The Strange Case of Cavendish

of Enright and Dougherty, sat in his private office on the top floor of the Collander Building in Cortlandt Street waiting for the youth's appearance. Since young

, until, weary of waiting, he decided to get into the game himself and to this end

ng at his watch, and soon the expected visitor was ushered in.

reeted. "Take the chair th

ter room, and gave orders not to be disturbed for the next half-ho

t surprised that you failed to consult me earlier

zed, as he stared into the other's expr

about it, did you? How odd. I thought I informed you of

you to prepare a will-but ther

applied for letters of administration. In view of that, I thought a little chat advisable-yes, quite advisable, since on the night

dn't; this was all

right, "was drawn in prope

efore midnight, and twenty minutes later Frederick was in his apartm

, not pleasant

"It was probably destroyed and it was to gain possess

e bloodless: "My God!" he mutter

was your misfortune. I merely mention these things because I am your friend. Such friendship leads me first to inform you what had happened over the phone. I realised that Frederick's hasty determination to devise his property elsewhere was the re

nds, yet with eyes steadily fixed upon Ca

uld expose me to severe criticism. There is, however, no taint of criminal intent about my conduct and, no doubt, my

already stated that Frederick took the

d, and destroyed. It chances, however, that

sig

hed me in Frederick Cavendish's own handwriting. I believe, from a legal standpoint

the shrinking Cavendish and bringin

ning of his death you quarrelled openly in a public restaurant. Later, in a spirit of friendship, I called you up and said he had made a will practically disinheriting you. Between that time and the next morning he is murdered in his own apartments, his safe rifled,

utterance to no sound. He could but stare into those eye

ticular case I contend that my duty as a man is of more importance than any professional ethics. Frederick Cavendish had this will executed in a moment of anger and devised his estate to a number of charities. I personally believe he was not in normal mind and that the will did not really reflect his purpose. He had no thought of immedi

ll the threat gone, and the youn

l maintain silenc

estate, and consequently feel it only just that the compensation for such services shall be mutually agreed upon. In this case there are many interests to

your

and the sums to be distributed, which amount to more than a million dollars. My silence, my permitting the estate to go to settlement, and my legal

his feet, his hand

amned

be well for you to be careful of your language. I said my services would cost you a hundred thousand dollars. Take the

ered, all courage leaving

our fortunes. A memoranda for legal services due one year from date-such as I have already drawn up-and bearing your signature, will be quite satisfactory. Glanc

ace, he sat staring at the paper, scarcely comprehending its real meaning. In a way it was a confession of guilt, an acknowledgment of his fear of exposure, yet he felt u

rs, he made her an official witness to the

together with the rough notes in his cousin's handwriting, still remained in Enright's possession. Vainly he tried to