The San Francisco call., 1906-07-15

| Tered such opportunities for Scoun-
/ drelly dealings, that Vark set to work
at once to translate it into actual
facts. He had many of the letters and
bills of the absent Jimmy. who had
| been accustomed to come to him for
the money refused by the paternal
Dix. Counting ON the old mans death,
| Vark had lent the son money for his
| prohigacy at heavy percentage, and
| intended to repay himself out of the
estate. Now that Hagar was to handle
| the money instead of himself, he
thought that there might be some diff
| hculty over his usury, owing to the
| girls absurd honesty. He. therefore
determined to give proofs to Jacob
that the absent son had designed to
rid himself of troublesome father
| by secret murder. Once Dix got such
an idea into his head he might leave
his wealth to Hagar. The heiress
would then be wooed and won by
skillful, scheming Mr.. Vark. 1t was
beautiful idea, and quite simple.
Among his many shady clients vark
possessed one who was a clever forger
and who occasionally retired TO one of
her Majestys s prisons for too frequently
exercising his talents In that direction
At the present moment he was at large.
Vark gave him a bundle of Jimmy'S
letters and the draft of memoran-
DUN which he wished to be initiated
in the handwriting OF the absent heir
Whom this was ready, Vark watched
his opportunity and slipped it into
Chinese jar in the back parlor, in which
he knew Jimmy had been accustomed
to keep tobacco. This receptacle stood
on high shelf and had not been
touched by Jacob since his sons de-
parture. Vark. like the clever scoun-
drel he was, ascertained. this fact by
the thick and sundisturbed dust which
| Il
thus prepared itgonly remained TO lead
Jacob intQtsit, <and this Mr.. Vark ar
ranged toAdo, In the most skillful man
per. He Squite counted on success, but
one necessary element thereto he over
looked, and that was the aid Of Hagar.
But as he had designed the whole
scheme primarily for sher benefit, he
never thought. she would refuse to for
ward its aim.x which blindness showed
that he was incapable of -appreciating
or even understanding the honesty Of
the girls character.
According to his custom, he came one
evening to converse with Jacob. The
room with its solitary candle, the
starved fire, and the foggy atmosphere
were the same as on. the night when
Hagar had arrived. save that now Ha-
gar herself sat sewing by the table.
She frowRed when -Vark came cring-
ing into the room, but beyond greeting
notice of, the smiling: scoundrel. Vark
produced his bottle of gin and sat down
near the fire opposite to Jacob, who on
this night looked. very old and feeble.
The old man was breaking up fast. and
was more querulous and grabbed than
ever. AS usual, he asked Vark if Jim
my had answered the advertisement.
and as usual he received, a negative
reply. Jacob groaned..
I'll die this winter" said he, with
moody. face, and no one will be by to-
close my eyes
What is this I hear Mr. Dix say!'
cried vark smilingly. He forgets our
beautiful Hagar-'' 4
@Hasar is an very well. blfts she Is
not Jimmy ENr
Perhaps If our dear friend knew all
he would be pleased that she isn't"
( Hagar looked up in surprise at the
significant tones sSof Vark, and Jacob
Iscowled. What dye mean, you shark
he demanded a light: coming into his
faded eyes.
"why,''.replied the lawyer, Turing on
the old pawnbroker." Jimmy was
scoundrel."
Il know that. man" snapped Jacob.
He wanted your money"
Il know that also"
He wished for your death"
It's probable he did, retorted Jacob,
me take my own time TO die"
HIM I'm not so sure of that!'
Guessing that Vark had some scheme
in his head which he was. striving to
bring to fulfllment, Hagar dropped. her
sewing and looked sharply at him. AS
Vark spoke she saw him glance at the
Chinese jar. and mentally wondered
what possible connection that could
have with the subject of conversation.
On this point she was soon enlightened.
''Vark." said Dix. seriously, ARE you
going to tell me that Jimmy wished to
kill 'me?,
The lawyer held up his hands in hor-
ror. "Oh, dear, that 1 should be so mis-
UNDERSTOOD he. said in piteous tone.
Jimmy was not so bad as that, my
venerable friend. But If some one else
had put you out OF the way he would
not have been sorry"
DO you mean Hagar?'
Let him dare to say sol" cried the
girl, .Ieaping to her feet with flaming
eyes. 'I do not know your son, Mr.
Dix"
''whatr said vark. softly; mot red
haired JIMMY"
Hagar sat down with a pale face.
"Red-hairedw she muttered. Goliath!
No. 1t Is impossible!'
Vark looked at; Hagar and she stared
back at him again. With the approach
ing senility OF old age Jacob had
ceased to take part In the conversation.
and was moodily staring at the miser-
able fire. trembling and palsisd crea-
ture. The idea limited at by vark-
that Hagar had been employed by
Jimmy to destroy him-so stupef1ed his
brain that he was incapable OF even
expressing an opinion. Seeing this. the
lawyer glided away from the danger
Gus topic. to carry out the second part
of his scheme
"Oh. dear, dear" he said. hunting In
his pockets. My pipe issempty, and I
have no tobacco with me-
Then go without 1t, Mr.. Varki" said
Hagar. sharply. There's no tobacco
here"
"Oh. yes: think in that jar" said the
lawyer, pointing one lean finger at the
high shelf-"Jimmy's jar"
Leave Jimmy's jar alone!' mumbled
Jacob, savagely.
What will not Mr.. Dix spare one
tiny pipe of tobacco for his old friend?'
whined Vark, going toward the shelf
"Oh, ! think so; am certain" and with
this one of his long arms shot upward
to seize the jar. Jacob rose unsteadily
as yark took down the article, and he
scowled fiercely at the daring of his
visitor Tndfffarent to what was going