The Globe-republican., 1892-04-18
CHAPTER X.

bounced that James Sanborn had died
suddenly at his residence in Albany, at
ten o'clock that very morning.
1t was certainly something more than
mere coincidence, but James SanbOrn
was the man with whom Stuart Harland
claimed to have had a business engage
ment on the night of the murder.
Il am saved The death of James
Banborn renders the discovery I have
dreaded scarcely probable. What a
weight is lifted from my mind! Now, ]
will see Stuart, and we will come to an
understanding" reflected the broker.
But it was too late to visit the prison
that day, and so he was obliged to defer
his call until morning.
At the earliest hour on the following
morning at which he could gain an en-
trance to the prison the broker visited
Stuart Harland.
The young man greeted his employer
IN a rather reserved manner, but he
eagerly inquired as to how Edna had
received the news Of the misfortune
which had so unexpectedly befallen him.
Garrison assured Harland Of the
faith aud confidence Of his betrothed.
and then he said:
L u,
that understand why you persistently
refused to explain the real motive OF
your midnight visit to Albany"
Il was aware that you could not be ig-
norant of the consideration by which
was actuated. / had determined to
shield you from the deplorable conse-
quences of an act of criminal folly.
cannot comprehend, however, how, if in
%ha .,i0 oT
have been guilty of such a deed. 1t
that, in the ordinary course Of events,
discovery was inevitable" replied Har-
land.
Il was driven to desperation. I was
mad, if you will, and then, too, count
ed upon redeeming the cheque, and
squaring the matter by the payment Of
an extra thousand or so.
$50 you relied upon making terms
with James SanbOrn. Where, may
ask, did you expect to procure the
money!"
You have heard me speak Of my Col
oraGo property? Very well; have put
it up for sale. My agent announced
that could rely on receiving the price
for which he had agreed to sell it-$8O,-
OVv w lue loU lIlStdut.
Il begin to comprehend how you reas-
Oned in the desperate extremity to which
those scoundrels, Pratt and Weeks, had
driven you, and yet would never have
deemed it possible that a business man
like yourself would have resorted to such
a desperate expedient as forgery"
Hush, Some one may hear us. I
confess all, forged James Sanborn's
% <lN g., i
Garrison, dropping his voice to a whis
per.
Il knew that had so perfectly imi-
tated his signature that it would be i'm
possible for any one except James San
born himself to detect it, and 1 think it
probable he would not have suspected it
had he seen the cheque, except for the
fact that he would know he had not
given paper for any such amount.
Il knew that Sanborn would not see
the cheque until he called on his banker
to balance his account when it would be
returned to him. l was also aware that
he seldom had his account balanced and
his cheQue turned in more than once a
month. 1 believed l should have ample
time to fix matters with him even if my
remittance of the purchase money from
the sale of the Colorado claim was de-
layed. Yesterday 1 received the news
from my Western agent that the prop
erty in Colorado could not be disposed
of now-that the proposed sale had
fallen through"
Then discovery is inevitable and you
are lost. l am sufficiently well ac-
Quainted with James Sanborn's char
acter to comprehend that he will exact
restitution or place you in a criminal
cell. When l visited Albany on the
night OF the murder / was on my way to
see James Sanborn in your behalf. You
know he is an old and devoted friend Of
our family But let me explain how
discovered that the cheQue for seventy
eight thousand was a forgery despite
your conviction that it could not be de-
tected. AS you know was James San
born private secretary for a year, and
consequently 1 am more familiar with
his signature than any one l know Of. I
examined the forged cheque after John
Oakburn received it from you, and my
suspicion was aroused, but I was not
sure. for as you have said the imitation
of the signature was wonderfully per-
feet But chance decided the doubt.
Half an hour later l met John San
born in the street in company
with a friend. We talked for
few moments and he mentioned
that you had importuned him for
large loan, but he assured me that he
had declined to advance you any money
whatever. was shocked and confused
and the presence of Sanborn's friend
prevented me from speaking then. l
hastened back to our office determined
to reveal my discovery to John Oakburn
and prevent his presenting the forged
check at the bank. But fate was against
me- When l arrived at the Office Oak
burn was not there. and was informed
that he had gone 10 the bank started
in pursuit of him but did not overtake
him as hoped l should. On the con-
trary / met him returning with the
money which he had received for the
check. 1t would have been useless to
tell OakbuIn then, and so I held my
peace But had resolved that Edna's
father should not be disgraced, and de-
termined to see Sanborn and pledge my
prospective fortune to pay the amount OF
the forged draft, and win his promise to
keep the secret Of your crime. Icounted
on SanhOrD'S friendShin and the fact