Again the attorney hesitated, and again Hatchie pulled the rope till he
was ready to answer.
"Is it a forgery?" said Hatchie, slackening the rope.
"Probably it is," replied Maxwell.
"Who wrote it?"
"De Guy."
"This De Guy is a most consummate villain, and shall yet be brought to
justice. But how came it in your possession?"
"I received it from De Guy, as the agent of Mr. Dumont. In fine, I
_bought_ the girl," said Maxwell, maliciously.
Hatchie's temper had nearly got the better of him, for he made a spring
on the rope, which threatened death to the attorney. But his judgment
overcame his passion, and he again turned his attention to the great
object before him.
"Now, Mr. Maxwell, as you are a lawyer," said Hatchie, "you are aware of
the disadvantages I shall labor under in making the evidence you have
furnished me available."
"I am," replied the attorney. "Do you think I would have yielded to you,
if I had not known it?"
"Have you told me the truth in these statements?" asked Hatchie.
The attorney hesitated; but a sharp twinge at the neck compelled him to
say that he had.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286