The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-07-29

Radirairs thought Of various chapters
in his past lite, aud OF that concerning
Stella in particular, and wondered II
Gubbs had heard aught regarding him,
He had much TO fear, and he could
scarcely conceal his anxiety as he said,
II hope II is nothing serious"
swell, tie something decidedly un'
pleasant, my lord.n
N am extremely sorry" said Red
friars, speaking with sincerity, for he,
now felt certain that what he most
dreaded had come TO pass; someone
had made revelations concerning him
to this man, He watched the merchant
thrust one hand into his breast pocket
and pull out q bundle Of papers, one OF
which he was confident denounced him.
"The fact TO-" said Gubbs, III have
here q check for q hundred popnda TO
which my name has been forged"
The earl's relief was ipteusei he felt
as II he had been snalehed from the
brink Of q precIpice, Taking bis hand
kerchiei he wiped the PRECIPITATION from
his forehead. "a forgery" he echoed.
ayes; Isaw the amount entered In
my pass book, and cbuldn't remember
paying H. then called at the bank,
asked for the check, and saw twas .
forgery" he remarked, surveying it
critically,
Have you any idea as to who the
mo, there I am at a loss; I don't
know what to think, my lord, can't
suspect anyone In my house, and YET
the number OF the cheek shows 1t was
taken from my book, which is usually
kept locked in my desk"
'someone in the house." thought
Rediriars, and Immediately u light
flashed on his mind. Being q man OF
quick perceptions he saw that this in
cident might be.taken advantage OF for
a purpose OF his own. However, he
seldom acted on impulse, and in the
present instance his Intelligence in
atantly set to work in viewing and crit
iclaing the idea prevented 70 him, IN
taking in its possibilities, and in arrlv.
ing at the conclusion that the opportu.
nifty he sought was suddenly presented
to him.
Knowing that he must proceed eau.
tiously before venturing to take o de-
cided step, he Vsked, "Dld the cashier
remember the person who presented
the check"
"No; he was busy, aud paid the man
without taking notice Of him."
The earl's face frightened.
"Haye you no clue?".
None whatever, my lordi I'm puz.
zled."
"You have placed tho matter in the
hands OF the detectives, ! supposef"
mot yet; for it was only to-day j
made the discovery. It's not the loss
OF the money that vexes me so much as
the thought that the same thing may
happen again."
Redfriars.
"Theu I may blame tho wrong per.
son or | may trust the thief. 1t has
worried me, my lord; it has worried
me-"
The earl walked to the window, and
remained gazing before, him as II lost
in thought Then with an air Of gray
ity and a certain amount Of hesitation,
which he judged would be effective, he
returned 10 where Gubbs stood on the
hearth, and facing him said, slowly and
solemnly, II have suspicion regard.
ing the man who forged that check,
and much as it goes against the grain,l
believe 1t my duty you should know IT.
The merchant felt much impressed
by the earl's manner, aud not less sur.
prised by his words.
"You have q suspicionT" he muir.
INJURED.
(which Ia almost q conviction" an.
swered Rediriars.
"Ten me-" said Gnbbs, impatiently,
"tellSne, my lord, who Is the man you
suspect" =,
mot till you promise me to foresO. all
prosecution"
"I can't do that; the fellow deserves
to be punished"
"That ] grant; but Il you lethim 90
free I'll show you how you may protect
yourself from further fraud"
IT shsn't promise. He has robbed
me and I'll see him in the dock"
"But supposinV your doing so brought
shame and scandal on one who was
soon 70 become q member Of your
familyT"
ION your lordshipP" exclaimed
Gubbs, In bewllderment.
Even so, Now give me your word
that you will not prosecute and I'll tell
you all / know and suspect"
"For your sake, my lord, I promise"
"rhen Tmay say l believe that cheqne
to have boon forged by Virgil Lech.
mere" said Redfriars.
"By your cousin" exclaimed the
merchant astounded by what he had
heard, though somewhat prepared for
the announcement by tho CARTS hints.
"1t's a very painful matter to me-"
remarked the earl, land nothing would
force me to make such an accusation
against him, but tho conviction OF his
guilt and my sense Of duty towards you"
THANK you my lord, thank you; but
why do YOU think he 10 the torgerr--
you muSt have some reason-some
knowledge"
"If l answer you l must let you into
q secret" replied Redfriars readily
enough, "and you must never mention
1t to anyone"
"You trust me, my lord-you may
trust me-"
well, about two years ago" said the
earl, drawing on his Imagination, "a
cheaue for o hundred pounds was forged
with my name. There we're circnm-
stances which clearly polluted 10 Virgil
as the guilty party, and l charged him
with the deed. When he knew that l
would not prosecute he fully acknowl.
edged II, pleading his poverty aud his
temptation as an excuse"
"You astonish me; who would have
thought itH Such a nice young fellow"
murmured Gubbs.
MYnn nhvnr knnu n mnn uhn nan