The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-21
Copyright, 1911, by the Mcclure Newspaper
syndicats.i


"LUBs are not always trunps. muir
INJURED Gale, looking up for mo-
ment from his brief.
The summer of 1914 was at its
Aeight-London was baked with heat and
the world greatest war in history was
nothing more than an improbable posi-
bility.
Relevant" queried Danvers.
'Gadarenei I cast my pearls before
you in vain-it was an epigram- re-
ferred to gambling clubs"
Roger Nation, 1 presume. Well, he
needs a relief expedition If any man
ever did,
Not represented By counsel at the po-
lice court apparently7'
No. his solicitor. Lister. defended him
The witnesses for the prosecution seem
to have riparian hankerings. They all
live on tho Thames
"The sea doesn't hold the monopoly of
peril for the sailor" remarked Gale. ''If
this accusation Is false, where's the mo-
tve7 Here we have a decent fellow in
the navy-engnged to nice girl-and yet
three independent people swear he forged
his friends name TO check"
Lieutenant Nation and Miss Naylor
are here. sir. with Mr.. Lister" Gorrinse.
''Show them In
Gale shook hands.
How long have you been engaged,
MT Maton?" Gale put the question as
naturally as II he were asking for
match.
"A week before this Savoy business"
was the ready answer. but he looked
surprised.
Amy private enemies?''
None that 1 know Of"
Miss Mayor said Gale. turing to
her. please do not think my questions
impairment; but 1 want the most per-
man you knew who perhaps cared for
you-unavailingly-wh might have had
. grudge against your fiance?"
She hesitated and looked at Nation
There were other men," she answer
ed slowly. who were fond of me. but
they weren't that Sort
THANK you. 1 am trying to find q
motive for the accusation" He looked
at Nation as he spoke-seeking some
hint OF embarrassment and finding none
The list of June, 1 see. was the date"
said Gale, taking a little red diary from
his pocket.
20! Sunday. and blazing hot day If
i remember"
Nation nodded.
Very well. Now let US take your story
nrst of what you did. No-no." as Ma
ton opened his lips to speak. 81 want
to ask you questions"
thority.
You had. I think. arranged to meet
Miss Naylor at the Savoy for tea What
time were you to meet?"
"Four-thirty."
And what time did YOU meet?. The
tone was an epitone Of masculine resig-
nation.
Five interrupted the girl: lit wasn't
my fault
''Dressmakers don't work on sundays."
He wanted her to smile. She was look
ing strained.
NO" she answered. the shadows lift
ing. II could not get a taxi"
How do you fix o'clock as the time
OF your arrival?'
IT had been lunching In Cadogan
Square and could not get away until half
past four Claude and I had only been
engaged a week. I had heard his-well-
his vitriolic comments feminine I'M
punctuality and was trying to conform
to naval discipline, but 1 could not ind
taxi anywhere I had to 30 half way
across Eaton Square. 1t was very no,
and 1 walked slowly BY the time l
passed Big Ben 1t was five minutes to
nve. and when I shook hands with
Claude. found him holding a watch"
"And you both looked at it?"
Yes. IT was just I'VE o'clock"
Gale turned to Nation
What time did you reach the
E.voyT'
Two minutes before the half hour
I wasn't taking any chances"
Then you had half an hour to
wait"
Nation nodded.
Now it is during this half hour
NnAI you are accused OF Forging Sll
Reginald Payne's name to a check
for q hundred and fifty pounds. The
night before-thats Saturday-you
were playing auction at the sa-
marian"
Yes" answered Nation. Il was
who elseT'
There were Reggie Payne-Cart-
Aow-hes IN the Guards. and Stanley
Who Is something in the City
How did you end up the EVENING"
'CArthew owed me flyer. which ht
gave me in cash. Reggie Payne wa:
down twenty pounds to me. He had no,
his check book with hin-so he got 9
blank check from the Club steward ant
made 1t out in my favor filling in the
name OF Lloyds Bank"
And this check you had with you n
the Savoy Sunday afternoon?'
Gale placed a copy of the check II
front of him-a fac-simile OF the original
go on, please"
well. then. I wrote letter to mi
bank enclosing Payne's check
"One minute" interrupted Gale. .s'Yes
here's my copy of It: Please place en-
closed to my credit mentioning NJ
amount. Common. but unbusnesslike
DID you put Payne's check and you
letter into the envelope?" asked Gale.
yes and addressed the envelope 4
Iloyd's Bank; Reggie Payne and bot
bank there
tea-at lsst-you were SO excited that yo'
left the envelope containing the lette
and the check on the writing table. didn'
youE'
Yes
"And you found the envelope there OIL
your return
"Yes"
~Untouched?"
apparently"
"Mr Nation" said Gale earnestly
snieaEe think before answering thi
question-do you remember whether In
envelope was stuck down when you re
turned!"
"Yea-it certainly was-Miss Maybe
and I have had some wild discussio
about the wisdom OF licking gum err