The Washington herald., 1907-06-09

that came from the river, Geofrey could
see that the frightened look had gone
from it and that only cunning remained
in the pale eyes.
How? Why, by selling Il back 70 him.
Of course; or, better still, by threatening
him with it. He's rich, a big man-by
Jove, / should think he was-and he'll
pay TO hush this up. 1 know; yes, and
pay handsomely. He has come back
under another name. and do you think
he viii like the idea Of being shown up
as the Godfrey Clavering who commit
ted forgery and stole $500 eight years
ago? Not likely. No fear, He'll pay,
and pay through his nose, too. for this
bit Of paper, I can tell you, Bess."
He broke off, chuckling, and folding
the paper again, placed it in his breast
pocket Godfrey. feeling like a man in
dream. stood rigid. Exposure, Ruin,
This was what It meant for him; thar
the burden Of another mans sin was
upon him still
For a moment Bessie faced Barker in
silence. Then But how did you get it?-'
she asked.
He hesitated an instant looking round
again with uncertain eyes.
We'll, 20 tell you the truth. I stole Il
he replied Got IL out Of the earls desk.
II was mixed I'D with lot OF dirty rub
bish, and forgotten. 1t viii never be ask
ed for, and il II is-why. I shall say il
went into the fire with other worthless
papers. l had carte blanche 10 throw
away what I thought no good and III
run the risk Of this. It's worth IT,"
He laughed again. Bessie stood stnl.
watching him with steady eyes She
seemed 70 be thinking, waiting, and for
moment Godfrey had a queer feeling
that there was contempt and scorn and
even dislike in her attitude. But that was
impossible and the next instant the
thought had vanished
Don't you be silly she said. Don't
YOU go doing anything so senseless as
blackmailiug. It's dirty work and will
do no good. And why can't YOU try TO
find out who murdered Mr.. Lancaster?
only threw over Ted SeaIey because You
promised. You didn't say ANYTHING then
about it being dangerous. Why is it dan
gerOus?"
She broke Off breathlessly. Barker still
stood with his head turned away.
You women are that obstinate there's
no doing anything with YOU" he said.
after "a moment. Just because YOU have
set your mind on raking I'D that old
murder YOU won't listen 10 anything else
You're just cracked obstinate, Bess, and
you won't see how difficult II would be
10 get the proofs you want Why. 10 be-
gin with, I should offend the earl him
self by raking it up"
"H0w?'
Why, you can see well enough how II
you think OF all the talk there was about
his son and Hetty Lancaster, before her
father was found dead. The earl would
not want that gone into again. and fixing
the murder on Hetty stopped all that.
- wouldn't want her name cleared. for
You know they say that she's the reason
why Lord FanShawe has never married.
and that the earl knows ii. and that he'd
give something 70 know that Hetty was
out Of the way for goOd-thev say he'd
ike 20 hear Of her death. for. all said
and done. Lord FaDshawe was fonder OF
her than he has ever been Of any other
girl for all he has fiirted so and played
fast and loose, and If she ever turned up
again. If IL was proved that she was In
nocent after all. why-the earl wouldn't
ike IT, you may b. sure. And In not
going 70 offend the earl"
10 BE CONTINUED NEXT sunday
Copyright, 1907. bv the Phlsdelptia North Amer
ican C0mIauyi