My mysterious clients

Contents

L My First Client, \

n. The Mystery of a Diamond Robbery, \ 1

in* The Romance of a Stolen Will, * . 52

I. My First Client

S WAS sitting in my office at the top of the Caneff Block in the city of L., on Christmas Eve^ in the year 1880 * The lamp on my table lighted up the usual surroundings in a young attorney's sanctum — Chitty on Pleadings, Parsons on Contracts, Blackstone, Kent, and all the rest of the old timers looked at me solemnly from the case of legal wisdom, bound in regulation calf* Over the bookcase a full length portrait of Chief Justice Marshall appeared to be holding a silent discussion with Salmon P* Chase, whose noble bust rested on a bracket at the opposite end of the room* Over the mantel, a colored engraving of Dan* Webster reminded me that there was still room on the top shelf* A soft coal fire glowed in the grate, throwing lights and shadows upon the objects in this clientless retreat*

I had been in these quarters for a plumb year, and not a client had entered my door* I

CD had attended court regularly Monday mornings^ and heard the lucky lawyers take orders and decrees, assign their cases, and wondered when the tide would come my way. I arose from my seat, lighted a cigar, and poked the fire. The sudden blaze illuminated the features of old Dan, who looked across the room at Tom Corwin, and seemed to say: '^This thing can^t last much longer.^^ It is a long road that has no turn.^^ A footfall sounded in the corridor; it was evidently directed towards my door. Slowly, surely and weariedly it approached. The door opened, and a tall, plainly dressed and sad looking middle-aged man entered. I am looking for a lawyer,^^ he said. That is my profession, have a seat.^^

He was a Scotchman, with sandy complexion, slightly bald, a Napoleonic lock curling down on his forehead, and the saddest, most woe-begone expression I ever saw, on his face. Grief, care and anxiety were carved on his cheek. His blue eyes were troubled, and appealed pathetically for sympathy. Seating himself in front of the grate, where the light of the fire reflected every play of his features, he commenced : What I am going to tell you will seem strange and almost incredible to you, as it does to me* In our country when a man gets into trouble and beyond his depths he goes to a lawyer* I suppose it is the case here?^^ I said^ my professional instinct awakenings when a man is so far gone that he can do nothing for himself, it then becomes the business of the lawyer to extricate him from his difficulty* Let us have your story from first to last* We will then, as the doctors say, diagnose your case, and look up the remedy *^^

^^To commence at the beginning, I am a native of Scotland, was married ten years ago in Glasgow, and have two children, a boy and a girl* I lived in Glasgow with my family until twelve days ago, when with my wife and two children I left that city and started for this country on the steamer Circassia* We arrived in New York yesterday and took the train west, our destination being St* Louis, where I expect to secure employment as a civil engineer* We arrived in this city this afternoon at about four o^clock* Our train for St* Louis would not leave until six o^clock, and after resting a while with my family in the station, I concluded to take a look around your city; my wife and children preferring to remain there, I started out alone* In a short time it became quite dark, and fearing that the folks would be anxious about me, I returned. Now comes the part of my story that is beyond my understanding. The station is the large covered depot which I learned is at the foot of Main street. When I left this station it was full of passenger trains coming and going, and crowded with travelers. Every thing seemed to be in a hubub. An old gentleman, short, heavy and clean-shaven, excepting short, gray side whiskers, dressed in the uniform of the railroad company, was there giving directions to the people. When I returned, the depot was dark and deserted, not a single passenger-train there, and not a soul in the buildings. I went to the very place where I had left my dear wife and children. It was vacant. Since I was married, I have spent scarcely an evening from my family. You never saw a more devoted family. The shock of not finding them is driving me wild. I went back into the city and inquired the way to the depot from which the St. Louis train would leave, thinking I might, somehow or other, have made a mistake.

** Following the directions given me, I went to the station on Compton street, and found the St. Louis train ready to go, but the depot, the surroundings and the people were entirely different* In place of the covered depot was an open station, and of the old man with the gray whiskers was a young man with dark hair and mustache giving directions* I gave him a description of my family, but no such person had been there* I went back to the covered station and looked it over carefully* I recognized the arched roof, the stairway that led up into the dining-room of a hotel* It seemed as if I could still hear the colored boy standing on the stairway pounding a gong, and saying that supper was now ready, but it was all as deserted as if the cholera had been there* I walked back and forth, hoping every minute to see my wife and children* I pressed my forehead and rubbed my eyes to see if I was not asleep* I wandered through the streets of the city, puzzling my brain to account for this mystery, afraid to tell my story for fear people would think I was not right* I noticed your sign, Charles Bancroft, Attorney-at-La^t on your window, the light from which informed me that you were in, and I determined to come here and get your assistance*^^

Here was a problem that threatened to floor me at the very start* The man was evidently in his right mind, although distracted from the loss of his family. He described the Union Depot as it had been five years before ; but for five years a passenger train had not run into that depot. And yet here was a man whose every lineament bore the impress of a truthful character, insisting that he had come into that station a few hours before on a passenger-train, with his family, and had left his family there, among a crowd of travelers and a bustling, hurrying throng, that I remembered formerly was characteristic of that station. His recollection of the depot waiting-room, the darkey sounding the gong, and other details, attested his honesty and the clearness of his intellect, and yet his statement, I knew, was clearly irreconcilable with the facts. While I was revolving these thoughts, he sat watching me with the plaintive look of a child that is lost and in distress. The problem was too much for me. I resolved to take the usual course of young lawyers under similar circumstances, and associate with me older and more experienced counsel.

Fred Hoffmanns office was at the other end of the hall. Fred was undoubtedly the greatest lawyer in the city. He was a bachelor about fifty years of age, possessed of a magnificent physique. His head sat on his shoulders like

Julius Caesar^s ; his hair once black was now thin and a beautiful gray; broad forehead, classic, clear-cut features, brown eyes with the tenderness of a woman in repose, that blazed like a lion^s when aroused* He had been a newspaper man, lawyer and politician; had represented our district in congress* He seemed to possess almost universal knowledge. History, politics, philosophy, law and literature were on familiar and intimate terms with him* His charity and kindness of heart were equal to his intellect* A child would be as much at home with him as the greatest man in the country, and he would be as much entertained with one as the other* I resolved to retain Fred*

I said to my client, Your case is a novel one and presents some difficulties that are not easy for me to unravel* K you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will consult with a friend of mine, whose office is on this floor, and who, I have no doubt, will find the way to discover your wife and children*^^

As I walked down the hall I could see the light shining through Fredas transom, and thought I would find him there engaged in his favorite game of whist* He was puffing away at his big German pipe and, as I expected, entirely absorbed in a game of whist with three young sprigs of our profession^ great cronies of his and friends of mine* As I entered, Fred spoke to his partner, ** Now you play the Ace and catch Johnnie^s King;^^ and sure enough down fell the Ace and King, Fred having the faculty possessed by only a few of locating the cards after the first three or four hands were played* When the rubber was finished, Johnnie Warner inquired : Charlie, what^s the news ** News ? I can tell you the most wonderful story you ever heard* To start with, I have a client*^^

What ! the entire crowd echoed*

^^Yes, sir; a real, live, able-bodied client*^^ In a moment three young lawyers fell on me with a whoop, and nearly suffocated me, exclaiming, ** What ^s the case ?

** That^s what I came to tell you about, and in the first place I want to retain Fred as associate counsel*^^

^^What do you want to retain Fred for; he has more business than he can attend to ? Why not take some of the young fellows in?^^ inquired David Corlett, Esq*

Well, ril tell you the case is too much for me, and if I had you young fellows with me.

you would only be an incumbrance* I want some one that can assist me^ and I accordingly came to the greatest lawyer in the world*^^

There was not one of us^ excepting Fred^ • but believed I spoke the literal truth, and Fred was vain enough to enjoy that kind of talk*

I told the Scotchman's story as he had told it to me, without leaving out a single detail and wound up with, What do you think of that ? ^^The man must be insane,^^ said Warner* This was the opinion of Corlett and the other attorney whose name was Johnson*

I said, am positive he is not insane* There are certain details that are lacking in his story* The man he describes as being a director at the station I remember well* His name was Halliday* He held that position as long as ten years; but he has been dead several years* His story may be all true and become clear to us by the discovery of some, what may appear to him, unimportant detail*^^ We could see that the old wheel-house Fred called his brain, was getting to work on this new problem*

Bring your man in here and let me cross-examine him*^^ In a few minutes the stranger was seated in Fredas office telling his story*

He seemed to recognize that Fred was the

Moses that would lead him out of the wilderness and directed his entire attention to him. Fred listened to him clear through without interruption, his magnificent forehead resting on as plump and pretty a hand as you ever saw on a woman. When he concluded, Fred looked up and inquired, ^^You did not tell us when you left Glasgow.^^

Twelve days ago.^^

Yes, I know, but I want to be accurate. What day of the month? The 12th of December ?

Yes.''

^^What year?"

At this question we all started. Our hero was commencing to disclose his genius. Fred drew a piece of writing paper towards him and commenced to write.

You think it strange I should ask such a question, but I am in the habit of keeping a record of all my cases and am very particular about the dates and put them down as they are given to me by my clients. Of course I know what the year is, but I want you to give it to me.

The stranger answered without any hesitation, left Glasgow, December 12th, 1875."

My First Client.

The man could scarcely fail to note the look of astonishment that swept over our faces* Fredas face was imperturable when he replied, ^^Of course you left on the Circassia December 1 2th, 1875* Who were the persons who were going to give you work in St* Louis ?

Mr* David Campbell, I used to know in Scotland* His address is 2566 South Erie street*^^

What is your name ?

Walter Allison*^^

** Your wife^s first name ?

""Jeannette*'"

""When you left her you had money, of course, with you ? "

"" No, I left my pocket-book with her*"

As he said this the recollection of his wife suffused his eyes with tears*

Fred arose and walked to a part of the office where there were a pile of newspapers, and running them over until he came to a certain number, looked it over carefully* Suddenly, his face brightened, and he murmured to himself, "" I have it*" He turned a call for a messenger, and sat down and wrote a note which he folded and handed to the Scotchman, and said^ messenger will be here presently and will take you to a hotel where you will be comfortable for the night. Give this note to the clerk and he will take good care of you. You are worn out with anxiety and tramping about the city. I believe I can restore to you your wife and family and make this mystery perfectly clear; but I want you to help me and you can render me the greatest assistance by first securing the rest and sleep that you are desperately in need of. Come to-morrow morning and I am confident that I will have good news for you."

If Fred had been his mother and he a baby^ his words and manner would not have had a happier effect. His face brightened and his whole manner changed.

I will do as you say. I don ^t know how you are going to do it, but I am sure you will give me back my wife and children."

He went away with the messenger boy and we, with one voice, demanded the solution of the mystery.

^^Why, that is easy enough. He crossed the Atlantic in 1875, five years ago. At that time the old Union depot was in full blast, and old man Halliday was the general director of passengers* The last five years are an absolute blank to him* He is sane enough now, but for five years he must have been insane* Listen to this*^^

He then proceeded to read from a newspaper dated December 25, 1875:

The boiler of a locomotive burst in the Union Depot yesterday, killing the engineer and a passenger by the name of Allison, who was traveling with his family on his way from Glasgow, Scotland, to St* Louis* The man was literally tom to pieces and burned so terribly that it was almost impossible to identify him, but his wife was finally satisfied on examining some remnants of the clothes worn by the man that it must have been her husband* Now, is it clear to you ?

** I begin to see daylight,^^ I replied*

** Of course you do* This man, worn out and debilitated with a long trip, his nervous system exhausted, in a strange country, with but little money in his pocket, and his family (who are ^as dear to him as the red drops that visit his sad heartO wholly dependent on him, goes out of the Union Depot for a quiet walk upon the streets of this city* He returns in time to witness an explosion of a locomotive and sees a man blown to pieces* Wearied and exhausted as he was, this spectacle overturned his brain; he rushed from the station a madman, and was in due time taken to the asylum, while his wife in the meantime was persuaded that one of the men killed was her husband* Five years passed away and he escapes from the asylum, and while walking our streets his reason returns to him, and, utterly unconscious of the time that has passed, he repairs to the Union Station, confidently expecting to meet his family*^^

Wonderful ! What is the next move ?

** Oh/^ said Fred, I will send two dispatches to-night, one to David Campbell, St* Louis, inquiring for Jeanette Allison^s address, and one to Bret Harte, American Consul at Glasgow, asking him to get from the postmaster in that city her address* Letters must be sent from them regularly to her, and the postmaster can easily obtain it, and will do so to oblige so influential a person as the American Consul* From one of these persons I am sure to get her address* That secured, I will not be long in restoring this long-divided family*^^

The next morning I was in Fredas office bright and early* Fred was there, and he

My First Client* J5

smiled as though he was listening to the angels singing the Hymn of the Nativity.

^^Any news, Fred ? should say so* I sent that old man Campbell a dispatch giving him all the particulars* It evidently reached him last night and worked him up* Here is his answer*^^

I took the message and read :

St* Louis, December 24, 1880*

Fred Hoffman,

Will arrive in your city at 2 p* m* Will have with me Allison^s wife and two children* They are all well and overjoyed at your message* David Campbell*

I hastened to the hotel to inform Allison of the joyful intelligence* Quietly and gradually I explained to him the conclusion we had come to as a solution of the mystery* He sat for a long time absorbed in silent thought and at length raised his face and said, ^^Your conclusion is undoubtedly correct* God grant that I may not have a recurrence of my madness*^^ I answered him, ^Tt was occasioned not by a disease of your brain, but the shock of a sudden and terrible spectacle* Now that you have recovered, nothing less than another such a shock would probably affect you again/^ That afternoon, at 2 o^cIock, the Scotchman, Fred and four young lawyers were waiting at the Union Depot for the St. Louis train. The train came roaring in, and the passengers commenced to pour out in a regular procession. We scanned the faces as they approached. Suddenly there was a cry, Walter,'^ Jeanette.''

The next minute a rosy-cheeked little woman with flaxen hair was in the arms of our Scotch friend, and a grown up boy and girl were taking possession of him from each side.

THE MYSTERY OF A DIAMOND ROBBERY.

Chapter I

H T six o^cIock on a January evening, in a small flat in the suburbs of London, Mrs. Clarence Hamilton, whose Christian name was Lucy, was busily arranging her dining-room for a quiet dinner party.

This room, like the others in the flat, was quite modest and unpretentious ; the walls were hung with a rose-colored paper, relieved by delicate vines and leaves of gold; a silver lamp swung from the center of the ceiling, suspended by gilded chains; steel engravings, with here and there a bit of oil painting, enlivened the room ; a quaint old clock rested at an elevation in one corner, with its weights and swinging pendulum exposed; a square table, covered with a snowy cloth, was laid for four; a bowl of glittering cut-glass, filled with fresh roses sleeping on a bed of ferns and sparkling with the water that had just been sprinkled upon them, smiled in the midst of an array of gleaming china and polished silver.

The little housewife looked with satisfaction upon the table and the room, and murmured to herself that everything was as complete as her heart could desire.

She had been but six months married, and was thoroughly enjoying the first triumphs of housekeeping.

Her husband, Clarence Hamilton, was the confidential agent of Goldsmith, the wealthy jeweler. He had general charge of the store, held the keys and combination to the safe, carried the jewels that were left for safe-keeping with his master to the ladies, who desired to wear them for an evening, and after the party or the opera returned them to the ponderous safe in his master^s establishment,

Mr, and Mrs, Hamilton expected to entertain John, or, as he was universally known. Jack Diamond, and Miss Jessie Holden, Jack Diamond seemed to have been named for his occupation. He was an expert diamond cutter and skilled jeweler in the employ of Goldsmith,

Jessie Holden was an old school friend and chum of Lucy^s, and affianced to Jack Diamond.

Lucy was short and plump^ with light brown hair^ grey eyes^ round pink face^ that was as animated and changeable as the light waves of the bay under the sun that is crossed by fleecy clouds.

The door-bell rang, and Miss Holden, a tall maiden, with brown hair and eyes, overflowing with life and enthusiasm, rushed into the room, embraced her friend, tore off her wraps, all the while talking like a house afire.

I thought I never would get here. The underground train ran over a dog and was thrown off the track. A detective looking for a burglar examined everyone on the train. I did n^t know but I would have to send a messenger from the Old Bailey to Clarence to come and bail me out. What a lovely tea-table ! My dear, you are an artist, and your home is just perfect. I envy you every time I come here.^^ My dear, you don^t envy me at all. You are simply anticipating the same comforts when you and Jack set up for yourselves. You will be the mistress of just as cozy an establishment as this. You will be busy during the day putting things in order, and Jack will come home at night and smoke and talk about old Goldsmith and the customers, and we will visit and go to the Crystal Palace, and have no end of jolly times*^^

^^What a bright prospect, if we can only make it as pleasant as it looks*^'

^^Ah, there goes the bell, and the boys are here.^^

The boys were there by a considerable of a majority, as the cheeks of the girls attested after the first greeting* Clarence was of medium height, slight build, light haired, fair, quiet and thoughtful* Jack, tall, crisp black curls, black eyes, classic face, buoyant and full of fire and energy*

** What made you so late, my dear ** It is a long story* I will tell you when we get rid of this London dirt* Come, Jack, and I will introduce you to the bath-room*^^

In a short time the young gentlemen had made their ablutions and the little party was seated about the dinner table, Lucy presiding at the side of the silver coffee urn* While the lamb chops and the roast beef and the salads and fruits were disappearing, Clarence proceeded with the events that raised the first cloud on this happy little household.

Stanley Douglas you know is our head bookkeeper and has under me control of the cash. Some days ago my suspicions were aroused by certain peculiar entries in the books. I said nothings but kept a careful eye on the books and the cash and discovered this morning that he had been systematically robbing the concern and covering it up by manipulating the books.^^ ** Mercy exclaimed the girls in one breath. and while I was charging him

with it and demanding an explanation, Goldsmith came in and immediately took in the whole situation. You know what kind of a man old Goldsmith is. I wanted him to defer any action until we could calmly consider the affair from all points. Douglas is the son of Lady Helen Douglas, the daughter of old General Cameron. Her husband always wished that his son should have a business education, and put a peremptory clause in his will to that effect. To carry out this provision of the will he came into our house. A criminal action against him would bring down the wrath of his mother and do more or less injury to the Goldsmith house. She has been scheming to advance her son to my place and seems to have a special dislike to me* I feel it every time I take her her diamonds* But old Goldsmith once aroused would n^t stop for the Queen of England* Against my protest and appeal for him to consider the situation, he sent for the police, had the young man arrested, and we have just returned from the Court, where I was required to make an affidavit charging Douglas with embezzlement*^^

Oh, Clarence ! exclaimed Lucy, and her face assumed the hue of the table cloth* Now, don^t you go to getting scared, my dear,^^ interrupted Jack, ^'Clarence has Goldsmith at his back, a clear case against this little thief, and, above all. Justice and right and the Courts of England will take care of him* If Stanley Douglas has committed a crime he should be punished for it if he is the son of Lady Helen Douglas* I admire old Goldsmith for his promptness and decision*^^

'^That is all very well. Jack, but I am not a going to get rid of Lady Helen without the biggest kind of a tussle* She is the daughter of General Cameron* In his early life he was a smuggler and became a pirate* At the battle of Waterloo he distinguished himself by reckless dare devil bravery and King George

Knighted him and created him Lord of D .

The fact that he was a Lord and she is a Lady does not change her disposition in the least. Her mother was a Spaniard, and she has the piratical Armada blood in her that will stop at nothing. We met her when we were coming from the Justice office. She was in a cab with her attorney, coming no doubt to bail her son. Her face turned purple when she saw me.^^

^^And you have got to meet that monster to-night ?

^^Yes, I am due there with the celebrated diamonds in forty minutes,^^ said Clarence, looking at his watch, and then reaching into his inside pocket, produced a leather case; opened it and held up to the gaze of the ladies a string of glittering stones. They could not restrain an exclamation of delight at the sight of the waving mass of iridescent flashing gems.

** How many are there, Clarence ?

^^One hundred, each one worth Two Hundred Pounds. They are set in tiny little cups attached to what is called the barrel chain, a gold chain, the tiny links of which are delicate little barrels.^^

Rolling up the necklace in some tissue paper he replaced it in the case and in his pocket. Just as the party were arising from the table^ Mary, who was the cook and first and second girl, announced to Clarence that his cab was waiting for him.

You folks amuse yourselves until I return, which will be about 8:20,^^ and Clarence having ensconced himself in his overcoat left the flat and entered his cab.

CHAPTER 11.

The cabman, a trusted man employed for this special business, cracked his whip and started his horses on the route in the direction of the mansion of the Lady Helen. In about twenty minutes the cab drove up to the gates of its destination, which were opened, and the next moment Clarence hurried with a palpitating heart up the broad steps of the mansion. A servant introduced him into a small reception room just off the main hall. After waiting a few moments the Lady Helen appeared in full dress. She was a large woman with a good figure, barring a tendency to stoutness. Silky hair, black as the raven and eyes equally black.

contrasted vividly with a skin white as marble. Her features were regular and of an Italian cast. A tiara of diamonds flashed in her dark hair above her broad, low forehead. A bunch of wood violets rested in the lace that covered her bosom. Her dress was a magnificent combination of silk, satin and embroidery. ^^Good evening, Mr. Hamilton.^^ ^^Good evening. Lady Helen. Here are the diamonds and here is the receipt.^^ Lady Helen took the receipt, sat down to a writing desk and signing it handed it back to Clarence, about as cold and stately as usual. A stranger would not have suspected that she would have taken pleasure in annihilating him where he stood.

** For reasons you will readily understand, I shall return from the opera a little earlier than usual this evening. Please be here at half-past ten.^^ Clarence took his departure and was speedily carried by his faithful cabman back to the little flat, where his friends besieged him with questions as to the manner of My Lady, and finally as to her dress. The only thing Clarence could remember about her dress was the tiara of diamonds and the wood violets.