The Detroit times., 1915-08-10
1.-THE AVALANCHE"
A Serial Mystery Story of
Absorbing Interest


but III try to believe It,"
"vsry WE'LL" said Treverton curt
ly. I'm listen to you"
He flung himself into q chair and
folded his arms across his chest
Haig remained standing.
II did meet lady that night"
said the latter after few moments
Of silence. "snd we motored to Cav
thorpe. That lady was my wife"
"Your wife? You can't expect me
to believe that"
well. it's true. We had been
married for three years. We mad
separated. She came down here,
stayed at this very inn. and we
made It up again"
what was she like!"
about the same build as your
wife--dark hair and eyes. 1t Is pos
sible the chauffeur may have mis-
taken her for your wife. She wore
thick veil"
Treverton laughed contemptuous-
ly. Il should like some evidence"
he said.
Haig put his hand in his pocket
and pulled out slip of paper.
"A copy OF the marriage certifi-
| cate" he said. and he handed the
paper to Treverton. The document
seemed genuine enough. Richard
Haig had been married to woman
Of the name OF Joan Carbery at a
registry once in Liverpool three
years before the date OF Haigs de-
parture for Central Africa.
This proves nothing" said Trev-
erton. 1T certainly does not prove
that you did not elope with my
wife"
"You can interview the landlord
OF this inn. He will. I daresay, re-
member that MISS Joan Carbery
| stayed here about that time, and
that she left here on the same day
that left the Mowbrays. His
books will. probably show the
| dates"
Didn't your chauffeur know your
wife by sight?"
He'd never set eyes on her
never knew l was married."
Some one must have known.
Why did no one come forward when
the case came before the courts :?
Advertisements were placed in all
the papers"
"Only two people knew I was mar.
ried. ] dare say they didn't see
the advertisements. and II they did
they thought no more about IT. A
married man Is not above running
away with another mans wife"
Treverton rose to his feet. There
Is good deal to be explained" he
said coldly. There Is the evidence
Of two letters-one written from the
Hotel Splendid in Paris. You
stayed there. didn't your"
Yes. | did. Well. know moth
ing about the letters. didn't write
them"
Where Is your wife?"
I'm her bedroom. Would you like
to see herr
Yes, should"
Haig left the room, and returned
in less than a minute with q TALL
dark-haired woman. She was OF the
same type as Alice Treverton, and
might hare been mistaken for her
by people who did not know either
very well. She had the same hard,
beautiful face, the same grace and
slenderness OF form. and she was
about the same age.
This is Mr.. Treverton," said
Haig. I'm afraid he does not be-
lieve my story. Perhaps you can
convince him that II Is true"
Treverton bowed. and Mrs. Haig
scrntinixed him for few seconds
without speaking. Then she smiled
Perhaps. Mr.. Treverton," she
said slowly. you will believe me. I
am hardly likely to defend my hus-
band II he deserted me for another
woman"
Treverton colored. "The story
does not sound very probable" he
said colby. But, of course, I am
not really in position to say that
1t Is untrue until have examined
the evidence"
you shall have the opportunity"
said Haig dryly. II suppose you
think it's nothing to me or my wife
that you've dragged my name
through the dirt. But you'll find
you're mistaken. I'll have my name
cleared In q court OF law
Treverton WINGED, and a look OF
fear came into his eyes. He was
thinking Of his wife.
MAY I ask you few questions ?"
he said, looking at Mrs. Haig.
20. certainly.>> Mr.. Treverton.
Won't you sit down! There is no
need for us to quarrel. Is there?
Dick 10 rather hot-tempered and you
must forgive him. or course, we
are terribly upset by this shocking
scandal. I don't profess to under
stand how the mistake arose, but
I'm sure II was q mistake. Now,
Dick, don't scowl at Mr.. Treverton.
There II nothing to be gained by
making q scehe. am all for peace,
am I not"
She seated herself In a chair and
clasped her hands on her knees.