hey took away hope and implanted in
his breast terror and remorse wholly undeserved. But for them he might
have been a happy, prosperous, well-thought of man in this state. Yes,
revenge is what I want, not money. Revenge that will be for them an
equivalent of hell."
"But they should pay the legal penalties of their crime as well," the
lawyer spoke. "Recovery of the original amounts gained by fraud from
both your father and this man Dent, and accumulated interest as well
as damages, should be had. In all it should make a large amount."
"I suppose so. Probably enough to clean the four men out. But though
of course I should enjoy getting the property or money that was
rightfully my father's and now mine, still I'd let that go if I could
secure the satisfaction of making the four men pay in the coin I
want."
"Don't be a fool, Weir. Don't overlook any bets, as the saying is.
Taking their property away from them will but add to their pain and to
your pleasure. Now we must see if Dent's heirs can be found. I suggest
that you employ some good attorney to start a hunt along that line,
for an action by Dent's relatives will indirectly strengthen your own
case. I'm doubtful about one thing, however----"
"What is that?"
"Your courts here, and the value of this old Mexican's deposition. The
case could be brought in a Federal Court as you're a non-resident,
which would solve the first point, but how much weight would this
Mexican's testimony have against white men of standing and after a
period of thirty years. If you could find another witness----"
"There was one, a white boy, so Martinez hinted," Weir said.
"Find him, find him. Search the whole country until you find him!"
"That's a big undertaking, when I don't even know his name or whether
he's alive."
"Begin nevertheless."
"Well, I had better find my lost paper or secure another statement
from old Saurez first. At present I have absolutely nothing that a
court would look at; I haven't as much as I had yesterday. And even
Martinez has been spirited away."
Pollock smiled.
"I'm interested, greatly interested," he said. "I'm not actively
engaged in legal affairs at home and I may stay on here awhile longer.
Perhaps I can assist you; it promises excitement, at any rate. After
dry corporation matters, it should be a refreshing change--and I
haven't had a real vacation in years. Possibly this is the time to
take one."
"I appreciate your kindness in speaki
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