The Washington times., 1912-11-04

v postmaster's confession, and
that the man was in jail.
Like many other men in
basilton. he was owned by Pancoast-
body and soul Those French Canadians
all seem to have the mortgage living
habit, haven't they? Well. this postmas s.
Ter held up your letters and those adj
dressed to you by your wife. When that
Sa'eV draft on a Canadian bank got into
Pancoasts hands. he pocketed II. No.
ne never made any attempt to have t
cashed. In his way, he IL an honest
thief"
And it was Pancoast who spread the
rumor of my death?'
Yes. Quillan says"
who has been employing Quillan and
Ward in my INTEREST,""
81 have"
"You?"
fes-merely as your representative
that's all. Tou'll have to foot the bill.
and I'm afraid 1t will cost you a pretty
penny. You have only yourself to blame.
however. If you hadn't acted the part
OF Frenchman SO we'll when Ward was
in Basiton-"
He was working in your-in my In
Ierest. then. at the time | met him in
Basilton?" ~
Yes"
Rylance sank back in his chair and
passed trembling hand over his face,
Had you allowed Ward to take Won
men you would have saved from $1,000
10 s-oVVV-the amount that our subse-
4uent eforts to find you will cost" said
kirkwood.
But you-you. I thought you were in
prison "
II was, but they let me out"
Rylance looked at him with 1uzzled
You think $4,000 was too much for
oh! no; and before the world is
iu"ehty -tour hours older you shall have
The smile left Klrkwood's lips, and his
prise.
You will pay?" he exclaimed.
why, yes. Up in the Klondlke
dldnt do as well as some OF the other
chaps | knew. But made a little strike
that landed me about slO0,OoO."
kirkwood's face grew longer and
there was a queer. trembling movement
OF his lips He paused. then. leaning
forward with elbows on his knees, he
looked meditatively at his pipe bowl.
he said gravely. Things viii never
come my way like that"
claimed
Yes. Your uncle, John Isbister
really was a long-headed man, after ali
as certain events have proved. The
stock he held in that Mexican mine that
broke him Is gilt-cdge now. His debts
nave all been liquidated, and his hold
lhSs ana those In your name are worth
more than $l0,UN,OO0.
BY his will all his property was left
10 you and your sister. Your sister !
Shsre was to revert to you in the event
Rylance rose slowly to sitting pos
ture. and his form grew rigid HIS ewes
had suddenly lost their lustcr. lie did
not speak, and several moments later,
back again.
krkwood. watching him apprehensIve-
)y. went on:
1T was because / knew that, IL you
were still alive, this fortune would be
yours that have allowed a friend of
yours-one whom you have never seen
to supply funds for my search for
"A friend whom I have never seenw
Tom Ridgeley's sister"
Rylance's brow contracted, and with
muttered exclamation, he arose.
can stand no more OF this, Kirk
wood, he muttercd. "One of us is
The evidence OF your sisters mar
rage is incontrovertible," said Kirk
wood. TT has been proved, too. that
as her husband died before she died,
she had dover right in the estate"
Rylance, again sinking into his chair.
gazed at the speaker blankly. Kirk
wood went on.
Let me go back a little bit. That
Rdgeley charge was, of course, the
most serious of all that were made
against you. AS hardly as you NAV
think Of me afterward. | must tell YOU
that for several weeks | thought YOU
committed the deed. Three months az
ter you left, however. the light began
10 break.
old Ross. the superintendent Of the
Leeds police, hating me as he did for
letting you 60 came to me one day
while ! was In prison. He had found
some letters you had left behind YOU In
your room. One. which was unsigned
was Identified as having been written
by the hand OF Ridgcey. This directed
you to meet him at the mill. Ross OBJ.
tained from Ridgelcy's mother permls.
sion to go through the papers of hel
son. ltoss was completely staggered by
what he found
Three months before the death OF
Mary Rylance, RIdgcly. representing
himselt as single man, had wed a
young woman to whom he had been
paying considerable attention. He was
bigamist."
kirkwood paused and looked thought.
rveted on his face.
ward went to this young woman
and found that despite the fact thai
she knew the terrible charge that haG
been made against an innocent man
she had failed to give to the police a
letter that would clear up the mystery
OF the young mans death. In this let,
ter Rldgeley confessed how he haG
wronged her.
He also told her that Mary Rylance's
brother had said that unless he ac.
knowledged his first marriage he would
reveal circumstances that had to dc
with the performance Of th" ceremony
In conclusion. he begged frrri,annu,