Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-10-17
CHAPTER w.
The LIVING Witness.

to the servant. His companions were
a well-preserved, fine looking old fell
low, who had the appearance of a
weIl-to-do farmer, and a clean-shaven,
good looking, dark-eyed young man,
faultlessly dressed, and with dis
tinctly military bearing.
The man servant, who had received
his instructions from his master, at
once ushered the visitors into the Ii
brary.
A minute later Sir Mark Bretting-
ham, leaning on the arm of a young
man of twenty, entered the room.
The three men had risen at Sir
Marks entrance.
Mr.. Hank, the inquiry agent, gave
an uneasy glance at the baronet's COM
panion.
81 understood, Sir Mark" he said,
that this interview was to be pri-
vate one"
'Tt will be So" replied the baronet.
"This is my son, Mr.. Harold Brettins-
ham. The matter we are to discuss
is one which affects him graVely, and
he has every right to be present at our
interview. Whatever the result of this
interview may be, l shall do nothing
without his consent"
The young man whose presence had
drawn a protest from Mr.. Hank said
nothing. His face, which was pale
when he entered the room, flushed
slightly as his gaze encountered that
of the Youngest of the three visitors.
If the story of the inquiry agent was
confirmed he was, for the first time in
his life, in the presence of his elder
brother-the brother who had come
from a convict Jail to assert his right
to the heritage which Harold Brettlng-
ham had always believed would be
his.
But it was not of himself that Har-
old rockingham was thinking as he
looked at John Wilson. He was think
ing of his father whom he wOrshipped,
of his mother whom he idolized.
AS he seated himself by his fathers
side the feeling that possessed him
was a devout hope that they might yet
find some flaw in the eX-detective's
story, and that the good looking, well
dressed adventUrer who returned his
gaze with a stare of insolent defiance
might turn out to be an imposter.
The momentary silence which fol-
lowed Sir Marks explanation of his
sons presence was broken by the bar
Onet himself
''You are here tonight he said,
turning to Mr.. Hank, Ito substantiate
the story you told me yesterday"
81 have come prepared to do so, Sir
Mark" replied the inquiry agent;
but first, as a matter of form, | should
introduce you to Mr.. John Wilson, the
gentleman whom, at your request,
have succeeded in tracing"
81 have nothing to say to him at
present" exclaimed the baronet, stern
1y; you must satisfy me first of his
identity"
"Quite so, Sir Mark, but''-here Mr..
Hank permitted himself smile, which
was not a pleasant one-''if you will
look at Mr.. Wilson I think you will be
struck by his resemblance in certain
features to yourself l had not noticed
it before, but now, seeing you both to-
gether--"
Sir Mark, who had hitherto studi-
Ously ignored the man he had taken
so much trouble to find, glanced I'M
easily in his direction.
The glance was sufficient to show
him that the inquiry agents remark
was justified.
His voice was less confident. his lips
trembled slightly when he turned to
his son.
Harold he said, you will hear the
statements that will be made tonight
1t will be for you to Investigate them
and satisfy yourself that they are true,
if there is, in your opinion, anything
that justifies doubt as to their genu-
ineness. The only person know any
thing about here is Mr. Hank, the
gentleman who has had the investiga-
ton in hand
'YOu are quite right, Sir Mark. to be
careful, replied Mr. Hank. 'but you
must not think should be so careless
in the business you have entrusted to
me as to bring you a witness whose
bona f1des could not be established be-
yond ali dispute The gentleman who
has come with us is Mr.. John Craw-
ford of Five-Tree Farm, Warwick
shire The Crawfords have had the
farm for four generations, and Mr..
Crawford holds his lease direct from
the lord of the manor You will have
no difficulty in satisfying yourself of
mis- identity if you imagine l have been
so foolish as to bring you false wit
ness. l was sent to you by your own
solicitors, and | presume they told you
was man on whom you could rely?''
Mr.. Hank had spoken in tone OF
natural indignation, which was not as
gumed
''Vou must excuse my father" said
Harold rockingham. quietly; che has
no desire to throw the slightest doubt
on your integrity or on the bona fides
of Mr. Crawford. He merely meant
that l, for my own satisfaction, should
act as he suggested, if I pleased. Or
my fathers behalf and my own l quite
accept any statement Mr.. Crawford
may make"
THANK you, sir" said the farmer
who had listened in silence. 'I've M
object in coming here. l was asked
by Mr.. Henk, who has been in com
munication with me for some time