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

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wish you hadn't been born! I'll sue
you to- charge a gentleman with forg-
cry.
7FIs6, Hush!" said the marquis.
"It is all right, Mr.. Head. Pray take
no notice of my-my friend! he is
apt to get excited"
"Excited!--I should think SOL" ex-
claimed Mr.. Sinclair. Here have l
been dragged about like a common
thief, and treated worse than a dog,
and all for nothing! But I'll nave
the law on them! I'll teach themT"
Eyes, yes," sid the marquis, sOoth-
ingIy. pray withdraw, gentlemen"
The detective, looking rather puz-
zled, bowed and was leaving the
room, when Mr.. Head said, gravely:
What we did was in pursuance
of our duty, my lord. Will you not
look at the check, and see if we had
not reason for suspicion?" and he
placed the check on the table.
The marquis took it up, and car
rying it to the window, appeared to
examine it. .....
"Quite right" he said, quietly; nit
is the marchioness' signature"
Mr.. Head looked at him with grave
surprise.
Indeed, my lord" he said; q
can only say that it is unlike her
ladyship's usual signature-Ifke, and
vet unlike. I have brought down
some passed cheC'-s to show the
difference"
The marquis waved them aside.
signatures often differ, Mr. Heau,"
he said, with suppressed Impotence.
"You will allow me to know her
Iadyship's handwriting when I see
it," and he smiled a CHASTITY smile.
Mr.. Head bowed.
81 beg your pardon, my lord" he
said. There only remains for me to
apologize to this gentleman" and
he bowed to Mr.. Sinclair. -.
mo, you DON'T" he snarled. Il
don't accept any apology! I'm go
ing to make you pay for this! Both
of you! I'll bring an action against
the bank"
Mr.. Head looked at him with thin
Unveiled contempt.
"You will use your discretion in
that matter, sir, he said. Il wis
you good-day. l offer you my apol-
ogies, my lord, for giving you so
much trouble"
Don't mention it, Head. Much
obliged to you" said the marquis.
Mr.. Sinclair slipped out, casting
glance at Harry Herne and the mar
quis, and the other two were follow
ing when Lucille appeared at the
door.
She was dressed in black and
wore a thick veil, and for moment
she stood as if too benumbed to ad-
vance or retreat, and at that mo-
ment Mr.. Head recognized her.
"Oh, my lady," he said; you have
come at an opportune moment for
me. l have made a grievous mis-
take, but l shall be deeply grateful
to you if you will help me to show
that it was not an unnatural one.
Will your ladyship kindly glance at
that check and tell me that it is
unlike your usual signature?
Lucille raised her veil, and stood
white and wan in the center of the
room.
Check" she said, family, as If
she had scarcely understood
Yes" said Mr. Head, gently, but
insistently There it is" and he
placed it in her trembling hand.
She took it and looked at it.
There was a breathless moment OF
silence, during which Harry drew
near to her, and between the rest
and the door.
Lucille looked at it for moment,
then put her hand to her brow, and
handed the check back with a weary.
listless gesture.
q know nothing of it," she said.
Mr.. Head colored.
''You-you know nothing? Your
ladyship did not sign it?'
No she said, in the same weary
tone: 81 never saw it beforei"