ich I owe to every individual my
story treats of--to state facts and only facts with which
they have been connected--believe me,

Yours truly,
THOMAS W. LAWSON.

FOOTNOTES:

[16] See foot-note on pages 189 and 190.

CHAPTER XXVII

COURT CORRUPTION AND COIN

The closing scene of this most significant drama was enacted on Saturday
morning in the Wilmington Circuit Court-room. There was nothing in the
cold formality of the proceedings to indicate that here was the
_denouement_ of a serio-comedy in which greed and ambition had clashed
in a battle for millions; nor in the amiable indifference of the men who
got within the enclosed space below the judge's desk to suggest the
murderous passions and fierce hatreds raging beneath the surface of the
prevailing calm.

The _dramatis personae_ were gathered in little groups representing the
separate interests--Addicks and some of his lieutenants; my partner at
the telephone; John Moore's partner and Rogers' counsel with their heads
together; Braman and Foster nearer the judge, their eyes wandering
toward two dress-suit cases piled before John Moore's partner, which, it
was understood, contained the money. At a glance it was impossible to
tell the one containing Buchanan's share from the other laden with the
receivership loot, but each was tagged, and it was evident that
possibilities of a mix-up had been carefully guarded against. Behind
Braman was his clerk, and in the rear of the court-room sat as many of
Addicks' thugs as could squeeze into the narrow space reserved for
spectators. They, too, eyed the dress-suit cases avidly, for the
information had been passed around that these innocent receptacles
contained the "stuff," of which the "Boss" was about to be robbed.

Court came to order. Foster rose, announced that the claims of his
client had been satisfied, and made a formal motion to dismiss the
receivership. The Court formally consented, and as the clerk was
entering the dismissal in his minute-book my partner telephoned the
facts to me. I sent back the word that my directors were resigning--had
resigned--that Rogers' directors were being elected--had been
elected--that the Boston gas companies were now transferred to Rogers.
My partner whispered my words to John Moore's partner and Rogers'
counsel. At once the two dress-suit cases, each loaded with currency,
were slipped to Braman and Foster. At the same time the messenger who
was t