Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-28
} A Woman's Enchantnent
By WILLIAM LIE QUEUX.
e


Copyright. 1909. by William lie Queuxo

mechanical, for my gaze had been fixed
immovably upon her.
You know something OF Garshore." 1
said Tell me-
II happen TO know a good deal about
him she said hoarsely "A good deal
which he still believes to be his own
secret
Then explain it all. do. l am anxious
to know. If | know the truth it may
save Granny"
"Ah, ! fear you cannot do that, she
replied, with deep sigh of blank de-
81 air
I'VE must try our best. Miss May
nard | urged. What do you know
concerning Garshore?"
Alas. l know him well she answered
in bitter tone. He once pretended
pretended to love me-and | believed him.
Ours a secret love-unknown to my
mother-but curious circumstance which
arose caused the scales to fall from my
| eyes. trusted friend. a relation. made
| inquiries on my behalf, and their result
exposed the amazing truth concerning
| that man.
.'Wello''
THE police have not vet identified
Ralph Garshore as Arthur Rufford. bach
| elor of arts. financier headmaster of q
| college and master forger.'
| Forger.' | cried. rs he really no.
| torious criminal"
Most certainly she replied. bending
| forward to me in confidence. Under half
/
| scoundrel of marvellous ingenuity
| Gentleman born, arstocrat to the finger
| tips, the fortunate pOsSeSSOr of an educa-
| ton derived from Harrow and Oxford, q
| hrst-class shot-such is one side of Ralph
| Garshore. On the other, he is a clever.
INSCRIPTIONS scoundrel. with a wealth
of resource and invention, combined with
measureiess pluck and nerve. which have
earned for him a reputation as a master
criminal. Two years ago he declared his
love for me. We first met at the
Stapletons. and 1 believed his pretty
speeches. and listened to his declaration OF
love. But year later l found I had
been grossly deceived" she went on with
quick. angry flash in her dark eyes
His real name was Cecil Willoughby,
and it was originally intended that he
should read for the church. But religion
had no attraction for him, and he enter
| ed the city, where he soon became as
eager and keen as the veriest Shyio0k to
make money. But the ordinary methods
| of the city were too slow for him. and
very soon he was at work forging. A.
year later he was first arrested Forged
| shares and notes forged cheques. forged
| leases and forged kilograms were his
! stock-in-trade. He would forge anything.
and in that single year must have amass-
| ed quite a respectable sum-"
How do you know all this?" I queried.
seated in my chair, still watching her.
in fascination.
From my brother-in-law, who CHANGED
to have old schoolfellow in a RESPONSE
BILE position at Scotland Yard. There they
know Arthur Rufford too well. but have
not yet identified him with Garshore. 7
alone have elected the truth.
Then YOU hold him in the hollow OF
your hand,''
Would that did she cried. HE 10.
| alas! too cautious for that
Then. continuing. she related to ma
an amazing story of Ralph Garshores
past How, when in prison.. on one oc-
casion he evolved scheme by which
q t,n
about 910000. with an expenditure of
about $50. His plan was to operate
upon a number of London banks on the
same day. Previously he decided to open
obtain cheque-books. Then dozens of let
tiers were to be written to various firms
of solicitors regarding legal advice. and
Rufford intended to use their signatures
on the replies to forge checks. IT.
needed only one accomplice. who. on a
day To be arranged to GO round
to the various banks, cash the checks.
and collect the money: This scheme
one of the biggest ever knowrl--was, how
ever. frustrated by the sudden illness OF
his accomplish.
After his release from prison he went
down to Bristol where he started bank
with $50. Offering his clients : per
cent interest. He secured splendid prem
misses. fitted them deliberately. engaged
staff o. clerks, with the result that
depostors fiocked to his doors. and very
soon he had e2o.OOO on his books War
rants were, however, out on other in
dictments, and Rufford thought II high
time to again make himself scarce.
He instructed an auctioner from LON
don, named Westall. to come down and
sell the fiXings of the place. When he
arrived he was met by the banker"
who cooly told him he was going to
bolt. II have discharged all the
clerks. he said. and with a wave OF
his hand ne added, II will give you the
whole lot. iie also handed Westall
go to enable him To remove the stock
to town. and said he had given all his
employees handsome money presents
Was he arrested for this" j asked.
astounded at the remarkable story VI
fraud.
Not for that offense." she replied.
But for something else - something
which has close connection with the
present tragedy. she added in deep
earnestness. Listen. Mr.. Ralston. and
viii tell you of a fact which will. no
doubt. surprise YOU
tTo be continued tomorrow