Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-15

inquired Henderson.
1.-TWO crooks can do better even than one" sneered
Wallace. There will be plenty of time to look you up.
Meantime I'm not done with the play-actor here
oh, nonsense! Sara recognizes me, don't you, Sara!
said Damon. "And Mrs Keene"
lit isn't your appearance that doubt" said
Sara woefuly, "but you to have changed inside
Only, know you haven't
What you talking about, Sara?' said Wallace IT.
ritably
Il feel sure Larrabee is Larrabee' put in Mrs.
Keene timidy.
Thank YOU Mrs. Keene, felt certain you would"
"Wel Sara?' said Wallace impatently
why. of course he's the same said Sara uncer-
tainy. II never would have doubted him if you had
not put it in my head Will
But, that have put it in your head, you do
doubt him. demanded Wallace triumphantly.
Il don't say that It's quite reasonable that his
ternal appearance could have been altered little It.
it's only that his is little harder don't
think he used to be $685.
If Wallace could impose on her credulty SO could
other people Damon thought.
"You think my manner is hard because of our recent
disagreement Sara" Damon said; "but just
we have talked have not referred to matters that no
earth knows anything about except you and me?
Eyes" said Sara. ooh, yes Will he has"
Its just his internal plausbility.' said Wallace
plosvely. "He almost fooled me yesterday.
wait. Sara" said Damon. "Get pen and III
write my for YOU
Mrs. Keene brought him a tray of pens, and he
lected of the sort with which he had practsed his
forgery the day before With his left hand he wrote,
quickly he dared in flowing confident hand, the
of Larrabee Damon.
Wallace scrutinized it carefully "a very good mita
ton he said, "and almost would let it convince
in spite of the SOwness with which you write it. if it
not for the fact that have other proof that you
not Larrabee Damon"
"Then for the Lords sake trot it out" said Damon
impatienty. II want my dinner, even if | am to be
deprived of my guests.
"You may remember" said Wallace. shat yesterday,
early in the afternoon, | met you just outside your
apartment introduced you to a man called Cheatham.
told you you knew him. spoke of your losing money
to him at bridge: He wasn't Cheatham at all He
never saw YOU before in his life. He is private detec-
tive have hired. And Larrabee Damon did not know
how to play bridge.
This was a poser for Damon to face; but he did it
easily.
"You mistaken about my not being able to play
bridge, Wallace" he said 81 could play it; but |
didn't because don't care to gamble. You may have
thought year ago that when | said | didn't play
bridge l meant I couldn't play. AS to Cheatham, I
grant you | didn't know him. My brain fever seems
to have left my memory weak. You and Sara Hender-
and Corrigan, people like that with whom l have
been much associated, recognized at but people
whom have met only casually likely to recall
at least at first Cheathams face meant nothing me-
but took him faith thinking the matter of nv non
recognition of him quite unimportant. The remark
about the losses at bridge thought your mistake,
not mine"
thought he had made the best of bad situation and
did Henderson But Wallace determined to re-
main unconvinced.
"You can't pull the wool over my eyes" he said IT
suspected you from the first"
ut is impossible for me to stand this any longer
said Damon abruptly AYou sleep on it. Wallace, and
by, Mrs Keene; goodby, Sara am sorry this should
have happened. Come, Henderson,.
WHEN they reached the street, Henderson hailed a
al suppose you teat out of town as fast
CAM questioned Damon.
I'D fly to San Francisco if that possible. From
the moment he mentioned this Cheatham device, |