The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-01-27
CHAPTER xv1I.-fcoptinued,

upon MIN almost savagely
be good enough to remember that
THIS Is a business interview" he said,
Higldly, and reserve your humor for a
more fitting OCCASION" The small. shah
ppy creature shriveled up at once, and
MI Mallett, with a 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 a third person is unnec-
essary, as l conclude the proofs spoken
OF by you are in your possession"
must speak this once; and 1 won't
interrupt again." jerked In DAVIS. 81
am a partner in this AFFAIR." would not
nave taken 1t but on that understanding
and, being a partner, I submit that
you nave 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 II the small photograph of a grave
which she had found in her mistress
oesK. 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
tombT 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-i-n-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,
and that this woman at Mallingford is
nothing but an adventuress?"
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
Of 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 dazed fashion Mr.. Mallett passed
bis hand across his forehead. He could
not yet realize the position in which he
stood; he could not grasp what it meant
Tor him-comfort, position, riches, splen-
dor, after twenty years of comparative
privation. His head was in a 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 1t 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 80 manyl
shillings quarter, and thinking himself
fortunate If, after settling bis bills, he
was able to put away few pounds at
the end of each term. He dropped intd
the chair placed for him by Babettes
wondering If he should wake I'D to And
1t all a dream. He listened, without
however, gathering much of her mean
ing, to the French woman's voluble ex-
PLANTATION.
"We advertised for you day after dav
In the Times, but could get no answer.
and l was in despair, when Providence
70
Perkins saw you and recognized you as
you went out, and told me who yol
were. How l prayed that she was. noE
mistaken! telegraphed to Mr.. DAVID
and he telegraphed to you this morning
made an absolute necessity Of comink
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, or
how do you propose to proceed p
"She must not be interfered with until
our proofs are all prepared" replied Mr..
DAVIS. my suggestion is that Ma'm'selle
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 to
Paris by to-nights boat, and from there
make your way as quickly as you can to
this place in Spain; that, when there, you
get afidavits, or whatever their Spanish
equivalent may be. from eye-witnesses of
your niece's death, also the certificate of
Yer death, and any other evidence that
may crop up, and that on your return
you place said proofs in my hands: and
before a month has passed you will be In
possession of Mallingford, and ma'm'sel,e
and I will be lingering that five thou
sand"
81 have no money to meet the ex-
penses of such a Journey"
81 thought Of that the minute I re-
ceived ma 'selle's telegram, and l rails
ed fifty pounds at a big sacrifice this
morning. Sign this bill for seventy-fve
at three months, and the fifty 10 yours"
Mr.. Mallett's lip curled with contempt
at the shameless extortion.
"You must feel very sure of this
game" he remarked, ito be so-generous,
shall we call itf'
DAVIS listened to the innuendo with
placid unconcern.