The Lamar register., 1914-07-22
Gordon Craig
CONTINUED from Page -


evidence to prove it. Convince me
that her assertions are false and you
will not find me unreasonable"
Gordon Craig, do you mean
1 turned to her. steeling myself to
look into her appealing eyes.
II 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. l am soldier OF
fortune"
Henley laughed, the sound grating
harshly on my nerves, yet / made no
movement Of protest as he stepped
silently back to his desk. l was no
longer afraid Of the fellow. even al
though he might have a weapon con-
cealed in one Of the drawers. for l
knew ! 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
l have the proofs. ! would be 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 am his wife" she painted
to me Indignantly. philip Henley's
wife IL showed you our certificate"
"A fake, forgery" asserted the
other roughly. before i could ind
voice. "You had 1t framed up all
right. II you had never run across me.
Show me the paper"
Il cannot for 1t is not here. placed
1t In my valise back at that house"
She stepped forward with hands held
out toward me But you know-Gor-
don Craig. you know. could not have
forged that. had not time; no infOr-
nation which would have led to such
an act. You tell him So"
81 hardly think he will. madam" re-
turned the captain shortly. evidently
feeling 1t better not to let me speak.
"And there Is no use going on with
this any farther. Answer me q Ques-
ton or two, THAI Ii all. When did you
nrst tell Craig you were Philip Hen
ley's wifeT
clinched my hands at the bewt-
dered embarrassment in her eyes.
TT was after we came here, when
I was frightened, and felt that l must
confess the truth. IL 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 l DO
not think the name Henley was even
mentioned during our nrst interview.
l am sure did not realize 1t was my
husbands father who was dead until
later"
Exactly; you picked up q strange
man on the street. agreed to 60 Oh on
q criminal mission with him, and now
expect US to believe you perfectly In
nocent Of any wrong intent"
That will be enough" i interrupt
ed. unable to remain quiet any longer.
The motives of the woman and how
We CHANGED to meet are no concern OF
yours. II you are Philip Henley.
prove 1t. and let 1t go at that. 1 have
told you plainly enough where l
stand"
Just as you say, Craig" affecting
an easy good nature. That Is per-
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
a proposition which will interest you"
He touched button. and heard the
sharp tingle of a bell outside. Almost
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 a pigeonhole to his right.
and ! 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 word OF
protest, she turned and disappeared
Peters returned with the key. Hen
ley dropped 1t into his pocket.
THAT will be ALL" he said You
can CO."
As the door closed again behind Pc
tiers. the fellow rose to bis feet and
held out his hand. You are the kind
ltlro Nroy1v ho said cordially "At