Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-14

'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 'Evyen's sake"
Lucille let her eyes rest upon the
check. again.
TT is not my signature, she said
in the same low, sad voice.
Are you sure? Be careful, Lu-
cille!" said the marquis, frowning
at her significantly.
She raised her proud, sad eyes to
his face.
81 did not write it." she said, in
the same slow voice. us 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
me! 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
ouis and marchioness in this way?
Why did you give all this trouble,
eh?" and he gave Mr.. Sinclair's arm
little shake.
Mr.. Sinclair flew around at him
white with passion.
Don't do that! What? You think
I'm a prisoner, I supposed"
81 do, indeed" said the detective
$50 come along quietly, there's
good fellow; you have caused trou-
bic enough" .....
Mr.. Sinclair, drew back, and jerk
ed his arm free.
What? I'm to be made a scape-
goat of, am I? he cried. L tell
you | didn't forge the check-I'm
as innocent as that gentleman there"
and he pointed to Mr.. Head.
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"
81 don't care about that! I've
got nothing to be afraid of! Where
did 1 get that check from? Why"
he stopped suddenly, and glanced at
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 Si1-
clair, sullenly. whats the use OF
keeping it back, marquis?" he said.
ct will have to come out"
MI. Head looked at the marquis.
in fact, all eyes were turned upon
him.
With a slow, grave smile, his lord
ship shrugged his shoulders.
'That is not true" he said; 81
never saw the check before"
Mr.. Sinclair literally gasped for
breath.
"Never-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.
"You didn't?" Mr.. Sinclair almost
howled. ooh, I see how you meant
to work it! This is a trap, is it?
A 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
fort"
The marquis raised his white hand;
it was steady now as rock.
''I think" he said, chat Mr.. Sin
clair is laboring under a mistake.
1t is an awkward one, but I fancy
I 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 rem&in?" he murmured.
Are you strong enough
She looked at him.
To be continued.