Arizona republican., 1898-10-31


 Can ii be pnssible!" exclaimed Mrs Maynard. looking up at him with the words. They proved, did you say, Mr. North, proved that Mir. Herman was in Europe as early as the 18th of July?' ''They proved it. Mrs Maynard, in black and white: proved it by his own unconscious testimony; proved it, re- gret to add. beyond peradventure or shadow of doubt.'
 Oh" she cried impulsivcly, with a quick disdainful little gesture, ito think. Mir. North, that we should have failed to detect so fatal discrepancy as tlat.'
 1t is amazing" assented North dry lies primarily in that date. In the sec ond place. one of the witnesscs-let me see, what was his name?'' He threw his head back refiectively, and the sEarp. gray eyes swept the frcscoed ceiling for an instant.
 Was it Norristown?" suggested Mrs. Maynard. faintly,, as she twincd the slender glittering links of her watch chain around her finger, in a apreoccu- pied way.
 ''It was Norristown, thank you!' The sharp gray eyes returned with the words to Mrs. Maynard's face. Well. then. it was shown conclusivcly that Norris town died exactly ten days previous tc, the date of the will tan unquestionable alibi, by the wayD which important fact, in the judgment of the court, ren- dered all his subsequent proceedings invalid, at least within that jurisdic- tion.''
 "Norristown is dcad?" echoed Mrs Maynard. with quick change of color. Then she added, in tone of tragical despair:
 T perceive that you are right, Mr. North; shred by shred the unsubstan- tlal fabric is going to tatters! What next?,
 Next pursued North, with rather inexplicchlc smile, i've come to the dis closures made by tke experts. The whole affair, you see, has been merci- lessly sifted. Hunter and Ketchum arc unrelcntinG."
 '.Unprincipled. Mercenary.'' cried Mrs Maynard, with sudden little flash of resentment. ''All that they wish is to secure fer themselves handsome fees from the estatc..'
 ''Oh. possibly" returned North. with indolent amusement. Nevertheless. my dear Mrs. Maynard. whatever their motive, the fact rclnains-they are re- leptless. Up to this point the only evi- dcncc offered has been the ordinary verbal and documentary sort; but now il ,linch the previous testimony the e. perts arc introduced"
 '.Expcrts?' repeated Mrs Maynar in tone of vague speculation.
 ''Tes; chirographical experts, yo1 know, to decide as to the genuinenes of tEc signatures. Submitting th document to tbc usual tests, in connes tion with unmistalkably genuine speci mems of the handwriting of the attoi ney, the testatriz and the witnesses, tii experts unhesitatirgly sworc that tn will was forgery from beginning t end. Thus you see, Mrs. Maynard. and here North leaned back in his chai and folded his arms conlposedly, hal closing his eyes to complete the effcc of supericially indifferent manner they have made affairs cxtremcl awkward for us. Who knows, now for instance, who may be suspected o having had a hand in this business Why. they may even honor me wit some such suspicion; there's no doub of the possibility.''
 Mi North,''
 Mrs Maynard had risen excitedly and she was now pacing restlessly t and fro, her trailing dress sweepin over the carpet in creamy folds. He delicate dark brows were contracted her expression was troubled, her ton edged with asperity.
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