The Leavenworth Case

I had been a junior partner in the firm of Veeley, Carr & Raymond, attorneys and counselors at law, for about a year, when one morning, in the temporary absence of both Mr. Veeley and Mr. Carr, there came into our office a young man whose whole appearance was so indicative of haste and agitation I involuntarily rose as he approached, and advanced to meet him. “What is the matter, sir?” I inquired. “You have no bad news to tell me, I hope.” “I have come to see Mr. Veeley is he in?” “No,” I replied, “he was unexpectedly called away this morning to Washington, cannot be home before tomorrow. But if you will make your business known to me…” “To you sir?” interrupted he, turning a very cold, but steady eye on mine. Then seeming to be satisfied with his scrutiny, continued. “There is no reason why I shouldn’t, my business is no secret. I came to inform him Mr. Leavenworth is dead.” “Mr. Leavenworth!” I exclaimed, falling back a step Mr. Leavenworth was an old client of our firm, to say nothing of his being the particular friend of Mr. Veeley.