but very little evidence to connect him with this gang. He had been arraigned, however, and the judge had been compelled because of the lack of evidence against him to admit him to bail in a small amount. I thought of the scene of the day before and of the whispered comments that I heard concerning this man who was now so completely in my power, how the Government officials had apprehended him a score of times without being able to fasten any guilt upon him, and that this time they were going to use the most strenuous efforts to secure a con- viction. Then an idea struck me. Here was my opportunity to gain distinction. Why should I not bargain with this man and on condition that he employ me as his attorney in this case, let him go free now? It was a chance of a lifetime. This bade fair to be one of the most notable cases of the year, and even though I lost it, to have been connected with it at all would reflect the greatest credit on me and advance me many steps toward renown in my profession. To be sure, it might be rather doubtful to thus sell a felon his freedom, but pshaw, it was my own affair, and if I chose to let the man off, who would be the wiser? After his first words, delivered in that quiet, deep voice which had so impressed me the day before in the court room, my prisoner sat most quietly in his chair, taking in the details of the room. and at times glancing keenlyi at me as if to fathom what was passing in my mind. Comfortable quarters, these, he remarked finally, continuing his survey of the room. Then he pointed to a set of low book-shelves, on top of which stood some dainty Limoges ware, and added, I don't quite like the idea of placing bric-a-brac in such a place. I don't think those dainty things harmonize or are suitable in a library . - H Never mind what you think , I blurted out, for I must confess he angered me, with his coolness and self-possession under such trying circumstances,-trying enough for me, but how much more so for him. We have rather weightier subjects to discuss just now than the arrangement of my bric-a-brac . Very well, then , returned he, imperturbably. f'If you have no objection, I believe I will have a cigar. I always think and talk