What Came Afterwards CHAPTER 14.

Edwin Guyton was not, usually, an early riser, but the next morning he was abroad a little after daylight. The object was soon apparent. Taking a position at the corner of one of the streets crossing Baltimore Street, he waited for a short time, when the carrier of a newspaper came by, from whom he bought a copy of the "American," which he thrust into his pocket.

"Am I too late for the Chronicle?" he asked of the carrier.

"Too late, sir." And the carrier hurried on his way.

No matter for that, a 'Chronicle' must be had, and it was obtained from a door knob at the expense of a subscriber. There was no difficulty in getting the 'Sun'. Returning to his home, Guyton commenced an examination of the three morning papers, in a hasty, nervous manner, confining himself to the advertising columns. Nearly a quarter of an hour elapsed before he was fully satisfied.

"As I thought," he then said, speaking aloud, and with the air of one relieved from an uncomfortable suspense. "A man in his position will think twice before endangering the mineover which he stands."

At ten o'clock, Edwin was at his desk in the Custom House; not employed in his usual duties, but waiting. He waited in vain. The check which had been demanded of Larobe, was not restored. If the lawyer hesitated, and held off from attack, he was not to be driven from an assumed defensive. The check for four thousand dollars being in his possession, he did not mean to give it up.

Having acted in the matter of extorting money from Mrs. Larobe without consulting his lawyer, Edwin Guyton found himself standing alone amid dangers, difficulties and temptations, with no counselors but avarice and desperation. The one quickened into life all his mental resources adapted to the occasion, while the other made him bold and unscrupulous. He had grown impatient of legal strategy and delay, and abandoning his covered position, dashed in upon the enemy, gaining a single advantage; but, already, the enemy, rallying in force, had recovered a portion of its losses, and was pressing down upon him with a vigor that threatened his safety.

The question which, for the time, most perplexed Edwin, was in reference to his legal adviser, Glastonbury. To brave, alone, the perils of his new position, in face of an enemy so full of resources as Larobe, left the issue very doubtful. But, on the other hand, to inform Glastonbury of what he had done, would involve not only a division of the spoils in hand, but a return to strategy and delay, which he could no longer brook. He had moved upon the enemy, and at a dash discomfited and weakened him; and, now, all his impulses were in favor of trusting to his own counsels, and his own weapons. Acting under legal advice, he would be in a straightjacket; but free, alert and vigorous, while his own will and thought gave sole direction to every movement.

From ten o'clock, the time he had fixed for the return of the four thousand dollar check, until twelve — Edwin Guyton debated this question of consultation with his lawyer, but without coming to a final decision. The threat he had made, at parting with Larobe, could not be executed without legal process; therefore, not without Glastonbury. But, it was only a threat, meant to intimidate. That it had been, in a degree, effective, was seen in the fact that no advertisement of the notes extorted from Mrs. Larobe had appeared. It had not been effective, however, in recovering the check which had been retained by the bank officers.

At twelve o'clock, with this perplexing matter still unsettled in his mind, business connected with his duties in the Customs, required Edwin Guyton's presence in a remote part of the city, where he repaired. It was night before he returned, and then the Custom House was closed. If any communication from Larobe had found its way to his desk, he could not know it until morning. This left him in a state of suspense and uneasiness. Conjecture was busy; but, conjecture increases, instead of allaying uneasiness. Nothing was left but to wait for the next day, and whatever it might bring forth. In the morning, he again arose before the sun, and again made diligent search through the morning papers for thethreatened advertisement. But, Larobe had not yet made good his word. Like Edwin, he regarded a defensive attitude, just now, as safest.

Days went by, without further communication between the belligerent parties. Edwin Guyton felt a painful sense of uneasiness, for, while he remained idle, he understood enough of Larobe's character, to be well satisfied that preparations for assault and meditated destruction must be in progress. Still, he hesitated on the question of consulting Glastonbury.

One, two, three weeks elapsed, without the sign of a movement on either side. Edwin had dwelt on the relation he now held to his step-mother and her husband, until his mind was completely bewildered. He could not see clearly in any direction. Whatever he proposed to do, was met by the apparition of some suggested consequence that it seemed folly to brave. He had about concluded to make a clean break of it to Glastonbury, when he received a note from that individual, desiring him to call. Guyton repaired to his office, anticipating an almost angry interview with his lawyer. In this, however, he was disappointed. Glastonbury received him with a composure that amounted almost to indifference, and after he was seated, said, with a quiet smile, and in a tone that betrayed hardly a pulse of interest,

"So, you have undertaken to manage this case yourself."

The young man colored, and, in some embarrassment, which he vainly tried to cover, replied —

"No — I have only ventured a movement or two, by way of experiment. That is all."

"Successful?" Glastonbury drew a cigar from his mouth, and turning his head on one side, slowly blew the smoke from his lips. He looked the picture of cool indifference.

"Yes." Edwin tried to absorb a portion of the man's coolness.

"Ah? To what extent?" There had been a puff on the cigar, and now the blue smoke was again curling lazily about his head.

"I have four thousand, dollars cash, and notes to the value of twelve thousand, all payable within nine months."

"From Mrs. Larobe?"

"Yes."

"You'll hardly get beyond the four thousand, my young friend."

"Why not?"

"Because, in this dash upon the enemy, you have given up a strong position, which cannot be regained. In the open field you are no match for him. I'm sorry for this imprudence. It has given Larobe the power of effectually barring you against any further interest in your father's estate."

"I am not able to see that, Mr. Glastonbury," answered the young man, growing serious.

"It is nevertheless true. The law does not recognize as legitimate, these forced transactions, and goes on the assumption that right is weak — where might is umpire. If it had been settled, that legal redress was scarcely possible, and that right must be had through extortion — then your desperate course would have justification on the ground of a last resort. It was not good to throw away the advantage you possessed, in this doubtful venture. But, the deed is done, and there is no help for it now."

"Still, you do not explain how I am barred thereby from legal action," said Edwin.

"You gave Mrs. Larobe some kind of a receipt?"

"Yes."

"Of what tenor?"

"In full of all claims against my father's estate."

"Will not that bar you against recovery?"

"If the notes and checks are paid, yes."

The lawyer shook his head. "Your receipt is in full for all demands against your father's estate."

"For a consideration. In default of the consideration, the original claim becomes good," said Edwin.

"You were not dealing with an executor, or legal representative of your father's estate, remember," answered Glastonbury, "whose failure to abide by the contract restored your legal claim. The transaction was with an individual, whose promises to pay you accepted in lieu of all interest in the estate. It will be hard, I think, in the face of that receipt, and also in the face of your extortion of terms under threat — to obtain from any court a favorable decision. Very sure am I, that no lawyer of any standing at the bar, could be found willing to undertake the case on a contingent fee."

"Which means," said Edwin, "that you abandon it?"

"To waste time and labor in attempting to reach an impossible advantage, would be an act of folly," softly answered the lawyer. "A new line of warfare having been adopted — it becomes necessary to abandon the old. We must now see what advantage lies in the assumed position, and make the most of it. You have four thousand dollars?"

"Yes."

"And notes for twelve thousand more?"

"Yes."

"To whose order are these notes drawn?"

"To my own."

"Ah! That was a mistake!"

"They should have been to Mrs. Larobe's order?"

"Assuredly."

"Right. I was a fool not to have seen that. But there's no help for it, now."

"You must realize on these notes as quickly as possible," said the lawyer.

"Sell them?"

"Yes. Get then off of your hands at once, for any sum they will bring, and leave the purchaser to collect at maturity. They will not be paid; you may rely upon that. A third party can sue them out with fair prospect of recovery against Mrs. Larobe; but any such attempt on your part would certainly fail of success."

"I have thought of that," replied the young man, "but hesitate about offering the notes. I cannot feel that it would be safe to trust them in the hands of a broker."

Glastonbury answered, "No, not by any means," speaking with decision. "We do not know to what extent a knowledge of their existence may prevail, secretly communicated to brokers and money-lenders."

"What then is to be done? How are we to sell the notes?"

Glastonbury's indifferent manner had quite passed away, and he looked serious and business-like. Nearly half a minute elapsed before he answered, with a thoughtful air —

"You have put the question most difficult to meet. The thing must be done; but how to do it? — there lies the problem."

And the lawyer went to thinking again. "There is a man with whom something might be effected. He has the money, and likes large slices in the way of discounts. I don't know about him, but he may be induced to advance on this paper." Glastonbury talked as if to himself.

"Are you personally acquainted?" asked Edwin.

We see each other now and then, in a business way."

"Could you approach him on this subject?"

"That is just the question I am debating. It will not do, my friend, to trust this paper with any third party. Either you or I, must negotiate direct. Again, its value is in jeopardy every hour it remains in your possession. Suppose a caution appear in the 'American' tomorrow morning, giving notice that it has been fraudulently obtained and will not be liquidated. Its market value is gone; for no capitalist will touch it. It should be endorsed to make it negotiable, and then pass from your immediate possession."

Edwin Guyton put his hand, almost mechanically into his pocket, and drew out his wallet. Removing the three notes, he unfolded and laid them on the lawyer's table. Glastonbury took, and carefully examined them.

"Perhaps I had better see the person of whom I spoke just now," continued the lawyer, "and try him with the shortest note."

"Very well." You understand the matter entirely, and will act, I know, with all needed prudence."

"He's another Shylock in his greed of money," said Glastonbury; "and will demand a heavy discount, seeing that it is a woman's note, and the endorsement of no value."

"A bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush, Mr. Glastonbury. Sell the paper for whatever it will bring. I leave all in your discretion," was Edwin's prompt reply.

"Put your name on the notes." And the lawyer pushed his pen towards Guyton, across the table. The endorsement was made. "A third party holds them now. Legally, they have been negotiated, and are no longer your property," remarked Glastonbury, as he took possession of the notes. "Their value is simply commercial, like any other article bought and sold in the market, and good against Mrs. Larobe in the face of all allegations. Do you understand me?"

"O yes."

"Very well. Today, if possible, I will see my man, and try what can be done with him. I do not think he will bite on the instant — he isn't that sort of a fish; but generally surveys the bait from all sides. When he does take hold, however, it will be with a will."

"Shall I see you tomorrow?" asked Edwin.

"Tomorrow? — tomorrow?" He questioned in a doubtful way. "Yes, you may call in; but I have a case down for argument, and shall, most likely, be in court all day."

"In that event," said Edwin, with some anxiety of manner, "you will not be able to see our capitalist. Of all things, we have most to fear from delay. Too much time has already been lost. An advertisement, such as you referred to, is likely to appear at any moment."

"Very true, and it is, therefore, my intention to open the matter of negotiation at once. I shall not wait until tomorrow. Still, two or three days may intervene before a transaction can be effected. He will demand too large a slice. One half, at least."

"One half!" There was no feigned astonishment in the voice of Edwin Guyton.'

"He's another Shylock, as I told you," said Glastonbury, coolly.

"So I should think," replied Edwin.

"But, of course, I shall not yield to any such demand."

"Of course not." Edwin was far from being altogether satisfied, or from feeling altogether safe in this new relation to his lawyer. Something in the man, never observed before, stirred a latent suspicion of unfairness in his mind. There was nothing clear upon which his thoughts could rest; only a vague impression that disturbed his confidence. And this dwelt with him for all that day, and kept him wakeful through the following night.

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