"Charles L. Harness-George Washington Slept Here" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harness Charles L)

George Washington Slept Here
by Charles L. Harness
This story copyright 1985 by Charles L. Harness.Reprinted by permission of Linn Prentiss.This copy
was created for Jean Hardy's personal use.All other rights are reserved. Thank you for honoring the
copyright.

Published by Seattle Book Company, www.seattlebook.com.




* * *


1. OLIVER POTTS

Miss Catlin waited until her employer had laid his briefcase on the credenza and sat himself behind his
desk. "Did you win your case, Mr. Potts?"
He beamed up at her. "Of course not, Miss Catlin. Any calls?"
"The local D.A.R. wants you to give a talk... preferably something early American. Refreshments."
"What was my last D.A.R. lecture?"
"Termite resistance of white oak log cabins, I believe."
"And that about exhausts my colonial expertise. On the other hand... refreshments, you said?"
"A colonial menu."
"Tell them I accept."
"They'll want to know the title of your talk."
"I'll think of something. And don't sound so cynical, Miss Catlin." He squinted at an engraved card on
his desk. "What's this?"
His secretary sniffed. "Junk mail, Mr. Potts. I really shouldn't have brought it in. It just means
somebody has accessed into the Bar Association roster."
"Gracious, Miss Catlin, it's an invitation. For membership in the Trust for Preservation of Mount
Vernon."
"Translation: they want money."
"For a good cause, I'm sure. Wasn't there an enclosure?"
"Oh, Mr. Potts! You're so gullible." She handed him a folder.
"See, they're trying to duplicate some things that turned up missing when Washington died in 1799.
Saddle bag, given to him by Congress in 1783. Long underwear, imported from London. A 1795 ten
dollar gold piece. And so on. Where's your patriotism, Miss Catlin? They're trying to restore Mount
Vernon the way it was when he died."
"Patriotism, Mr. Potts-- and I remind you I got this from you-- is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
"Send them one hundred."
"Mr. Potts. Your office needs painting. The reception room needs new furniture. That sofa is a
disgrace. If you want to restore something, start here. Ten dollars. Not a penny more."
 "Catlin-- oh, the hell with it. Get the phone."
She picked it up. "Oliver Potts law office." After a moment she said to him, "It's Mr. York's secretary,
calling from Sena City. She wants to talk to you."
"I'll take it here. Yes, Miss Joyner? Accident? What? Dead? Good God." (Potts never used profanity)
Miss Catlin watched his face in growing alarm as he listened further to the stricken voice in his earpiece.
"Due in court this afternoon? But surely... the local guys... Nobody will take it? The judge... Oh. Oh.
What a..." he mumbled the word as he looked at his watch. "The commuter flights leave on the half hour.