The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-07-13

asked.
Eyes, that you were engaged with
some one, but would be at leisure in
a few minutes. The boy came and
told me only just now that you could
see me-"
1T was a clever schemel" exclaimed
Craig.
"Do you believe that-he arranged
ito find out about the buckle?"
gasped the girl
Precisely"
"But how did he know that we were
to be here?" she questioned as much to
herself as to him. mo one could pos
sibly have known about 1t, except your
man and my maid"
Cooley is Trustworthy" said Craig,
shortly.
"And you know how trust Sophie"
she said.
"Tt's more than I do"-Rutherford
thought, but did not say.
IF 1t is convenient we will get to
business" announced the agent in his
crispest tones. "You have come pre-
pared with your proofs, Miss Ballan-
tyne?"
Eyes, SIR, they are all here: the mar
riage certificate of my father and
mother, some family portraits, the GER
tificate of my birth, my baptismal
record; / have even brought some
merit-records from my early school
days, so that you might be quite sure"
The lawyer ran through the docu-
meRts with quick and practiced eye
Every good, I think" he said, ap
provingly Il must make few notes
to compare with records in our office.
And, Miss Ballantyne, 1t is necessary
Il am acting exactly according to the
instructions set down in the will of
deceased client, you understand-it is
necessary for you to furnish affidavit
that you hve-alone"
Miss BaHantyne seemed entirely un-
disturbed by this strange condition,
but Rutherford heard it with dismay
$50 have understood, Mr. Leclerc,"
she replied You may not know the
reason for such provision; but my
unce, Geoffrey Ballantyne, did my
father an irreparable wrong in life,
and now seeks this means to prevent
him from regaining his property and,
what is dearer, his reputation"
"You can furnish me with the re-
quired proofs2" he said.
Certainly" she replied, with an as
suranca to which Craig listened with
growing perplexitF.
"Are they with these papers? ?" the
lawyer asked, indicating the leather
bag.
"They are," she answered, turning
deftly to the desired document.
81 see," nodded the lawyer. "Af-
fdavits to the effect that you live
Ione-that is, that you do not live with
your father, or he with you"
Eyes. do not suppose such af-
fdavit excludes my maid"
Rutherford stared at Miss Ballan-
tyne. Surely she must know that she
was uttering a deliberate falsehood--
yet her face was the very mirror Of in-
nocence.
"You will find Also" she said slowly,
San affidavit from me covering specf-
f1cally all persons who have entered
my home You will find the affidavits
of the manager and the clerk of the
Hotel Monolith. They will prove to
you that my father registered there
exactly twenty-five minutes after he
was through with the customs officers
at the dock where the Gothic landed,
and that he has lived there ever since,
spending each night and most of every
day at that hotel"
II must examine and verify these"
observed the lawyer "It will take the
better part of a week"
Sand them" the girl questioned
eagerly, leaning forward, her eyes
sparkling with excitement
"On Friday of this week~~as / can
manage 1t by that time," saia Leclerc,
looking through his thick glasses, as
though he had only now discovered
a humanness and charm in this new
client. meet me at o'clock in the
afternoon
"Here?" she finished, too impatient
" UUoAs tiAO oAOW oPCOSA " tlC Atcs1A
at law.
"No-at the offices Of my CORES
pondente, Cowen, Coyington & Brown,
No. 80 Nassau street."
"You have asked me several ques-
tions, Mr.. Leclerc," said she. Nov,
may ask you one?'
Certainly though ! may not be at
liberty to answer it."
you have the other blue buckle ?"
"Not with me-"
"Tell me the inscription on it.
pleased"
els there an inscription on it?" he
parried.
After he had departed Craig waited
moment for her to perhaps
to offer some explanation-but she
only passed her hand across heEseyes,
as If in WEAKNESS.
II think-you are not pleased with
me-that you have been thinking un-
l.. III.