Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-10-13
CHAPTER xxxV.

CHAPTER xxxV.
Il know nothing about it, never
saw it before said Lucille, looking
j from the check in her hand to the
faces around her.
Harry's fingers sought the key of
the door and gently turned it.
Softly as the action was performed,
Mr.. Sinclair's ears caught the click
of the loca, and he made a step to-
ward the marquis, his face white
with fear and passion.
whats the meaning of this?" he
demanded Dye hear, marquis, what
| 'er ladyship says THAT she's never
seen that check before? Isn't that
what you say, my lady? That it
amt your signature? Look at it
again, my lady, for 'Evvens sake!"
! Lucille let her eyes rest upon the
check again.
ut is not my signature" she said
in the same low, sad voice.
Are you sure? Be careful, Lu
cille!" said the marquis, frowning
at noT SISulHCdully.
She raised her proud, sad eyes to
his face.
81 did not write it, she said, in
the same slow voice. rs it posi-
BILE that l could have forgotten it?"
The detective moved softly toward
Mr.. Sinclair and laid hand upon
his sleeve.
.Let me alone!" cried that gentle
man. "You keep your hands off
lme! If it's a forgery, and it's bound
to be, if her ladyship says so, sup
pose, I'm not the guilty party. You
don't suppose 1 forged it, do your
The detective smiled.
"That remains to be proved" he
said, quietly. 'Why did you drag
us down here and annoy the mar
quis and marchioness in this way?
Why did you give all this trouble,
eh?'' and he gave Mr.. Sinclair's arm
a little shake.
Mr.. Sinclair flew around at him
white with passion.
Don't do that! What? You think
I'm a prisoner, supposed"
Il do, indeed" said the detective.
so come along quietly, there's a
good fellow; you have caused trou-
BILE enough"
Mr.. Sinclair, drew back, and jerk
ed his arm free.
sWhat? I'm to be made a scape-
goat of, am I? he cried. Il tell
you I didn't forge the check-I'm
as innocent as that gentleman there, :
and he pointed to Mr.. Heao.
Mr.. Head looked at him.
"Where did you get that check
from?" he asked. 'Wait Remem-
Der that anything you say will be
used against you
Il don't care about that! I've
got nothing to be afraid Of Where
did l get that check from? Why
he stopped suddenly, and glanced a.
the marquis, whose steely eyes were
fixed upon him warningly.
Mr.. Head watched him carefully.
"Where did you get it?,,' he asked.
From the marquis, said Sd
clair, sullenly. Whats the use OF
keeping it back, marquis?" he said.
ut will have to come out"
Mr.. Head looked at the marquis ),
in fact, all eyes were turned upon
him.
| With slow. grave smile, his lord
ship shrugged his shoulders.
eThat is not true" he said; Il
never saw the check before"
Mr.. Sinclair literally gasped for
breath.
/ 'sNever-never saw it before?" he
gasped. "You didn't give it to me?'
certainly not" said the marquis,
who had been making up his MIND
to throw Mr. Sinclair over-for the
present at any rate.
'sYou didn't" Mr.. Sinclair almost
howled 'fOh, see how you meant
Ito work it! This is a trap, is it?
Ia trap! Very well, marquis! Now,
you listen to mel" and he swung
around to Mr.. Head. 81 say he did
give it to me, and I'll tell YOU what
for!''
The marquis raised his white hand;
| it was steady now as rock.
81 think" he said, that Mr.. Sin
clair is laboring under a mistake.
1t is an awkward one, but l fancy
II could set it right. Will you leave
him to me for few minutes, please?
lucille. go to your room; this is no
place for you"
Lucille moved to the door, but
Harry stepped to her side and laid
his hand gently on her arm.
"Can you remsin?" he murmured-
Are you strong enough"
To be continued.