Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-09-01

II remember you now, although, as you
say, the beard does make an immense
change. And how is the world using
yon?''
'TOlerably we'll, sir; I've nothing to
complain of as things go! I've gone into
the public business-given up the force
altogether. I'd been wanting to do it
for some time, and a certain little affair
that took place some nine months ago.
with a solemn wink-''put it in my
power to make bid for little house that
I'd had my eye on for some time"
II see," said, wondering if this visit
was due to tsrdy fit of gratitude. "And
do you like your new calling as well as the
old one?p
Better sir-much better on all &C.
counts But I haven't called on you to-
night to talk about myself, but about that
same little affair. I've played as square
with you all through that business as you
did with me, sir, every bit"
Pm sure of that, Mr.. Benson"
Thank you. AS soon as / found l was
really on the right track sheered off and
took up another clew which 1 knew
would lead me right away from the true
one; and so managed to divert suspicion
from the real party"
ut was very good of you, and I'm all
the more grateful to you because it was not
so set down in the bond"
''Well, sir, what I've come to tell you
tonight is that there's immediate danger
Of the truth coming out now, in spite Of
all our past trouble TO keep it quiet. The
party himself-you know whom l mean;
the principal in that little job; has met with
nasty accident, tumbled through street
grating, not much in itself, but a seri-
GUS matter to him, owing TO his shaky
state of health, and he's gone bit
off his head. They brought him into
my house, as luck would have it; and,
when heard what he was talking about
bundled him into our private parlor AID
sent off for the doctor, instead of having
him taken to the hospital. He's an old
customer of mine, you see-has used my
house constantly ever since I've had it.
When the doctor came he looked very queer
about the case, so left my potman in
charge and came round Ia zee what you
would like to have dore. If he goes to the
hospital, you see, he's likely to blab, and
l know you"-
stop minutew 1 cried, feeling thor
oughly bewildered. Pm all at sea! l
doa't know in the least what you are
talking about. Who has tumbled down
a grating and gone off his head? You
can speak ou.-there is no one here to
listen?n
"Why, your head clerk, Levensm
"And what is the secret that you are
aiaid he will betray?"
The forgery of that cheque, Of cOurssw
But what does he know about it?n I
asked, rising from my chair in terror and
stepping towards the detective, who also
rose with an expression Of overwhelming
establishment on his face.
"WEat does he know about that forged
cheque?" he replied, partially recovering
! from his amszement. We'll, if there js
one man on this earth who knows more
about the forgery of that cheque than al
other, should say it is this man Levens,
seeing be did il himself"
"You are mad" 1 gssped. "What put
such an idea into your head? Levens had
nothing whatever to do with it; the forger
wss"--
ASH abruptly checked myself, new
light suddenly came into MS eyes, and he
struck his leg vigorously with his open
palm.
Hang me if what I thought once or
twice wasn't right ate allp he exclaimed
theoretically. you've been shielding the
wrong partyw
you're mistaken" said Obstinately,
'You must be mistaken! Levens was not
concerned in it"
ct wonder if you'd give me another five
hundred to prove that he was" he re-
turned quietly; and something in bia tone
of conviction kIndled in my heart the first
feeling of nope that it had known for all
these weary months. But 1 was des-
perately afraid of being cheated; besides,
what was this detectives word against
Cynthia's voluntary confession?