The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-02-23
CHAPTER xvII.-(Continued.)

Joke gave Mr.. Mallett the opportunity
ne had been longing for, and he turned
upon him almost savagely.
be good enough to remember that
THIS is business interview" he said,
frigidly, "and reserve your humor for a
more fitting occasion" The small, shah
by creature shriveled up at once, and
Mr.. Mallett, with q show of surface
courtesy, turned to Babette. "And now
madame. l think the rest Of this inter
view can be carried on between us two;
the presence of third person is unnec-
essary, as l conclude the proofs spoken
OF Dy you are in your possession"
must speak this once: and I won't
interrupt again." jerked in DAVIS. 81
am A partner in this AFFAIR." would not
have taken it but ON that understanding
and, being a partner, I submit that
you have no right to shut me out; there
fore l stay"
Mr.. Mallett shrugged his shoulders
with an expression of utter Indifference.
Babette produced an envelope and took
from it the small photograph Of grave,
which she had found in her mistress
desk. She drew out a small magnifying
glass from her pocket and crossed the
room to the dirty window.
Come and look" she said.
Mr.. Mallett did as requested, and then
looked at her inquiringly.
do you not see the name on the
tomb?' she asked, impatiently, for she
was so impressed with the truth of her
own belief that she was annoyed when
others did not jump so readily to the
same conclusion as herself.
Mr.. Mallett bent down again in the
doubtful light that found it's way through
the dust-grimed panes, and looked care
fully at the photograph. DAVIS and Ba-
bette stood by, anxiously awaiting his
answer.
Il see the name Pauline plainly and
the last letters of the second name
I-l-in-g.' What then"
DO you not remember that your
niece's name is Pauline, and can you
not see that those letters which are blot
ted out by that mark must be the first
two letters of your own name? If it
were not for that blot, the name would
stand Pauline Mailing Can you not
understand that you hold In your hand a
photograph of your real niece's. grave,
q
nothing but an adventures
"Great heaven"
He stood staring. first at one, then at
the other, and then, in breathless amaze
ment, he looked at the card in his hand
Babette felt satisfied as to the success
IF her coup.
"And, if that Is not enough mean
the mere name-there is the date, May.
IS This woman who has been
quietly accepted as the late baronet's
heiress first come to light in July of the
same year. 1t is all quite plain"
In a dazed fashion Mr.. Mallett passed
his hand across his forehead. He could
not yet realize the position in which he
stood he could not grasp what it meant
for him-comfort, position, riches, splen-
dor, after twenty years of comparative
privation. His head was in whirl.
will you not sit? You look over
come, Sir Godfrey" ~
He started on hearing himself ad-
dressed by his proper name. Yes, that
was just what it meant to him-that he
was, or would soon be, Sir Godfrey NAL
lingford, of Mallingford Park, instead
of Woodworking drawing master, doing
his daily round of instruction at so many
shillings a quarter, and thinking himself
fortunate if, after settling his bills, he
was able to put away a few pounds at
the end of each term. He dropped into
the chair placed for him by Babette.
wondering if he should wake up to find
It all a dream. He listened, without,
however, gathering much of her mean
ing. to the French woman's voluble ex-
PLANTATION.
1--WE advertised for you day after day
In the Times, but could get no answer;
and was in despair, when Providence
sent you down to Mallingford. Mrs.
Perkins saw you and recognized you as
you went out, and told me who you
were. How prayed that she was not
mistaken! I telegraphed to Mr.. DAVIS,
and he telegraphed to you this morning
I made an absolute necessity of coming
to town for some wedding fnery; and SO
here we are!"
And now what is to be done? And
am l to go down to the park and turn
this woman out with a policeman, on
how do you propose to proceed?"
"She must not be interfered with. unit
our proofs are all prepared" replied Mr.
DAVIS. my suggestion is that Mann elle
Lestrange should give you the address
Of the man who took that photograph
which, with a rare foresight, she with
held from me; that you cross over tt
Paris by .to-night's boat, and from Their,
make your way as quickly as you can tt
this place in Spain; that, when there, yor
= ret afidavits, or whatever their Spanish
equivalent may be, from eye-witnesses o.
YOUR niece's death, also the certificate o.
her death, and any other evidence tina
NAV crop up, and that on your return
vou place said proofs in my hands; anC
before a month has passed you will be il
possession of Mallingford, and ma m sell,
and 1 will be lingering that Eve thou
sand"
II have no money to meet the ex
penses of such journey"
II thought of that the minute re
ee;ved ma 'selle's telegram. and rails
ed fifty pounds at a big. sacrifice thi
morning. Sign this bill for seventy-fv
At three months, and the fifty is yours"
Mr.. Mallett's lip curled with contemp
At the shameless extortion.
"You must feel very sure OF tai
game" he remarked, ito be so-generous
shall We call it?'
DAVIS listened to the innuendo wit
nlacid uncOncern.