Show rieb eleb VIII I 1 k CHAPTER CHAITER 1 I A LAWYER AND HIS CLIENT san francisco with its ita one hundred and seventy thousand inhabitants ewon eaon contains perhaps chaps moro more material for the novelist than most cities of three or four times its size and consequently is a very tempting field neld for a romancer but there is no intention in the tile present instance to attempt a sensational story as the incidents to be narrated are founded on facts and though they may be regarded in more than one particular as oc of singular and stirring interest they only in truth unveil a phase chase of actual life there is aslin a simple simpie lo 10 tale to be told without any elanora elaboration ilon hion of fancy or sensational coloring and the only thing fictitious about it is the substitution for obvious reasons of spurious names otherwise it is literal in street at the time of this story the door way or of a large building was well lined with professional sign plates on one of which was painted in gold letters A mareus marcus arwell attorney at law room boom 8 11 ascending the stairs to the upper noor door room 8 was discovered at the end of a long passageway having so imperfect a light as is to render it difficult to read the door numbers this might not have been the case in clear weather but on a dull cloudy day such as the one which must introduce the reader to the place the semi bemi darkness was not only disagreeable but bumm buff sufficient lelent to test the strongest eyesight the bells of the city were ringing the hour of noon when a man after reading the sign plates mounted the stairs and slowly walked along the dark passage after getting about half way he halted and taking a box of matches from his pocket struck a light by the assistance of which ho he examined the doors on both sides and then proceeded some steps further on D n it he at last exclaimed again halting this must be the room 11 without the ceremony of knocking ho he opened a door and entered and immediately confronted a face within two inches of his own which belonged to a gentleman who apparently was on the point of leaving the room Is your name marcus arwell the visitor abruptly enquired me replied the other commencing to rub his hands and assuming an insinuating smile glad to place my services at your disposal sir pr pray aa take a seat my time is yours the speaker belonged to that class of persons whose age defies discovery he might have been only thirty five or just as likely full fall on to fifty whether the wrinkles on his face were the growth of years of dissipation or of passion no one could determine and it was equally difficult to decide whether his glossy black hair owed its color to nature or artificial dye leaving those points unsettled his complexion was sallow his face clean shaved with the exception of a small moustache and lie he wore glasses the expression of Ms his eyes was the most noticeable feature of his face it was wavering sinister and suspicious and his lips and chin confirmed the bad opinion which his eyes suggested of his character marcus arwell well weli might have been a shrewd lawyer I 1 but his physiognomy stamped him alike mercenary unscrupulous and treacherous his visitor was precisely of the same type of humanity with however a marked advantage of eye his gaze was steady and evidence courage and determination but his mouth was sensual and cruel lle lie his is age must have been about forty and his appearance so far as dress dres went was quietly respectable whatever might have been the purpose of his visit there could not well arise any difficulty of agreement between two men so similarly constituted and whose principles and opinions so evidently harmonized this was exin aeh ach what the result proved T e visitor took a seat as requested and 10 lawyer lawser quickly placed himself his professional chair more firmly adjusting his glasses the while at 1 I have heard of you youma aar dir arwell it his visitor said and my object in calling is to consult you professionally 1 I am quite at your service sir was the sententious reply 1 I am glad to hear hoar it you act in divorce matters do you not mr arwell hesitated and aud it was evident that he be wished before replying 0 to o gain some direct information respecting the nature of the business referred to it might be to his advantage to answer in tle the affirmative or it might serve his purpose to deny all complicity in any such practice like a cautious man mache he desired to see his way clear before himself well sir he guardedly replied the term divorce matters has such a wide application that I 1 hardly know how to answer your question if you will please explain yourself more fully fill 31 I 1 shall doubtless understand you better why confound it itt man the other brusquely exclaimed what is there to explain the question is simple enough for a stockton lunatic to answer do you undertake divorce cases if so I 1 may have call for your services if not there is no d n use to pu put t a fee in n your way I 1 I 1 it was clear to mr nir arwell that he had an irascible person to deal with who however had a decided temper of his own that was not to be trifled trilled with still he judged a little more equivocation would be most prudent before coming to the point assuming the part of interrogator lie he briefly asked do you callon ealion call eail on me on your own behalf most assuredly was the reply think you that I 1 would be such a cursed fool as to medd lein another mans domestic affairs has any other lawyer been consulted in the matter mr lir arwell next asked paying no attention to his visitors enquiry thunder blunder no I 1 say I 1 had heard of vou you and and wished your advice you flatter me sir or the thie lawyer rejoined with a smile and without questioning you further for the present I 1 shall be happy to undertake any business with which you may be pleased to entrust me have you any objection to tell me your name it was now the visitors turn to show caution and apparently lie he began to see more than ever that lie had a crafty practitioner to deal with but ho he was not the man to be led by the nose against his will and looking the lawyer boldly in the face he said what my name has to do with the matter at present I 1 cant see and look lo oklee ce sir I 1 dont want any more beating about the bush come to the man and answer me one or two direct questions in in an equally direct manner you undertake divorce casesi cases eases know will you pull me through yes or no if the particulars warrant proceedings 1 I 1 will domy dommy best 11 was the reply still somewhat guarded gu ardef ardea D n it sir answer me yes or boand and lets go ahead how can I 1 ie 1 e more explicit when I 1 know nothing of the circumstances or how to give a definite guarantee when you tell me nothing you say you yon NY wish gish ish to consult me well sir state your case this wils vils was professional as the visitor was not slow to perceive and drawing his chair closer to the lawyer he came to the point in the most pointed manner lie he knew of 1 I will tell you he said that I 1 am a rich man and look upon up on expense as nothing to the accomplishment of my object I 1 want a divorce from my wife there you have it and money is no consideration in getting it you are smart that way I 1 have hearland hear dand have managed cases eases quite as groundless as mine what am 1 I to understand by ground less mr arwell asked in the most innocent way but the cunning expression of his eye grew keener is as lie he spoke 41 what do you mean by aroun groundless diess what do I 1 mean why simply that I 1 have no charge to bring against my wife and that come I 1 know you well enough to feel safe in saying it fabrication must tae take the place of truth of course as a lawyer I 1 understand what you mean and however as a man I 1 oppose such proceedings I 1 will pro listen to your statement proceed I 1 sir 11 proceed how I 1 called to be advised by you you know what I 1 want can you succeed in it mr arwell understood the matter perfectly well and was unscrupulous enough to undertake any business no ilo matter how disreputable provided he got well paid forit for tor it but in the present case he was ignorant on oue one point which he deemed all important to know and when he next spoke it was to get the information of course ho he said in the face of proceedings so unusual as will be necessary in your case to ensure a ful issue no lawyer would woula accept the responsibility before knowing 11 something definite about his client will you do your best for mo me ir if I 1 satisfy you that I 1 am fully able to be liberal in payment I 1 you must see that the expenses will necessarily be heavy and 11 yes yes nil nii right the visitor interrupted have you ever heard of reuben rcuben spotter what of north beach certainly well im the man now if we we can agree e upon the action to be taken I 1 will aar 9 give V you a check for 1000 before leaving bear all the expenses as matters progress ind and if you succeed in procuring the divorce place a bonus of in in your hands bands when all is finished 11 A full hour was passed after this between the two in earnest consultation consula tion and when they parted lawyer and client shook each other warmly by the handt hand having clearly elearly arrived at an understand ing which whatever might have been the nature of its conditions was mutually satisfactory after mr spotters departure the lawyer reflectively stroked his moustache but there was a smile upon his face that was sardonic in the extreme evidently mr arwell had found the character and business of his new client eminently to his taste and had no doubt that he possessed the ability to reap a golden harvest from the proceedings he had undertaken to institute it is not necessary to say that notwithstanding his well acted caution at the commencement of the interview and his apparent hesitation preliminary to the onder odner of his services he was wag eager from the first to get control of the case his only anxiety being as to the power or ir inclination or of his visitor to pay well for the services required satisfied on that point he was prepared to take all other chances no matter matte how fardous hazardous ha mr arwell was wag startled out of his reflections by some one entering his office turning around lie he recognized the intruder at a glance and immediately exclaimed ah reedy glad to see you your coming sav s me the bother of writing you a note another innocent victim eh spear well replied the new comer who was a man of about thirty of a nondescript appearance having nothing about it to indicate his station in society not a few of his class may be seen every day hanging around the skirts of the city hall and at the junction of montgomery and california streets no could be ever tempted to trust them with a dime and probably it is not too much to say that no honest man has ever encouraged their acquaintance without having had good reasons for repenting it afterward not to the point th the tho lawyer elawyer said a little harshly business is business and if one is paid for doing it I 1 dont see what else is wanted that is the way to regard the question if I 1 understand der stand it rightly now if you have nothing to do d I 1 have a little afraid to place in your hands for which if you manage it as cleverly as you did the last I 1 will see that you are still better paid all right my boy pim tim im your man marl and if there is is I 1 money in in the way you well know that I 1 will not scruple at trifles meanwhile im hard up can you help me with twenty dollars down 11 to be sure I 1 can call arwell quickly replied taking some gold from his pocket and handing the sum mentioned to his com companion panion there othere he contin ed is your retain retainer which pledges your best services to me and now you must listen attentively while I 1 explain caplain to now row you know on all that is necessary for you to Goa go ahead head batisa but I 1 say if thero there is any more false swearing in in it mind you I 1 must get something handsome A man to perjure his soul cheaply should he expostulated postulated ex tile the man reedy in a tone of voice intended to be serenely virtuous come come no nonsense I 1 mean business and no play at hypocrisy can deceive me as you ought to know before this time I 1 have satisfied you in the matter of payment previously haven t 1 I 11 the lawyer enquired somewhat sneeringly well I 1 wont say no but let me hear wha what lt I 1 am to do and im with you whatever it is reedy beedy said with an oath now youre sensible and I 1 will at once explain to you the precise trouble only withholding names for the present mr arwell proceeded with his usual caution it will be enough to state that there is a gentleman who has become thoro thoroughly disgusted with his wife and is determined by fair means or foul to procure a divorce from her the lady from what I 1 have discovered belongs to the ultra righteous few whose reputation for spartan virtue does not depend upon empty supposition and who are so strictly correct in their conduct as to anford afford no ground for complaint for some time past the husband has vainly sought to trap his wife without allowing her to discover his intention into frome some mistake of propriety so as to obtain what we lawyers call a casus beil beit for active pro ce edings against her br and ld he be is sufficiently desperate being res resolved olvea upon freeing himself from what he terms his hateful connection at all hazards to have recourse to legal strategy to accomplish his purpose he has consulted me about the matterand I 1 have advised him upon a course of action which is bound to be successful if cunningly pursued and with his consent the necessary steps are to beat be at once taken all ali this is simple enough and so aso also is the part I 1 wish to assign to you in the comedy and for which as I 1 have already promised you will be well paid and my part of the performance is what enquired the attentive listener E exceedingly simple as I 1 have said continued the lawyer you are a clever fellow reedy I 1 well know and would do much for a frequent employer of your services who so liberally pays paya for them as I 1 do remember further that in this instance you will be better rewarded than ever before well then tile the plan is this the purity of the cifes character must be assailed and I 1 have decided that you shall be the the gay Lot lothario harlo hario to work it out no do not interrupt me yet it is the easiest thing in the world as I 1 have arranged it with the husband if you consent to carry out my instructions as I 1 feel assured you will all that you will have to do is this take a message fromme from me to the gentleman who will see you at the hour I 1 shall send you and conduct you secretly to his wiles wires bedroom where you will hide yourself under the bed or in some other place until the lady shall make her appearance and partially undress when you will show yourself and the husband enter the room you will then be accused of being harbored by his wife wile and she charged with infidelity that may be sufficient clent but if any girly false swearing be subsequently required you are to do it well it is a villainous arrangement I 1 must say f I 1 reedy emphatically remarked 11 a and n all the dirty work is for me to do as usual but say five hundred dollars half now and half when its over and ill do ILI it s agreed your hand upon it III the tile lawyer exclaimed and the two villains shook hands CHAPTER 11 THE AND THE VICT izi 1 when a man is bent upon villainy he might as well give up all struggle with his conscience for the tiie simple reason that he will follow out his intention despite all his convictions of the disgracefulness or criminality of his conc conduct the inception of evil in thought is in most cases soon followed by evil in action |