Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-06-17
HA WILEY SMART
4@EGHM M N u NJ MR
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CHAPTER XXI.
Asshsr .i ''Broksn Bonds" Bound to VIM

Jack Philimore weuded his way to the
Temple. Lord Lakington had accorded
him this much. that his friend Ringwood
might go down to Rydland as the Wis
counts representative and see Mr.. Krabbe,
whom Mr.. Pegram candidly avowed to be
his nominee in the Great Tontine."
1T Is wild chance" thought Jack,
"and l suppose, as such, ought to be
tried but | am afraid it is little likely
that Ronald will discover anything that
may prevent this marriage. They will
show him Mr.. Krabbe just as they show
ed me Mr.. Krabbe, and he will know that
1t is not the real man, but what is the
use of that? We cannot prove it. He
may make any amount of inquiries be
likes in Rydland, and they will all tell
him the same story-that Mr.. krabbe
lives in that cottage, and has done so
ever since he broke down and became past
work Ringwood will feel sure, as ne Is
now, that all these people have been bam-
boozled by the Pegrams. But there, again,
neither my uncle nor anybody else-bar
Hemmingby-wil believe us. | declare,
If Ringwood declines to go l shall really
not be able to blame him.
"You never called here, and conse-
ouently never got my note said Ring
wood as he welcomed his visitor; Il left
a line for you. What did you do In
'Wales?"
Worse than nothing. L doubt very
much whether, under any circumstances,
1t was possible ever to have done any
thing. Hemmingby was quite right: l
did not impose upon him as the sailor
one bit. And yesterday | followed your
advice and went and saw my uncle, and
that was not bit of use either; that
confounded old Welsh villain had written
up a most plausible account of our inter-
view, owning, with affected candor, that
his nominee was Mr.. Krabbe, begging my
uncle to send anybody he liked to see and
inquire into his identity. The marriage
takes place next week, and | see no hope
of exposing the Pegrams before that, un-
less you think you are likely to make
anything out of your interview with old
Krabbe."
my interview with old Krabbe What
do you mean!'
"I forgot to tell you. Cinging to what
seems to be my last chance, | persuaded
my uncle to take Pegram at his word, and
send some one down to Rydland to see
this nominee of him. You must try
Ringwood you are sharper than me- and
may detect the fraud, ceverly as it has
been contrived'
II doubt whether l should make more
of it than you did; but | will own to
feeling a curiosity to see the impersonator
of a man whom we firmly believe to be
dead, on insufficient grounds though it
may be- Still, l have a bit Of real good
news for you: you will have to see Lord
IAkington again, and think | can prom
Use you that you will find him then quite
as keen to break off this marriage as you
can wish
} you speak in riddles"
Terence Finnigan is found"
, "What. Miss Caterham's missing nom
inee Are you quite sure it is the right
man."
quite. l went down to Portsmouth
yesterday with Miss Chichester to see
him. She identified him at once
"Hurrah :" exclaimed Jack, springing
from his chair, and pacing the room with
rapid strides in his excitement with
q third person in it, their arrangement be-
comes impossible. 1t insures the wedding
being put off, at all events; and we shall
learn the truth about Pegram's nominee
before long, | have no doubt. BY the
way, l suppose you will hardly go down
to see him now"
II do not know: you must remember
that am acting for Miss Caterhams heir
as we'll as endeavoring to help you. |
should like to consult Hemmingby about
it,"
Come along, then; let US run across
and tell him the news"
The two young men proceeded at once
to the "Vivacity," and after some little
delay were shown into the managers sane
tum. Mr.. Hemmingby listened with great
interest to Ringwood's story of the dis
ccvery of Finnigan. He roared with
laughter at Jacks account Of his inter
view with old Pegram.
II tell you what, Ringwood," said the
manager at length, Il have an idea about
this ! should like to take advantage of
your going down as Lord Lakington's ac-
credited agent to accompany you, and see
Mr.. Krabbe myself You see, knew the
old man for many years; and though
have strong suspicion that whoever they
have got in that cottage is not the real
man, yet | am curious to see an imitation
which is 50 good that il has undoubtedly
deceived many people who knew him
quite well. | have another reason, which
] have never mentioned to you as yet.
When | endeavored to see him, | was
very much struck with the nurse who
takes care of him. with the idea that |
had seen her before, and in a very differ
ent capacity. You go down tomorrow,
call upon them that afternoon, and ar
range to pay your visit about midday;
never trouble about me f; / shall turn up
as Won knock at the cottage door. As for
YOU. Mr.. Phillimore, you will, of course,
Inform the Viscount that the 'Tontine' is
not reduced to a match yet; and, conse-
uuently, the dividing of the stakes not at
present practicable"
lord Iakington was not little dis
turbed by the announcement the next
morning that Mr.. Phillimore wanted to
see him. He felt quite certain that this
Interview with his nephew was not like
ly to be a pleasant one. No sooner did
JaGk Phillimore make his appearance
than the Viscount hastened to exclaim
pray sit down. Delighted to see you.
of course: but trust that you have
not come to reopen yesterdays conversa-
ton. 1t is impossible you can have heard
a.xthin- from Rydlaud as yet, nor likely