Luck and Pluck 53

Luck and Pluck 53

Mr. Hall was not surprised at the message he received. He expected that

the widow would be troubled about the claim he had presented, and he

was prepared to listen to entreaties that payment might be postponed.

That his fraud was suspected he did not dream.

 

When Mr. Hall entered the little sitting-room he was somewhat surprised

to see Mr. Bradley, the lawyer; but it occurred to him that Mrs. Berry

in her trouble had applied to him to mediate between them.

 

"Good-evening, Mr. Bradley," he said.

 

"Good-evening, Mr. Hall," said the lawyer, rather coldly.

 

"It is rather cool this evening," said Hall, trying to appear at ease.

 

"I understand," said Mr. Bradley, not appearing to notice this remark,

"that you have a claim against the estate of my late friend, Mr. Berry."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"And the amount is--"

 

"Two thousand dollars," said Hall, promptly.

 

"So I understood. Did you bring the note with you?"

 

Hall opened his pocket-book, and produced the note. The lawyer took it,

and scanned it closely.

 

"Do you know what led Mr. Berry to borrow this amount?" asked the

lawyer.

 

"He wanted to put it into his business."

 

"Did he extend his business then? He might have done it to a

considerable extent with that sum."

 

"No, I believe not," said Hall, hesitating.

 

"But I thought he borrowed the money with that object."

 

"The truth is," said Hall, after a pause, "he was owing parties in

Boston for a considerable portion of his stock, and it was to pay off

this sum that he borrowed the money."

 

"I suppose you are aware, Mr. Hall, that this claim will sweep away

two-thirds of Mr. Berry's estate?"

 

"I am sorry," said Hall, hesitating. "I didn't know but he left more."

 

"Scarcely a thousand dollars will be left to the family. Mrs. Berry

will have a very hard time."

 

"I won't be hard upon her," said Hall. "I don't need all the money now.

I will let half of it, say, stand for a year."

 

"But it will have to be paid finally."

 

"Yes, I suppose I must have my money."

 

"It is rather strange that Mrs. Berry never knew anything of this. Her

husband usually told her of his business affairs."

 

"She thought so," said Mr. Hall, significantly,

 

"Do you mean to imply that he did not?"

 

"It seems that he did not tell her of this."

 

"So it appears, and yet it is a very important matter. By the way, Mr.

Hall, it was very creditable to a young man, like yourself, to have

saved up so considerable an amount of money. Two thousand dollars is

quite a little sum."

 

"I did not save it up,--that is, not all of it," said Hall, perceiving

that this would lead to suspicion. In fact, he was beginning to feel

rather uneasy under the lawyer's questioning.

 

"You did not save it up?"

 

"Not all of it. I received a legacy a little more than two years since

from a relative."

 

"You were fortunate. What was the amount of the legacy?"

 

"Fifteen hundred dollars."

 

"And you loaned all this to Mr. Berry?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"And five hundred dollars more."

 

"Yes."

 

"You never mentioned this legacy at the time."

 

"Only to Mr. Berry."

 

"Where did your relative live, Mr. Hall?"

 

"In Worcester," said Hall, hesitating.

 

"What relative was it?"

 

"My aunt," answered Hall, beginning to feel uncomfortable.

 

"What was her name?"

 

"I don't see why you ask so many questions, Mr. Bradley," said Hall,

beginning to find this catechising embarrassing, especially as he had

to make up the answers on the spot.

 

"Surely you have no objection to answer my question, Mr. Hall?" said

the lawyer, looking fixedly at the young man, who changed color.

 

"It isn't that," said Hall; "but it seems unnecessary."

 

"You must consider, Mr. Hall, that this claim is a very unexpected one.

Mr. Berry never mentioned to any one, so far as I know, that he had

borrowed this money of you. Remember, also, that it will reduce Mrs.

Berry to poverty, and you will not be surprised that we want to know

all the particulars respecting the transaction."

 

"I should think the note ought to be sufficient," said Hall.

 

"True, the note. Let me examine it once more." The lawyer scrutinized

the note, and, raising his eyes, said:--

 

"This note is in Mr. Berry's handwriting, is it?"

 

"Yes."

 

"By the way, Mr. Hall, the interest has been paid on this note at

regular intervals."

 

"Ye--es," said Hall.

 

"How often?"

 

"Every six months," he answered, more boldly.

 

"Ah, then I suppose we shall find corresponding entries on Mr. Berry's

books."

 

"I suppose so," said Hall; but he began to feel very uncomfortable.

 

"So that no interest is due now."

 

"About a month's interest; but never mind about that, I won't say

anything about that," said Hall, magnanimously.

 

"You are very considerate, Mr. Hall," said the lawyer; "but I am sure

Mrs. Berry will not accept this favor. She intends to pay you every

penny she owes you."

 

Mr. Hall brightened up at this intimation. He thought it looked

encouraging.

 

"I don't want to be hard," he said. "I don't care for the trifle of

interest due."

 

"I repeat that Mrs. Berry means to pay every penny that is justly due,

_but not one cent that is not so due_," said the lawyer, emphasizing

the last words.

 

"Of course," said the clerk, nervously; "but why do you say that?"

 

"Do you wish me to tell you, Mr. Hall?" asked Mr. Bradley, fixing his

keen glance upon the young man.

 

"Yes."

 

"Then I will tell you. Because I believe this note which I hold in my

hand _to be a base forgery_."

 

Hall jumped to his feet in dismay.

 

"Do you mean to insult me?" he asked, with quivering lips.

 

"Sit down, Mr. Hall. It is best that this matter should be settled

at once. I have made a charge, and it is only fair that I should

substantiate it, or try to do so. Did you ever see this sheet of paper?"

 

So saying, he produced the crumpled half sheet which John found in the

stove.

 

Mr. Hall turned pale.

 

"I don't know what you mean," he faltered; but there was a look upon

his face which belied his words.

 

"I think you _do_ know, Mr. Hall," said the lawyer. "You must be aware

that forgery is a serious matter."

 

"Give me back the note," said Hall.

 

"Do you admit it to be a forgery?"

 

"I admit nothing."

 

"Mr. Hall, I will hand you the note," said the lawyer, after a slight

pause, "merely reminding you that, if it is what I suppose, the sooner

you destroy it the better."

 

Hall took the note with nervous haste, and thrust it into the flame of

the lamp. In an instant it was consumed.