Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-06-01

ly assuming. His own suspicion, how
ever, remained mistaken, and he deter
mined to hold resolutely to the slight
advantage already gained, and, if pos
sible, to push it still farther.
Now consider, Mrs. Maynard" he
resumed, in an argumentative way,
consider how the case must look to
our opponents. You are the claimant,
the person in whose interest this will
was forged. Mr.. North is your con-
idential legal adviser, presumably the
person by whom your whole course has
been dictated. 1t has already been es-
tablished that the New York lawyers
who represented you in court, Messrs.
Hopkins and Shepherd, are in no man
ner connected with the forgery. Prac-
tically, then, this divides the response
bility between the claimant and her
confidential legal adviser. At the very
outset, however, arise two separate and
distinct hypothesis, either of which is
sufficiently plausible. First, that you
were fully aware of the character of
that will before it was discovered in
court-in fact, when it was first put
forward in support of your claim-and
an active and willing agent in the con-
spiracy by which it was produced; or,
secondly. that you are the innocent VIC
tim of scheming and dishonest law
yer-myself, for instance-who, not
having the fear of the law before his
eyes, forged this will by his own un-
aided efforts, palmed it off upon you as
genuine document, and boldly carried
it into court. Have you followed me
clearly thus far, Mrs. Maynard? Dc
you quite comprehend my meaning?"
He broke off anxiously here and
awaited her response.
Mrs. Maynard was again restlessly
pacing the floor with head slightly
bowed and hands clasped istlessly be-
fore her. One moment of silence in
te-vened between North's question and
her answer; then, turning and looking
gravely at him, she said:
ssThus far think I understand you,
Mr.. North, but confess there Is some
thing beyond your words that cannot
quite divine. / am in no mood for pene-
trating mysteries when they touch
upon q matter of such vital importance;
but will endeavor to comprehend your
meaning so far as you will trouble your
self to render it Ineligible to me-"
She turned from him with the words
and continued her slow pacing. North
reflected gravely upon her answer;
then, failing to make anything satisfac-
tory of it, he fastened his meditated
coup d'etat.
"Thanlx you, Mrs. Maynard" he said,
calmly. THAT is all can possibly
ask. Now, / venture to predict that
you would have no difficulty whatever
in convincing the court, Hunter and
Ketchum, and the public generally,
that the latter hypothesis is correct
that the entire responsibility of this
forgery rests upon myself. Very good;
suppose, then, that you consent to
adopt this measure, which is certainly
open to you, and agree to close my
lips and make no sign; or, to make mat
tiers pleasanter all around, take myself
off suddenly to Europe. In such case
your first step will be to move at once
in an investigation"
North spoke slowly and distinctly,
realizing all the daring Of this venture,
all the disastrous consequences of a
false move. He was nerved for any re-
suit, prepared for an adroit change ct
base If Mrs. Maynard's countenance or
manner should warn him that he had
gone too far in his assumptions He
had hardly expected this; yet he was
not prepared for the overwhelming
confirmation that his suspicious now re-
ceived.
While he was speaking those last
words he saw q sudden culver seize her
whole frame rs Il powerful electric