The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-07-29
CHAPTER ~.

The exigencies Of the story carry US
westward once more. The scene is
the San Francisco ONCE of Messrs.
Carboy. Passavant & Cozine. The
time, six weeks subsequent to the
funeral Of Andrew Meleen. There en-
tiers to the private room Of our old
friend. Phineas Carboy. certain
Roger Hews, who at sundry and divers
times acted in the capacity Of conf.
Dental agent for the Arm; even lit
tie detective work came occasionally
In his line; a quiet, sleek, unobtrusiye
sort Of fellow outwardly, straw-colored
IS to hair and closely trimmed whis-
kers. soberly dressed, aged about
thirty-five, agile as mountain cat,
shifty as red fox, and walking ad-
yertisement of the truth of that old
adage about still waters running
deeply.
when did you get back?" quoth
Mr.. Carboy. with a nod.
Last night, sir"
How did you find those matters In
Pennsylvania"
quite satisfactory, I should say.
Everything seems to be about as you
expected"
Concerning Mrs. Meleen. now:
Were you able to confirm her mar
rage and subsequent deceaseY
"The woman died on the 10th OF
October, IS, and was buried in Nanti.
coke township. / could find no record
Of her marriage to Mr.. Meleen."
These statements were perfectly true
-on their face.
And the child-what of the child p
There was no record OF either Its
birth or DEATH"
This was deliberate lie!
That's awkward" exclaimed Mr.
Carboy. "Meleen distinctly stated
that there was child. How do 20,
account for the Discrepancy"
VERY simply. II the mother diet
in travail and the child with her. al
inferred from your instructions
there might naturally have been nj
record Of the infants entrance int
or departure from the world. In al
likelihood the baby would not eyel
be named"
that's not altogether improbable.
assented the lawyer, scratching hi
nose. But the point Is a vital one
It II hardly likely that Meleen coul
have been mistaken In his belief. an
yet-Are you altogether sure Of you
tactsfs
Perfectly" was the unflinching r,
ply.
Which was lie number two.
ANY collateral evidence on the ma
ter. such a. neighborhood gossip Q
tho recollections of the Oldest inhab
tautY'
Nothing of the sort that coul
discover. said the unblushing Hew,
This was lie number three!
mo one seemed to remember Al
drew Meleen or his wife," he wer
on. lying glibly. (which is not su
prising II. as you led me to infer. b
was then only q common mineworke
and II, a. seems to be undisputed, b
never revisited the place"
True enough" Carboy admitted. H
had perfect confidence In Roger Hew
Who on more than one occasion ha
ssrved the Arm faithfully.
well. the way seems to be Gle,
for u to advertise for the missir
nephew or other next OF kin. Martt
Neleen, in all human probability. hi
preceded her brother across the Gre,
Divide"
Il should say that was the ne,
step. sir" rejoined Roger Hews
lsvel tones. as though the fact tn
twenty or thirty million dollars we
ct stake possessed for him no intere
ak al.
But that sleek exterior covered
seetAing volcano Of plot which hi
for its Attachment and its goal q
personal and private aggrandizeme
q Mr.. Roger Hews. In his report
Mr.. Carboy he had deliberately gu
pressed some facts and had cheerful
Ned about others. That he had tn
proved false to the trust reposed
him troubled his exceedingly rubbt
hke conscience not q whit He W
about 10 play the game Of his life.
was daring scheme. and might n
DaA OF UoStk cent - he admitt'
- Aansalf. Bot Il vas worth trying.
oensuhat to the surprise Of y