"You always had a grand way in money matters. As
I told you before you came out here, it's a poor stake.
The assets consist wholly of this land and this house,
whose quality you have had an excellent opportunity
to test. You have doubtless heard that the country
people believe there is money concealed here,-but I
dare say you have exhausted the possibilities. This is
not the first time a rich man has died leaving precious
little behind him."
"You seem very anxious to get possession of a property
that you call a poor stake," I said. "A few acres
of land, a half-finished house and an uncertain claim
upon a school-teacher!"
"I had no idea you would understand it," he replied.
"The fact that a man may be under oath to perform
the solemn duties imposed upon him by the law would
hardly appeal to you. But I haven't come here to debate
this question. When are you going to leave?"
"Not till I'm ready,-thanks!"
"Mr. Sheriff, will you serve your writ?" he said, and
I looked to Stoddard for any hint from him as to what
I should do.
"I believe Mr. Glenarm is quite willing to hear whatever
the sheriff has to say to him," said Stoddard. He
stepped nearer to me, as though to emphasize the fact
that he belonged to my side of the controversy, and the
sheriff read an order of the Wabana County Circuit
Court directing me, immediately, to deliver the house
and grounds into the keeping of the executor of the
will of the estate of John Marshall Glenarm.
The sheriff rather enjoyed holding the center of the
stage, and I listened quietly to the unfamiliar phraseology.
Before he had quite finished I heard a step in
the hall and Larry appeared at the door, pipe in mouth.
Pickering turned toward him frowning, but Larry paid
not the slightest attention to the executor, leaning
against the door with his usual tranquil unconcern.
"I advise you not to trifle with the law, Glenarm,"
said Pickering angrily. "You have absolutely no right
whatever to be here. And these other gentlemen-your
guests, I suppose-are equally trespassers under the
law."
He stared at Larry, who crossed his legs for greater
ease in adjusting his lean frame to the door.
"Well, Mr. Pickering, what is the next step?" asked
the sheriff, with an importance that had been increased
by the legal phrases he had been reading.
"Mr. Pickering," said Larry, straightening up and
taking the pipe from his mouth, "I'm Mr. Glenarm's
counsel. If you will do me the kindness to ask the
sheriff to retire for a moment I should like to say a
few words to you that you might prefer to keep between
ourselves."
I had usually found it wise to take any cue Larry
threw me, and I said: "Pickering, this is Mr. Donovan, who has every authority
to act for me in the matter."