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The Red Seal

Chapter 4 BARBARA ENGAGES COUNSEL

Word Count: 3562    |    Released on: 28/11/2017

stopped to chat with him as he walked down the corridor to his office, and it was fully fifteen minutes before he turned the knob of the door bearing the firm name-ROCHESTER AND KENT, ATTORNEYS-

he asked int

prise. "Mr. Rocheste

am in charge

eased. "I happen to be Mr. Kent

rying to his desk took up a letter. "Mr. Rochester left

f the chairs and tore open the envelope. The note was

some of his cheek this afternoon, so I fired him. I engaged John Sylvester to fill hi

into his pocket and p

t he has engaged you," he

e sheet from the sentence: "To whom it may concern" to the signature, Clark Hil

volunteered as the young lawyer stood regarding the paper.

nd at Kent's smile the clerk's anxious expression vanish

apers in the Hitchcock case, and at

any one called

opened them," Sylvester handed a neatly arranged package to Kent. "Thes

ht. Philip Rochester could not have selected a worse time to absent himself; three important cases were on the calendar for immediate trial and much depended on the firm's successful handling of them. Kent swore softly under his breath; his last warning to Rochester, that he would dissolve their partnership if the older man continued to neglect his practic

site wall when a faint knock sounde

yesterday's correspondence which Mr. Rochester dictated before leaving," Sylvester explain

new clerk rose in his estimation as he read the

announced. "Sit down and I wil

nographic note book and collected the correspo

newspaper from the floor where it had tumbled during Kent's search for some particular

sed a copy when walking through Union Station on his arrival, but had left it in the caf

t of a senatorial wrangle, and was about to turn to the second page,

R DIES IN P

LL, MISTAKEN

ATTACK OF AN

ng the paper in both hands, he devoured the

ading as a bur

cashier of the

rested by Offic

rday morning in

Charles

conducted his

lice Station, a

the police co

ared in perso

the supposed b

gave the name

ter, the well

igned by the co

the evidence

prisoner for tr

u

fter the Judge

,' then sitting

with the attack o

fatally a few

after he had ex

edical assistan

ames Turnbull

l was a native

e late Hon Jos

ing made this ci

ly '90s. Mr. Tu

the rising youn

also prominent

libi, Metropoli

recently was ac

en his ill-healt

rci

n, who was gre

ination to Mr.

the representat

ll gave no hint

terrogated at

nds attribute

o reveal himself

a practical jok

nt excitement of

his wea

survived by a g

tives living.

at the lawyer

Turnbull was his

er, who made h

eas

ted as a burglar in the home of the girl he loved on charges preferred by her, and defended in court by his intimate friend, both of whom were unaware

n much of him after his return from France, for Jimmie's attention to Helen McIntyre had been only second to Kent's devotion to the latter's sister, Barbara. The two men had one bond in common. Colonel McIntyr

r. Frequent quarrels between the two close friends had been the outcome, and Jimmie had confided to Kent, before the latter left on the business trip to Chicago from which he had returned tha

rd Sylvester's knock, and it was not until the clerk

. Kent," he announced.

nly-her

d on his way back to the door. "

f the signs of travel which still clung to him. But he had only opportunity for one dab at his left shoulder before Barbara entered the office. All else forgotten, Kent tos

ester." Her lovely eyes held a glint of mischief as she mentioned Ke

Kent moved his chair closer to the one she had

bolt upright. "Whe

etter out of his pocket and re-read it.

ed at him; s

d Philip

his chair and pressed a buzzer; a second

l you where he was goi

ester stated that

urprise. "Did he leave any messag

, s

did he leave

lock. He gave me a key to the office so that I could get in this

," and the c

turned to Kent. "Have you h

question, but Kent, puzzling over his partner'

rning paper," he answered. "A shocking aff

oking at her Kent saw that her eyes were filled with tears.

rmured fondly. "If there is

way the tears. "There is," she said

e suggested. "The morning paper states very plainly th

lso." Barbara paused and glanced about the office; they ha

hat do you mean, B

aware of dark shadows under her eyes which told plainly of a sleepless night. "

sing. "Do you mean that Jimmie's death was not the r

her head vigo

n police court with dozens of spectators all about?" he asked. "The slightest attempt to kill him would

etorted Barbara. "I was there and saw

ve any one han

d with unmistakable emphasis. "Helen and I do not believe that Jimmie died from natural causes; we think the tragedy should be inves

e rose in indignan

wager with Jimmie, he never would have e

ght about

l burglaries in our neighborhood," Barbara explained, "and when Jimmie scoffed at the dogs, I bet him that he could not break into the house with

g on Jimmie's heart attack, and the next you declare you believe he died through foul play. You," looking at her t

ncontrollable nervousness. "Jimmie was very dear"-she hesitated-"to us. Neither Helen nor

roven," declared

the coroner

twins were certa

e post-mortem from Coroner Penfield," he said gravely. "Unti

e sympathetic," she remarked, and her voice was a

very possible way. My only happiness is in serving you," his voice was very tender. "I slave her

I-I needed you! I-" The rest was lost as she bowed her head against Kent's broad sho

rful scene if he knew I had been here to see you." She picked up her hand

the coroner this afternoon. In the meantime, Babs, can't you tel

to go on," she admitted.

our instinct hazard a guess as to the weapon, the opportunity, and the

onundrums," she suggested. "Don't come to the elevator; Margaret Bre

ntion to her protests as he accompanied her down the corridor

as guilty of a grimace, then hailing the descending elevator she bo

ce he found Sylvester hangin

ompany at once," he said, and before Kent could frame a reply he had darted

ing the hour. "I have my key and can get in when I return if you should

d the fine office building which housed the Metropolis Trust

he bank, finally stopping before a door bearing the name, in modest lettering-BENJAMIN AUGUSTUS CLYMER. The bank president was sensitive on one point; he never permi

ll man lounging with his back to him in one of the leather covered chairs was Barbara's father

k in a satisfactory manner, and I have sent for you to-day to ask your aid in an urgent matter

ly, Mr.

il Kent had complied with his request. "You have h

es

, the vice-president and treasurer of the bank had a careful examination made of his books and accounts." Clymer pause

exclaimed Kent warmly. "Any one who kne

th no friendly eye, but aside from that, took no part in

care a month ago. Mr. Gilmore told Colonel McIntyre that these securities had been given to Jimmie Turnbull last Saturday on his presentation of a letter from McIntyre requesting

paper and exam

"A clear statement in Colonel McIntyr

me Colonel McInt

nd written on my stationery, but it was not w

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