Putnam patriot., 1915-02-19


 first tell Craig you were Philip Hen iey's wifeT'
 rlinched my hands at the bewil- dercd embarrassment in her eyes
 Ut was after We came here, when | was frightened, aud felt that must confess the truth l-l 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 first interview I am sure did not realize it was my husbands father who was dead until later !"
 Exactly: you picked up strange man on the street. agreed to go of 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. ..The motives of the woman and how we chanced to meet are no concern of yours. If you are Philip Henley, prove it. and let it 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. l have got proposition which will interest you" He touched button. and l heard the sharp jingle of a bell outside. Almost instantly the door in the cabin opened ''rhat 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 pigeonhoie to his right and l caught her eyes. touching my tips with nay fingers to signal silence. while an inclination ot the head told her to go without resistance. The swift change ot expression on her face proved her instant comprehen- sion. as. without altering a word of protest she turned and disappeared. Peters returned with the key. Hen ley dropped Ii into his pocket.
 .'That will be all, he said. You can 70
 As the door closed again behind Pc fers. the fellow rose te his feet and held out his nand You are the kind
 like. Craig. he said cordially. "At first 1 had my doubts about you and. no duuht. nave been harsh Did you see her face when you first sided in with me: She wilted completely Well, that will make the rest easy. Sit down again. and l will explain what l want you for The legal pa pers which absolutely establish my identity as Philip Henley are in the hands of lawyers who represent me at Carrollton. The case will not come up for adjudication for several weeks yet" speaking slowly and with care ful choice of words. but my eonten- tion as heir to the property is thor oughly established 1t had to be, for as you know. the judges son had been dNdN HUH itfAS hNiFhRfi hooh M years. practically ever since boyhood He was almost unknown to the loea inhabitants even 10 the servants. He was even reported as being dead This state of affairs made identitica ton the most important thing to bt considered Consequently ali docu ments bearing directly on that point are at present out ot my reach. You understaDdT'
 Yes. only you must have retained something to substantiate your word
 Precisely. was coming to that have letters from my father which should be sufficient You have seer Judge Henleys writingY" and he hand ed me a half dozen missiyes. They were without envelopes. each begin ming simply, My Dear Son. relating principally to local conditions on the plantation, and occasionally express ing a desire for the wanderer to re turn and assume the burden of man agement That they were in the crab bed and peculiar handwriting of the old judge was beyond all question. and the dates covered several years. read item through carefully, puzzled by their contents.
 There are no envelopesf
 No: l never keep them why2"
 .'Only that no name is mentioned they begin all alike. My Dear Son
 'l never thought of that. he ad mitted. stimulating surprise. but cal supplement ny showing you this pie ture. taken three years ago at Mo bile. tOf course you will recognize myself. but may never have seen a photograph Of judge Henley"
 ''I never have
 "Wel. that is his likeness and there are those on board who will identify it. Does this satisfy you that am what 1 claim to be?
 In truth il did not. for would have believed nothing in opposition tc the positive statement of the woman that he was not Philip Henley. fei finder other conditions divorced from what | knew the letters would be conclusive Were they really addressed to him or had he stolen them: If the latter then how had he succeeded in getting his picture on the same plate with Judge Henley's! Aware that even the slightest hesitancy might awaken suspicion. answered quickly.
 1t would seem to be unanswerable. What hurts my pride is to have been made such d fool of.
 That's nothing. Craig. We have all had that experience. stand ready to give you chance now on the winning side. There will be more money in it