The Washington times., 1909-05-13
.rm all attention. DE-. Jordan, ;,

I I'm all attention, DR.. Jordan
But first. for my own comfort I want
Solemnly the old white-haired man
rose from his chair and crossed the
room to the tall. strong-faced politician,
watching him intently.
lily for many years. ne went on, 'since
long before Grace's father and mother
died?"
'T have, DIR. Jordan, and a good friend.
hope.
I'm going to ask you to help me
help them, Grace, and her aunt now,
because, in spite of the up-to-date ways
of politics, with which l am not ia
Iniliar. but to which suppose you have
TO bow, believe that you are an honest
man and will 90 all you can-and do It
| honorably-with no thought but of their
welfare"
Considerable sentimental rot about
that" thought the tall man, but I'm
straight enough" Aloud he said. TIL
do everything. DR., Jordan"
Listen, then. The death of her
child-or supposed chiId-news of
which was wired her by some
idiotic would-be friend, has com
pletely unhinged Grace Gordon's
mind. and she lies upstairs tonight a
raving maniac"
MY Godt" cried Black. then. his
own desires and the effect this news
would make on his actions coming
into his brain, he added, "but she is
curable?"
probably. If we car recover her
child, and IL is to do that have asked
your assistance"
''Then you do think that the baby
is still alive?"
''There can be no question of that.
have a confession to make to you;
have not been frank with you. We,
Mrs. Graham and /, have known for
some hours. and I knew when 1 saw
you last that such was probably the
case, but I did not know then what
do now, and also"-here the old man
had a hard struggle with his pride
and the deep-rooted confidence which
he had felt in Jim. And J." he con-
tinued. shave up till now placed great
reliance on some one who has proven
himself a poor-worse than tbat-an
evil thing"
"The lad Altony'
"Alton, Jim Alton" and even now
there was a dying spark of affection
behind the word
81 knew It. DR.. Jordan, from the
moment I saw him with Grace's bag"
"well." resumed the old man, try
| ing brave1y to become matter-of-fact
in his manner. "tlat bag gave US our
clue. Jim brought Il hack, you know,
and inside IT was found the babys
chain, which the infant had worn and
which Mrs. Graham is confident was
left here when she and Grace went
| to New York. OF course, there is but
, one explanation"
THAT Alton put it there. and. after
had apprehended him. forgot to take
1t out before he was forced to return
the bag?"
Exactly"
But why did he come back here at
ALP
/ Black hated to suggest anything which
might cast a doubt on tha probability OF
Jims guilt. but his leGal mind craved
the answer which he was sure DR.. Jor-
dan could give him"
Wait, I'm coming to that
''And where" went on Black. half
rising from his chair. where is Alton
now? He should be arrested"
There, Black. there you've caught me
in my criminal negligence. He's gone
gone, probably laughing up his sleeve al
an old mans credulity''
Gone" echoed Black. Gone. but
Quickly-'ft VIII be an easy matter To
trace him-and so find track OF the
child. But. Doctor Jordan. how could
you do it3 How could you let him stay
here-a relative. you said-relative?
"Oh, blame me, Black, I deserve II.
suppose; but it seeEied the only way
Grace took him, in her insanity. for hei
Il
! myself saw hts charred body