Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-02
CHAPTER VI.
The LAWYER.

The answer was an Unexpectedly sensible
one.
Hunt up her man of business and see
what he can do for you. She cannot get
along without money: nor could that state
ment of hers have got into the papers with
out somebody's assistance Since she did
not get it from the fellow We have just
left, she must have had it from the only
other person she would dare coniide in"
Ransom answered by Immediately haiing
downtown car.
The interview which followed was certain
ly a remarkable one. At first Mr. Harper
would say nothing, declaring that his rela-
lions with Mrs. Ransom were of a purely
business and confidential nature. But by
degrees, moved by the persuasive influence.
of Mr.. Ransoms candor and his indubitable
right to consideration. he allowed himself
to admit that he had seen Mrs. Ransom
during the last three days. and that he had
every reason to believe that there was a
twin sister in the case, and that al Mrs.
Ransom'S eccentric conduct was attributa-
bic to this fact and the overpowering sense
of responsibility which 1t seemed to have
brought to her-a result which would not
appear strange to those who knew the SEN
sitiveness of her nature and the delicate
balance of her mind
Mr.. Ransom recalled the tenor of her
strange ietter on this subject. but-was not
convinced. He inquired of Mr. Harper if he
had heard her say anything about the
IL
er, and when he found that this was mere
jargon to Mr.. Harper. he related what he
knew of Hazen and left the lawyer to draw
his own differences.
The result was some show of embarrass-
ment on the part of Mr.. Harper. 1t was
evident that in her consultations with him
she had entirely left-out all allusion to this
brother. Either the man had advanced a
false claim else she was in an irrespon-
sible condition of mind which made her see
sister where there was a brother.
Ransom made some remark Indicative of
his appreciation of the dilemma in which
they found themselves. but was quickly
silenced by the others emphatic assertion:
Il have seen the girl; she was with Mrs.
Ransom the day she came here She sat in
the adjoining room while we talked over
her case in this one
You her-saw her face?"
NO, not her face; she was too heavily
yelled for that. Mrs. Ransom explained
why. They were too absurdly alike, she
said. 1t awoke comment and it gave her
the creeps. But their figures We're identica;
though their dresses We're different"
so, there is some one then; the girl is
not absolutely myth
Far from 1t. Nor is the will which Mrs.
Ransom has asked me to draw UP for her
a myth
Her will! she has asked you to draw us
her will"
Yes That was the object of her visit.
She had entered the married state she said,
and wished to make legal disposition %
her property before she returned to you
She was very nervous when she said thisa
very nervous through al the interview.
There was nothing else for me to do buA
comply.
And you have drawn up this will?
According to her instructions, yes"
But she has not signed it?''
Not yet"
But she intends to-"
Certainly
Then you will see her again.
Naturally
us the time set?'
The lawyer rose to his feet He under
stood the hint implied and for an instant
appeared to waver. There was something
very winsome about Roger Ransom: some
attribute or expression which APPEALED espe-
cially to men.
II wish 1 might help you out of your diff
Guilty" said he. But a clients wishes are
paramount Mrs. Ransom desired secrecy.
She had every right to demand it of me-"
Mr. Ransom's face fell Hope had flashed
upon him only to disappear again. The
LAWYER eyed him out of the corner of his
eve. his mouth working slightly as he
walked to and fro between his desk and the
door.
Mrs Ransom will not always feel herself
hampered by a sister, or, IL you prefer it, a
brother who has inconveniently come
back from the dead. You will have the
Continued on Seventh Page.)