Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-07-11
CHAPTER II.

between him and my father, and l see no
such resemblance here"
Now" said the inspector, 'this is
rather a remarkable party. l should take
him to be near on six feet six. Just
pass the tape along him, Munslow. What
do you make it? Six feet four. Well,
they do look a bit longer than they are,
as rule, when they're laid straight out
like that. Any signs to 60 by, Mr.. Jeth-
roe-any physical deformity, any scar
or mark p
Nothing that 1 know Of"
Your uncle now-was he out of the
common height at allT'
He was uncommonly tall. 1t was
that which made me doubtful"
What's that on your shirt cuffs?''
asked the inspector. Let's have a look
at 'em, if you please"
Il helped to lift that poor fellow"
said Harvey Jethroe, holding out both
hands.
Very good Your name is Harvey
Martin Jethroe, and you had an unclA
Of that name in South America. Did
you have any correspondence with that
uncle?"
''Since my fathers death, and until
six months ago, we wrote pretty regu-
larly."
''On good terms with each otherT
Until then. He was rather angry
because 1 could not accept an offer he
made me-"
"Oh! What might that have beenY'
He wanted me to join him IN Brazil,
and offered me a partnership"
HIM" The inspector was very seri-
Gus. "a well-to-do man, 1 suppose?'
Il believe he was extremely wealthy.
He may have been a millionaire"
Had you expectations from him?'
Until l declined to join him it was
always understood that l was to be his
heir. He had no other relation in the
world-nor had ]"
HIM The inspector was looking
very grave indeed. He nibbled the IN
sharpened end of his pencil, watching
the man he questioned from beneath
close-bent brows. Your only relative.
and a very rich man? Wanted you to
join him? Meant to leave you every
thing? Must have been some very
strong reason why you didn't GO"
We'll" said Harvey Jethroe, with a
H..
was an excellent reason. | am going TO
be married in month or two and nv
uncle was very eager to make another
match for me-"
In Brazilr
Yes. The lady was an only daugh-
ter of an old friend of his
"Well, now, Mr.. Jethroe when did
your uncle land in the United States ?"
Il have no reason to suppose that he
meant to come here ar all. 1 do not
believe that he has left Brazil"
How do you account for this party"
again a sideway nod of the head
having apparently the same name and
coming from the same part of the
world?''
Il can't account for it," said Harvey
Jethroe; Il don't pretend to account for
it. But this poor fellow is not my IN
cle-I am sure Of that"
You were not so sure a little while
ago"
Il am quite certain now. I have heard
the family likeness between my father
and my uncle insisted on very often
Except in height and the color of the
beard there is no likeness between this
man and my father"
The expression of the eyes might 60
for a good deal" said the doctor.
1T might" said Jethroe. looking
thoughtfully at the dead face again.
do you undertake to swear that the
deceased is not your uncle?" the inspec-
tor asked. That's the point"
II have a very strong opinion" Jeth-
roe answered. have. in fact, a moral
certainty"
You won't go further than thatY'
at would need direct evidence of the
clearest kind to shake my opinion"
well. Mr.. Jethroe. this is a very
serious case, and l shall feel it my duty
to detain you"
ITO detain me"' cried Jethroe, in
voice Of wounded anger. ION what
groundT
Let me finish, if you please, sir. 1
shall feel it my duty to deain you until
l have ascertained the truth as to the
statements you have made about your
self"
oh" cried the bank manager, that
is reasonable, of course. My cashier,
Mr. Murdoch, lives within FIVE minutes
walk of u.s."
Z IL see tne geuIIeuudu, Sdlu inc
inspector. You understand, Mr.. Jeth-
roe, it's my duty to satisfy myself on
these points, and l must tell you that it
doesn't end there. don't regard the
case as being one for arrest at present,
but if you should desire to make a sud
den journey anywhere it might save dis
agreeable consequences if you let me
know beforehand"
Il presume" said Jethroe, flushing hot
from head to foot and stammering In a
sudden anger, that means you intend to
have me watchedf'
80 long as that is understood, sir"
the inspector answered, with a manner
grown all of sudden quite suave and
cordial.
Very WELL" said Jethroe, angrily
next time the police may make their
discoveries for themselves. l do my duty
as humane citizen, and this is what
comes of it,"
The ms pector beckoned to his man
with mere motion of the head and with
4 wave of the hand to Jethroe, and the
three went out together.