The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-22
Can it be poss:b1e?" she exclaimed,

Can it be poss:b1e?" she exclaimed,
seegerly. 'Quick-let me see i'll"
Boncourt produced the paper he had
just obtained, and their heads we're bend
ing together over it, when slight cough
caused them to look up again with q
start.
Dip was standing in the center of the
room holding something in mis- hand, but
with his eyes fas ened on the paper with
q comicaily inquisitive stare.
His master sprang to his feet with an
oath, aud seized him by the collar.
"Whatl are you spying, you fend's
morsel?" he exclaimed, shaking him
fercely. Did I not send YOU of with
Mauri:e FIVE minutes ago? And why are
you slipping in here without knockirg?"
Il say, governor, give me a show, and
.I'll answer you," cried the lad. And then,
upon being partly released. he added,
with perfect composure: In the first
place did knock at the door before COM
ing in, sir, but I suppose you didn't hear
me. In the next place, just as was
vameosing the ranch in Maurice's COM
;pany. there was sort Of Arab at the gate.
who had just parted from you, and who
sent me back here to YOU"
What for?"
He said you had just given MIN some
gold pieces. one Of which is q counter
teit. Here it is.
Boneourt snatched the coin that was
Geld out to him.
Ut is o bad coin," he grumbled, briefly
examining it; "but don't believe the lel-
low ever got it from me. Come with me,
90 10 NJ nf INV n
be q fabrication you had better have
neger been borp."
..e went ,out grasping the lad by the
arm, after calling to his sister to keep
the paner, which he had left in her hands.
He presently returned.
'rhe boy spoke truly" said he, and I
5uppose ] must have given the fellow q
false coiE inadvertently. Well, you must
have read the paper by this time," he
added, eagerly resuming his place by her
side. What do You think of it?"
II think that Noel's fathers handwrit-
ing must h,Ee altered very materially
during the past seventeen or eighteen
wears, if he ever really wrote and signed
that paper" said Adele, handing it to
him. Il have become slightly familiar
With Mr.. Marlowe's handwriting of late,
trough slyeral things that Noei ha;
SHOWN me; anG II GEARS but little resem-
blance to that.
"The deuce!" exclaimed Boncourt. And
be took the paper from her and studied it
carefully.
The writing appeared greatly faded,
but was still quite distinct, and was to
the following import:
H1GEcoNpR March -, 1904.
This is to certify that the bearer, Jasper Mar
lowe, is about to take himself to parts unknown,
by reason Of certain domestic revelations made
by him to me- and not by reason of his being IN
bank Of Mesers. Soundman & Goldberg. by which
Thomas Aworth has been deprived OF his for
tuno, amounting to eighteen thousand pounds.
In consideration for his thua agreeing to ab-
sent himself, never to return, and thus take
upon himself the stigma, by implication, at
taching to said crime, !, Gilbert Marlowe, here
by declare myself guilty Of the said forgery,
with none other than Gideon Croak, the law yer,
us my accomplice in its commission.
In further consideration, hereby agree to
send the said Jasper Marlowe FIVE thousand
pounds, one year atter date, to any address IN
any part Of the world that he shall hereafter
designate to me.
The said jasper Marlowe, on his par, ,solemnly
agrees, under oath, to never reveal the contents
Of this paper. unless, rs sef-preservative IN
case he shall be III imminent danger Of prosecu.
Given this dny, fully, freely, without any in.
timidation whatever, under my hand and seal.
GILBERT MARLowE.
Boncourt read this over in low tone
and with gloating eyes.
@Wby, of course it's the genuine paper
there can be no other!" he exclaimed.
Look at the age of the paper-yellowed
and stained. and almost falling to pieces
at the crossings! Look at the faded ink
Of the writing itself! Moreover, it was
evidently written in nervous, perhaps
trembling, haste. That, together With
the natural change effected by time in
ones anship, will more than explain
the difference between this Of the bank
er's, eighteen years ago, and what he may
put to paper at the present time"
Yes, this must be the explanation,
said Adele. 1T is as you say. There con
be bat cne such paper in exi:tence, end
this it u.s."
Adele, we're in luck, we're in gigantic
luck" said Boncourt, putting away the
paper very carefully in an inside waist.
coat pocket, and then tapping his breast
triumphantly, Il would not take fifty
thousand pounds for this treasured docu.
ment, if offered to me in geld ut t2is mo.
ment. Gilbert Marlowe, the man whom
it puts in my power, is reported 10 bs
worth three times that amount, and this
paper is certainly good for all he is worth
every shilling. Iwould defend its pos.
session, now that I have it, with the last
drop of blood in my veins"
NO wonder that J sper has 80 Dewailed
ita loss, said Adele.