Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-04
By HARICK YANARDY

unmindful of what was going on,
the guests at inquest slept peaco-
fully.
| Within the larger garage, to which
the body Of Belknap was carried,
group of people was gathered. There
were several strangers there who went
outside, presently, at the request Of
Cartuthers, for they were the men who
had been assisting him. Rodney Rush
ton was there, and Tom Clancy, and
julius. Roberta was there, clinging
close to Katherine. Senator Maxwil-
ton was there, he having still been
| deep in the discussion Of genealogy
with Roberta when Katherine sum-
moned her. Bing Harvard was there,
very silent and very still.
When Carruthers sent his men away,
he closed the door and turned to face
those who remained; |; but
AS he made the turn he swept one
hand across his face.
AS If by magic the hideous scar that
had so. distorted and changed his every
feature, was torn away, and he stood
revealed to all as Roderick Maxwilton-
Katherine, who had been a long time
in consultation with julius, was, In
a half measure, prepared for it never
theless she started forward with q
quick cry of joy and threw her arms
around her brothers. neck, to the ut
ter aniazement of Bing.
1t was the senator (who, oddly.
seemed not surprised at ALL who step
ped to Bing's side. quickly and uttered
the three words that explained the sit
uation.
1T is Roderick, - he said then, after
moment, he added: II knew yester-
day, Bingham. He took me aside and
told me. Then, tonight, after dinner,
we went together to his mother; and
Bingham-she is as happy now as she
was on that Gay, years ago, when she
brought him into the world"
Roberta" the senator went on,
come here" Then: katherine. Ro-
berta is Maxwilton. She is a cousin,
many times removed. She is even
closer kin to your wife, Tom," he
added, turning to Clancy. "They had
the same great grandmother. She is,
l am proud to state, Maxwilton."
You bet she isl" Roderick an
nounced, reaching out and clasping one
of her hands. And she is going
to be Maxwilton by name as well as
by nativity
This is not moment nor place
for rejoicing" Katherine announced,
so, although it is late, 1 want YOU
all to come with me to the library.
l have something of interest to tell"
"One moment" said Roderick. Be
fore we leave the silent member of
this party, l have something to tell.
He has been as bad as bad could be,
but there was an explanation for 1t,
If not an excuse. He is dead, now. In
his possession, when his clothing was
searched, we found quite an assortment
of papers. Some of them related to
the hiding places of certain engraved
plates which the United States Gov
ernment will now secure, and destroy.
Others referred to matters connected
with me, and are proof sufficient OF
my innocence of certain acts with which
| was once charged, if, happily, it
were not the fact that we already
been acquitted of it .s my own &C.
partment. So l shall suggest that no
further reference be made to his mis-
deeds, and in making that proposal /
know that | will have the approval of
my chief. He is dead Let him rest"
And he died without knowing that
he did not possess the Eye of Nadia"
Katherine exclaimed. Il am very glad
of that. Yes, L ap glad of it."
And, until she told her story in the
library, they cid not know what she
meant.