The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-09


 the Sea Gull is.''
 esNo doubt" I coincided, tired of his threats and awakened to the fact that this quarrel was not likely to help our chances But for a few minutes it will be worth your while to listen to me am not defending this woman from anything but unnecessary in sults If she has deceived me want to find it out. If you are Philip Hen ley, as you claim to be, you must have evidence to prove it. Convince me that her assertions are false and you will not find me unreasonable.
 s'Gordon Craig, do you mean
 turned to her, steeling myself to look into her appealing eyes.
 q have been honest with you from the beginning interrupted abruptly, Now, if I discover that your state ments are false, the inducements are all the other way. am q soldier of fortune.'
 Henley laughed, the sound grating harshIy on my nerves, yet made no movement of protest as he stepped silently back to his desk. was no longer afraid of the fellow, even all though he might have a weapon con- cealed in one of the drawers, for knew I had drawn his fangs. This open avowal, on my part was sufficient to convince one of his stripe that [ was concerned only with my own in. terests- His words confirmed my Judgment.
 well said, my man. Now we begin to understand each other. Of course i I have the proofs. I would be a fool to sit in such a game without win ] ming hand. Sit down, both of you, while we talk this over There is no reason why the three of us should not be friends, provided you are sensible
 "But-but I am his wife, she panted to me indignantly. Philip Hen1ey's wife. I-I showed you our certificate.'s A fake, g forgery, asserted the 1 other roughly, before could find voice. You had 1t framed up all right if you had never run across me. l Bhow me the paper"
 | seI cannot, for it is not here. I placed l it in my valise back at that house. She stepped forward with hands held 1 out toward me But you know-Go l don Craig, you know. could not have forged that. I had not time; no infor- 1 nation which would have led to such l an act. You tell him so.'
 l q hardly think he will, madam re- i turned the captain shortly, evidently feeling it better not to let me speak. ssAnd there Is no use going on with l this any farther. Answer me ques- ton or two, that is all When did you first tell Craig you were Philip Hem ley's wife?"
 clfnched my hands at the bewil- dered embarrassment in her eyes.
 Ut was after we came here, when l was frightened, and felt that must confess the truth III had begun to trust him
 :.oh, indeed, and you failed to tell him at first because you did not trust him.
 Partially that-yes. Although do not think the name Henley was even mentioned during our first interview. I am sure did not realize 1t was my husbands father who was dead until A later.'
 Exactly: you picked up strange man on the street, agreed to go off on | a criminal mission with him, and now expect us to believe you perfectly in nocent of any wrong intent
 That will be, enough,' interrupt ed, unable to remain quiet any longer. tsThe motives of the woman and how we chanced to meet are no concern of 1 yours If you are Philip Henley, prove it, and let it go at that. I have told you plainly enough where I stand.
 Just as you say, Craig directing 1 an easy good nature That is per 1 fectly agreeable to me. However, as it makes no difference what the late Mrs. Henley thinks. we will dismiss her from the case and settle the affair ! quietly between ourselves. I have got 1 a proposition which will interest you" i He touched a button, and heard the e,I3e s,f 11ea1I instantly the door in the cabin opened. That you, Peters? Conduct the wo- man back to her stateroom, lock the door and bring me the key
 He bent forward, searching for something in pigeonhole to his right, and I caught her eyes, touching my lips with my fingers to signal silence, while an inclination of the head told her to go without resistance. The swift change of expression on her face proved her instant comprehen- sion, as, without uttering a word of protest, she turned and disappeared Peters returned with the key. Hen ley dropped 1t into his. pocket.
 ''That will be alls'' he said. .sYou can go.'
 As the door closed again behind Pc ters, the fellow rose to his feet and held out his hand ssYou are the kind I like, Craig,'' he said cordially. "At first had nqy doubts about you and no doubt, have been harsh. Did you see her face when you first sided fl with me? She wilted completely Vel, tl4ese will make the rest easy Sit down again, and will explain what want you for. The legal pa pers which absolutely establish my identity as Philip Henley are in tho hands of lawyers who represent mt at Carrollton. The case will not come up for adjudication for several week: yet" speaking slowly and with care fuI choice of words, "but my conten
 ton as heir to the property is thor oughly. esta tablished. It had to be, for