Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-02-14
we nave gunereo

| AS he spoke, In cool, deliberate way,
Mrs. Maynard sank back in her chair as
If quite overcome by the announcement.
Quickly rallying, however, she ex-
claimed, in resolutely incredulous tones:
''Then we have lost our case? Oh,
Mr.. North, how can this have happened?
We were so we'll fortified at every point,
even granting their claims concerning
the niece to be correct; so you have re-
peatedly assured me yourself, Mr.. North
80 Hopkins and Shepherd have reiter-
ated again and againr'
l. A grim little smile crept upward from
the dropping ends of North's mustache
and just illuminated for an instant the
sharp glance of his eyes. When he
spoke his tones seemed full of hooking
sarcasm.
"Well fortifed2 So we did appear to
be. 1t was strong case until the tear
ing and rending of our opponents be-
gan; then our really unsubstantial
fabric went to tatters In an instant"
''Mr. North, what do you mean3" de-
manded Mrs. Maynard, while her beau
tiful eyes grew darker still with alarm
and excitement. LET me know the
whole truth-the worst that there is to
tell Speak plainly, if you please"
81 will do so, Mrs. Maynard, if you
insist, although the plain truth is not
always an agreeable thing to hear. In
brief, then, the will that was put for
ward in support of your claim to Mrs.
DunllirlI's fortune has been openly de-
clared, and furthermore proven to be, a
forgery"
"A forgcry!'
| Mrs. Maynard repeated these words
mechanically, as if she were unconscious
of speaking aloud; then with sudden
vchcmence she cried:
"Who says it is n forgery! Who
darcs to say SO? How can they prove
| it?"
| North was watching her closely, re-
alizing with how much significance her
words and manner at this crisis would
be Weighed; yet he was unable to de-
tcrmine the precise effect produced upon
her by his announcement. That she
was startled and dislnayed he could of
| course perceive at q glance; beyond this
he could not analyze her emotions
| Holding himself steadily in hand and
continuing his watchfulncss of her, he
replied to her last excited words with q
touch of reckless nonchalance in his
manner:
''Oh, the proofs are invincible, Mrs.
Maynard. l, myself, sec clearly now
that it was very poor policy to risk that
| business"
He spoke at random, knowing that
his first venture must be made moro or
less daring1y in the dark; but 20 sooner
were the words uttered than he congrat-
ulatcd himself that his random shot had
hit the mark.
"Poor pohcyl" repeated Mrs May
nard, In perpl excd tones, while she
raised her eyebrows inquiringly. And
pray, Mr.. North, who sanctioned this
poor policy9''
"Prcciscly what l propose to find out, "
said North to himself, with grim deter
mination. "By strong implication, my
self-or rather Noll. However, that re-
mains to be established"
Then TO Mrs Maynard he added, in
his most conciliatory tones:
"Oh, we'll, Mrs. Maynard, we can
scarcely afford to discuss that point OF
tho present interesting crisis. OF course,
whatever has boon done thus far has
been undertaken with tho very best in
tcntions and confident anticipation of
success A few days ago our position
seemed tenablc enough; now, however,
since tho case has been subjected to
such n mcrciless examination, sec very
clearly the weak and utterly untenab1e
points The fact is, Mrs. Maynard, that
forgery, us I now perceive, was far from
skillfully contrivcd, and the best we
can say for-ah-for tho perpetrators
thercof''-he paused just for an instant
hero. with lneditativc little laugh,
while he mentally commented: ''There!
g3t over that very neatly!'-"is, that
it proves them to be rather incXperi-
cnced In such work. Now, let me GO
over the whole ground, Mrs. Maynard, y
ho added more seriously, 'and point
out to you the fatal discrepancies that
ed to our de-defeat."
He had commenced to say ''dctec-
tion," but just as the word was trcn,
bling on his lips he substituted for II
the more non-committal term.
, Mrs. Maynard having assented silent
ly to his proposition, he proceeded al
oncc to his critical review Of the forged
| will
I'm the first place." he began, looking
at her so steadily and l1eenly, with such
, strange attentiveness, that her eyes fell
she scarcely knew why, this document
purporting to be tho last will and tesla
mont Of Mrs. Jano Dunkirk was repro
sented to be. and In truth did appear tc
be, in tho handwriting of James Ker
, nan, Esq, now deceased. but formerly
prominent Now York lawyer. 1t wa:
inevidence, md not disputed OF oil. that
/ tho lato MIR. Herman was for severa
/ years. period embracing the date o.
this will-Mrs. Dunl1irl's attorney, and
naturally, the person to whom shG
r would intrust tho drawing Of this docu
ment. So far, very good. There is (
fair degree of plausibility for us, jus
on the surface. But unfortunately
competent evidence was produced by
r Hunter and Kctchum, showing that Oh
or about the 10th Of July, which Is tn,
4 date of our will, you know, and for
/ certain time previous and subsequent II
: that date, tho late MIR. herman was Il
Europe, and therefore he could not hnv
t had any active personal share in this o
/ any other transaction OF like natur
D that may have occurred in New Yorl