The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-16
Continusd.l WsT7!s7i::1I55'7

.'H (Continusd.l The committee would be compeI1ed to lake cognizance of the startling expo sure The people would demand full thrashing out of the obnoxious deal. Roxbury Medcroft's name was on ev- cry one's lip The Standard had profit Ed by securing a great ''beat.' The OdeIlCarneys looked at each other in wonder and perpIexity. What does 1t mean?'' asked the lady, her eyes narrowing.
 Look here, Agatha, this papers at least two days old. Now, how the devil can Medcroft be in London and Innsbruck at the same time. He was here day before yesterday, wasn't he? I'm so c'nfended unobserving''
 ~Yes, yes, he was here And this paper She paused irresolutely.
 Says he was there. 'Ran my word It's most uncanny. There's some mys- tery here"
 ~Tve got it, Carneyi This is not ROxbury Medcroft-" Good GawdP'
 'SThis explains everything. Heavens, Carneyl This fellow isis her lover! She's running about the country with him Ehe's''-
 heL 4ONC11 Od0S 0SdI, u0 4u<Ay have been so at one time, but he's the other One's lover now, take my word for 1t I say, 'pon my soul, this is a charming game your friends the Rod neys have let us into. They
 My frfendsi Yours, you mean!'' she retorted-
 'Oh. come nowg But let 1t go at that. They know, of course that this fellow Isn't her husband, and yet, by .gad, Agatha. they've gone about deliberate ly palming him off on us as the real Rrticle- They are actually sanctioning he whole''-
 ''Stop a moment, Carney interrupt ed his wife. 'NThe London chap may be the fraud. Let us go slow, my fear''
 ''Slow? How the devil can we go Blow in such fast company? No! This fellow is the fraud. And they knew 1t too. They all know 1t. They
 sfRubbishl You forget that the whole Rodney tribe Is up in arms because Medcroft is making love to his w1fe's S1ster. They're not assunding anything Ihere, let me tell you And he's not Edith's lover If he's not her husband, he's playing a part that she under stands and approves. And this-this, my dear Carney, may account for the imaginary orphanage of Tootles. Dear me. it's quite tangle."
 '1 shall telegraph my solicitors at once for definite news. They'll know whether the real Medcroft is in Lon don. and then-we1l, by love, Agatha, can't tell just wot steps I'll take in regard to these Rodneys.''
 He went into a long trade against The unfortunate Seattleites. as he call
 
 don't blame Mrs. Medcroft. If she's having an anair with this chap and ran pull the wool''1
 ''But she isn't having an affair with this chap" cried Mrs. Odell-Carney, her patience exhausted. She's having an affair with a chap in London, the one who writes. Good gracious! Of courseI Why, what fools we are. The real Medcroft is in London, and it is he who is writing the letters. How stupid of -me!''
 s.Aha!" eBeIained he trfumphantly "Of course, she's getting letters from her husband Why not? That's to be expected. But. by the everlasting shag- pat. do you suppose that her husband knows she's off here with another fel- low who masquerades as her husband NoI' He almost shouted it. tT've never nGdTQ OI auyIulnS 50 DEdZGA- Cad, what nerve these Americans havei Just to think of itr'
 q don't believe she is anything of the sort,'' declared his wife. She's as good as gold You can't fool me, Car ney. I know women.'
 Deuce take it, Agatha, so do I. And wot's more, I know men,
 4AThey're a poor lot, the kind you know. This pseudo Medcroft is not your kind. He's a very clever chap and a gentleman"
 ''Now, look here, Agatha, don't imag Inc that I'm going to be such a cad as to turn against 'em in their hour o1 trial. Not l. I'm more their friend than ever. I'll help 'em to get away from. here, and I'll bulldoze these Rod neys into holding their peace forever after. It's the Rodney dupltcity that l can't stand"
 Shall we stay here, or shall we find an excuse to Ieave?'' she asked point edly.
 wen stay long enough for me tC tell the Rodneys wot I think of 'em I'll have an answer to my dispatch by night. Then I should advise you tc have a talk with Mrs. Medcroft. You've invited her to the house, you know Tell her there can't be two Medcrofts See wot mean? We'1l see lem through Fhis, but-wen, you understand
 CHAPTER XII.
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