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

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best when undcr the influence of the fragrant weed . I-Ie helped himself from a box of my favorite I-Iavanas which stood on the table, and then actually the fellow had the impudence to pass the box to me and to urge me to smoke one of my own cigars! 'f'l'hanks, I don't believe Illl smoke , I said, brusquely and with some sharpness, for really his presumption and assurance were becoming too much for me and I was rapidly losing my temper, Then I added, as he lighted his cigar and leaned back comfortably in his chair, 'fIt seems to me, you take matters rather coolly considering the situation. I should think, after that affair of yes- terday-- f'AfIair of yesterday? What do you mean ? he hissed, starting forward in his chair, his self-possession completely gone and his eyes taking on that murderous glare which they had worn when I sur rised him at the silver. One look into my revolverwas enough, P however, and he subsided immediately, regaining his calmness and assurance almost as quickly as he had lost them. Then, with an attempt to laugh it off, he said, W hat further crimes have you 77? ll h t' ou know to what I referred H, I caught me in, pray . Oh, I see very we t a y r the moment that he gave vent to that outbreak, answered, calmly, fo gg I knew that I was master of the situation. ,'fWhat is the use, Mr. Barthway, of trying to conceal your identity? I was present in ' ' ' ou see I the court room yesterday when you were examined, so y So it seems , he said, with all of his old nonchalance, as he cession of curling smoke- know you . leaned back in his chair and blew a suc rings ceilingward. And what next? I begof you not to ring for D the police until I have finished my cigar. I never was very fond of smoking in the open air, a And then a seat in the patrol wagon is notfer-the most pleasant nd I am really very comfortable here. way of taking an airing, anyway . He shrugged his shoulders expressively. ffVery well , I returned, H and I will trouble you to pass me h m ,mind and smoke that box of cigars, as I think I will c ange y with ou . I was determined that I would be as cool and col- Y flected as he was himself and I knew that a cigar would soothe my nerves, which by this time were in a sad state, for I was unused to such a situation, while I suppose he had been in worse plight many T

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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

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i Mali.. Har! ,Q il 421 . fi ii 5? T fir ,. ieif, 4 'iifai iq l I if if Y 1 5 i I 2 2 ,-,. 4 QF 'E r i P 1 5 V i it I 1: l I 7 I ,gli 'Ni' 2.5: .l I, l Kyra, I times during his checkered career. We sat there facing each other D me moments, while each puffed thoughtfully the first to break the silence. without a word for so at his cigar. He W-215 ffWell as I said before , he remarked. You've got me, 7 Nvhat do yOu propose to do with me ? crrfha-1115 just the question that I have been debating in my 11 O NV own mind , I returned, thoughtfully. I HI could easily hand you Over to the authorities, for there isa police call in that cupboard over that bric-a-brac of which you spoke so disparagingly. I have only to turn the knob and the police will be here in two minutes. But on the other hand where is the use of that ? You haven't stolen anything, and it would only add to the punishment you would get for that counterfeiting affair . y ff Oh, as to that , he interrupted with a smiling wave of his hand, 'fyou need have no scruples. Those block-heads on the police force think that they have me in the toils. But they are mistaken, for they can find absolutely no proof against me . I-sat for a moment or so in thought, and then as though a sud- den idea had struck me I said: ff See here, I have a plan to pro- pose to you. As you have observed U,-with a gesture towards the luxurious appointments of the library,- I have plenty of money and a nice enough establishment, but I am a lawyer and it has always been my ambition to attainifame in that profession. Thus far, though I have a lucrative practice, I have never had a case worth mentioning. To come to the point, I will let you go scot free if you will agree to engage me as attorney in this counterfeit- ing case . - My companion puffed his cigar in silence for a moment or so, then he looked up with a peculiarly cunning expression on his face. ff But why do you wish me to employ you in this counterfeit- ing affair when, as I have assured you, there is no possibility of their being able to implicate me . 'fBecause I don't agree with you as to that. I know that the government looks upon you as a most dangerous counterfeitor, and I know that they intend to make determined efforts to secure your conviction. Therefore the case is bound to be one which will be in the public eye, and I wish to be connected with it . So you think I shall be convicted H. H NO, 011 the contrary, I think I can pull you through H.