Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25

money"
Does he know who bet it?'
Not his name-SOme stranger. he'd know
him If he saw him, he says
crane grasped this new idea with ayidfty
the scent was indeed getting hot Why not
take Farrell down to Brookfield to identify
mortimer! Crane had expected the search
ing for evidence would be a tedious matter:
MS fortunate star was guiding him straight
and with rapidity to the goal he sought.
m much obliged to you," he said to
Faust. Il won't trouble you further: I'll
see Farrell myself. Give me his address"
That evening Crane saw Farrell. There
was little crooked work over that thou
sand Faust got from you," he said IAN If
you could find time to go with me for an
hours run into the country / think YOU
could identify the guilty party"
81 can go with you" Farrell answered,
but It's just chance in a thousand
should be on the bl ock down a heepshead,
but, to tell you the truth - race tha
hackers set me at 3 OF fed ma
ouL d pit. m goi ner for
lew Gays an Il week
Yes. I'll go with you. he
morning the two journeyea
Il won't go to the bank with ne
said Il wish you would 60 in alone. You
all. Just see If the man you got this note
from is behind the rail. III walt at the no.
tel"
In fifteen minutes Crane was Joined bv
"Well?" he asked
Hes there, right enough"
"A short dark little chap?" questioned
Crane hesltatingly, putting Alan Porter for
ward as a feeler.
mo. tall fellow, with a mustache"
You are sure?'
Dead sure, unless he's got double or
twin brother"
putable proof: evidence that would satisfy
even Allis Porter. Fe experienced little ex-
hilaration over the discovery-he had been
so sure before: yet his hand was strength
ened vastly. Whatever might be the result
Of his suit with Allis, this must convince
her that Mortimer guilty and unworthy
of her love. There was also satisfaction In
the thought that 1t quite cleared Alan Of
his sisters suspicion.
How he would use this confirmation crane
hardly knew; 1t would come up in It's own
proper place at the right time no doubt.
I'VE can go back now" he said to Far
rell. I'VE may well walk leisurely to
the station-we can get a train"-he pulled
out his watch-'in twenty minutes"
Crane had made up his mind not to show
himself at the bank that day. He wished
to hold his discovery quite close within
himself-plan his course of action with
habitual caution. 1t meant no increa sed
aggression against Mortimer's liberty: It
was of value only in his pursuit of Allts
Porter.
AS they walked slowly toward the station
Crane met abruptly the girl who was Just
then so much in his thoughts. Her sudden
appearance quite startled him though II
was purely accidental. She had come in to
do some shopping, she exclaimed, after
Cranes greeting. ,t- +.
Farrell continued on when his companion
stopped. A sudden determinat ion to tell the
girl what he had unearthed took quick pos
session Of Crane. His fine sense of rea SON
ing told him that though she professed pos
tive faith in Mortimer. she must have mo-
ments of wavering: it Seemed only human.
Perhaps fate had put this new>weapon in
his hands to turn the battle.
He began by assuring her that he had
prosecuted the Inquiry simply through
desire to establish the innocence of either
Mortimer or her, brother, or, If possible,
both.
you understand" he said, quite simply,
that Alan is like brother he was
going to say SON." but it struck him a
being unadvisable. 1t aged him. He re-
lated how he had traced the stolen note.
how he had discovered It, how he had
brought the bookmaker down, and how,
without guidance from him, Farrell had
timer as the man who had bet the money.
They were walking toward the station:
unconscious of physical trend, this terrible
interest had drawn the girl Cranes way.
'It clears Alan he said, seeking furtive
ly for look into the dropping face
The bright sun struck a sparkle of light
from something that shot downward and
splashed in the dust. The girl was crying.
Perhaps 1 shouldn't, have told you; it's
too brutal"
The head dropped still lower
II shouldn't have spoken had 1t not been
for your brothers sake. I didn't mean to-
1t was fate drew you across nay path lust
now. Though 1t is cruel. it is better that
you should know. No man has a right to
deceive you; you are too good. 1t Is this
very consistency and goodness that has
Don't she pleaded "I can't hear n fust