Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12

That was obvious. So the first thing to do was
the principal parts in it. From Mr.. Richards story
we apparently had nothing, yet it gave prac-
tically the names and addresses of the persons at
the bottom of the thing
How? To find how, we'll have to consider the
purpose of the conspiracy. An actor-an artist in
facial representation, we might SAYS picked up in
the street and compelled to go through the num-
merry of death bed scene while stupefied with
drugs. Obviously this arranged for the benefit
of some person who must be convinced that he or
she had witnessed dissolution and the signature
OF will, perhaps will signed under the eyes
of that person for whose benefit the farce acted
So we assume will was signed. We know, with
in reason, that the mummery was arranged for the
benefit of young woman-Mss Fanshawe here
From the intricacy and daring of the plot, it was
pretty safe to assume that large of money
involved As matter of fact there was-more
than million. Now, here is where we take an
abstract problem and establish the identity of the
actors in it. That will was signed by compulsory
forgery if may use the phrase by utter stranger
"a man who could not have known the handwriting
of the man whose name he signed, and who was in
a condition that makes it preposterous to imagine
the will was signed, and the conspirators had to
have signature that would bear inspection Now.
what have we left?
When person is incapable of signing his or her
name physically or by reason of no education, the
law accepts cross mark as signature, when prop
erly witnessed. We know Mr.. Richards couldn't
have known or initiated the signature of the old
man he unprecedented; but he did sign-therefore
cross mark which could have been established be-
yond question in court of law Now, you see how
established the identity of the persons this fraud
l got the date of the incident from Mr.. Richards,
then trip to the surrogate's Office told me all /
wanted to know. What will had been filed for
probate about that date which bore the cross mark
signature? The records answered the question
nstantly-John Wallace Lawrence.
- glanced over the will: 1t specifically allowed
Miss Hilda Fanshawe trivial thousand dollars
year, and yet she was Lawrences adopted daughter.
See how the joints began to fit togetherf Further.
the will left II, the bulk Of the property to Howard
way,-and one Frank Hughes. The men were his
nephews, the woman his neice. The joints continued
to fit nicely, therefore the problem was solved. It
1 knew their names I found Guerin-Mr.
Richards knew him Halnan-and asked him
about the matter. From the fact that he locked
me up in room of his house and kept me prisoner
for two de IS was convinced that he was the prin
cipal conspirator, and so it proves"
Again there was silence. Detective Mallory took
three long breaths, and asked question. But
where was John Wallace Lawrence when this thing
happened"
rushing home, knowing that her adopted father
was dying, The Thinking Machine explained. "As
a matter of fact, when she returned Mr.. Lawrence
had been arranged for her benefit, and at the mo-
ment his body lay in an up stairs room. He was
buried two days later-a day after the farce had
been played-and she attended his funeral. You
see there was reason why she should have
pected anything don't happen to know the pro-
visions of Lawrences real WILL but dare say it left
practically everything to her. The thousand-dollar
allo vance by the conspirators was sop to stop
possible legal action
The door Of the room opened and uniformed
man thrust his head in. Mr.. Richards wants to
see Professor Van Dusen,' he announced.
Immediately behind him came the actor. He
stopped in the door and stared at Guerin for
moment.
Why, hello, Hallnanl" he remarked pleasantly.
Then his eyes fell upon the girl and fash of rec
ogntion lighted them.
Miss Fanshawe, permit me, Mr.. Richards;
said The Thinking Machine. You have met be-