(I would give much if I could reproduce some hint
of the beauty of that word authorities as it rolled from
Larry's tongue!) "Then, in God's name, do it, you blackguards!"
roared Pickering.
Stoddard, sitting on a table, knocked his heels together
gently. Larry recrossed his legs and blew a
cloud of smoke. Then, after a quarter of a minute in
which he gazed at the ceiling with his quiet blue eyes,
he said: "Yes; certainly, there are always the authorities. And
as I have a tremendous respect for your American institutions
I shall at once act on your suggestion. Mr.
Pickering, the estate is richer than you thought it was.
It holds, or will hold, your notes given to the decedent
for three hundred and twenty thousand dollars."
He drew from his pocket a brown envelope, walked
to where I stood and placed it in my hands.
At the same time Stoddard's big figure grew active,
and before I realized that Pickering had leaped toward
the packet, the executor was sitting in a chair, where the
chaplain had thrown him. He rallied promptly, stuffing
his necktie into his waistcoat; he even laughed a little.
"So much old paper! You gentlemen are perfectly
welcome to it."
"Thank you!" jerked Larry.
"Mr. Glenarm and I had many transactions together,
and he must have forgotten to destroy those papers."
"Quite likely," I remarked. "It is interesting to
know that Sister Theresa wasn't his only debtor."
Pickering stepped to the door and called the sheriff.
"I shall give you until to-morrow morning at nine
o'clock to vacate the premises. The court understands
this situation perfectly. These claims are utterly worthless,
as I am ready to prove."
"Perfectly, perfectly," repeated the sheriff.
"I believe that is all," said Larry, pointing to the
door with his pipe.
The sheriff was regarding him with particular attention.
"What did I understand your name to be?" he demanded.
"Laurance Donovan," Larry replied coolly.
Pickering seemed to notice the name now and his eyes
lighted disagreeably.
"I think I have heard of your friend before," he said,
turning to me. "I congratulate you on the international
reputation of your counsel. He's esteemed so highly in
Ireland that they offer a large reward for his return.
Sheriff, I think we have finished our business for
to-day."
He seemed anxious to get the man away, and we gave
them escort to the outer gate where a horse and buggy
were waiting.
"Now, I'm in for it," said Larry, as I locked the gate.
"We've spiked one of his guns, but I've given him a new
one to use against myself. But come, and I will show
you the Door of Bewilderment before I skip."