New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01

fiction. They were all inscribed with the
name Larrabcc Damon, written IN flo"iilg'
confident hand.
The new Larrabee Damon was writing
with his left hand; for his right hand was
still too stiff to be used with comfort. More
over. he had a shrewd suspicion that ne was
ambidextrous. For few minutes he prac-
tiscd copying the signature OF the man he
was Understanding. and, while his imitation
was promising, it was little more than that;
He knew that he would have to work hard
10 achieve a passable forgery. And II TINS
one detail was difficult, there might be Others
that would call for just as hard work he
must rise dashingly, rather than by iapor
such as was cntaled in taking on another
mans chirography.
When ne had gone through the books IN
the living room, and examined the prints
and hangings, 50 as to learn what some Oh
his tastcS were. ne went into a small smoking
and writing room adjoining and sat down
before the rolltop desk. here henderson
found him Eliminating.
"Upon my word" said Damon, 81 feel al
most like a thief, first taking another man
name and some Of his money, and now sitting
here on the point Of breaking into his desk.
"You might look at it this way: that the
sooner Won break into that desk the sooner
we'll be able to start after Larrabee ana give
him back everything"
Henderson and the japanese broke the
lock. and Damon rolled back the cover. he
desk was not very well illed, ana thc COLI
tents were in disarray.
"He left in hurry" said Henderson. 81
can believe it. considering the way | saw
| 1 Il, Con Franc
\ good many Of the papers were recciptcd
bills for clothes and wine and tobacco. mere
were half dozen calling cards. some OF
them duplicated So
81 can't tell YOU ANYTHING about them,
said Henderson. when Damon looked at HIM
|inquiringly. ave no idea what your social
connections are in New York. There are
two more stuck in a corner.
Damon dragged these out, and found they
were inscribed, Mr. William Wallace.
"Ahal" said Damon. pleased. AT least
this proves that Wallace and | know each
other. We may even know each other well;
for YOU see these cards are worn. Probably
Wallace got 10 be on such intimate terms
with me that he didn't leave cards when he
called.
ale must be a lilable young man, since
Mrs. Bcldon receives him..
"Not to me, thought Damon. He pushed
aside the calling cards, adding, "Corrigan
will doubtless be Of Use in letting me know
whom | know"
"What's that heavy thing under that heap
of open letters" asked Henderson.
|DAMON burrowcd in the pile, and drew
- out large photograph in silver frame.
It was the picture Of a girl of great beauty.
She was standing by a window. as il she had
lust turned from having looked out. and he
Judged by her relation to the window and a
chair by it that she was tall. Evidently she
was fair. with luxuriant hair ripping back
from a wide forehead. Her nose and mouth
were delicate and pretty.
"What Il lovely creature, exclaimed Hen
dcrson.
SIS she not" Damon responded, trie
less enthusiastically
II wonder who she is"
81 must ike her very well. or shouldn't
have her in such an expensive frame. said
Damon. I'll stick her up on top Of the
desk. and SOC what else there is. For all
know. may have whole harem Of photo
graph.
They soon forgot the portrait. because
they came upon another picture which
seemed Of extreme importance in their search
for the lost Larrabcc Damon. II was the
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