The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1908-11-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

JOHN STRINGE WINTER.  CHAPTER LS.--TRAFFORD KHAN  "No doubt, Ca,otaiu Chinnery, you consider me an undetected plunderer, but it was not so. Later. -Adieu I came to examine the roll I found my own name written on it, and. in addition. these words: 'Michael Lawson. Half year's income,' and below the date. This was in Trafford Khan's own writing. I deternuned. to accept it as I found it. If murder head been committed, and I were found there. I might have been the scape-goat, and I had no inclination to play the part of a martyr. Besides that, I had too keen an incentive to live and to establish my identity. which I was • then more sure than ever was one I should not be ashamed of." _  Lawson mused for a moment or so, and than, taking a packet from his breast pocket, unfolded several sheets of paper. disolosuig a metal box: toside this was a minute gold instrument. which Blandford was about to touch, but Lawson ewiftly Mopped him. Don't touch that; or you may puncture your finger." "Poison!" the two men whispered. "Tell me, why should this instrument have been lying on the Khan's bed?" asked Cfipinerv.  "Did he inject morphia?" said Blandford.  --`risTot he. He had nerves of steel. This' was used on those he wished out of his way for a period. Gentlemen, you cannot follow me,therefore. I'll demonstrate the work-, ing of this dangerous toy. Observe the bulb no bigger than a pea, yet it contains sufficient quantity of a drug to render the strongest man helpless. Insert that needle point in any part of the body. press the piston. and a medical man could not detect the difference between suspended animation and. actual !Leath."  Blandiord and Chinnery rave a cry of amazement, their credulity was gone. they now understood Lawson's theory respecting his belief that Trafford khan still lived._  "Then you believe, really and truly belieye,•that the late Khan was only in a trance," said C'hinnery. "I do firmly." • "But the funeral." "A sham." "A sham!" echoed the two men. 1 "The body wee removed from the coffin, and another one substituted for it." "A risky trick," said Chinnery. "Risky. perhaps, but not difficult when there is an unlimited supply of money. What is more, I would pledge my honour that I am right." There was a i?assionate calm in his manner that convinced his hearers of his sincerity. "The roll of banknotes. I was convinced, were intended for me. I was convinced that after the violent quarrel with his daughter, he intended to make restitution lo me. I may be wrong in the eyes of the law, technically wrong, though I hold the Khan's written words; bqt there is no retreat for me. I go forward, on and on, till my • mission is completed. The question is. Will you help me!'" For answer Chinnery and Blandford offered their hands, which Leaveon clasped in hig, tears ot gratitude springing to his eyes."  "The necklace ought to be returned," suggested Chinnery. No, no. The diamond necklace is a clue to my parentage. 'Should my conviction prove to be an illusion, then Bland. ford shall forward it to M 166 Trafford. I cannot let it go while I ant waiting for the day wltcu I shall hare no need to say to laseelf 'Who art thou?' ''Don't be, carried away by your own enthusiasm,' said Blandford, in a tone of  I won t. At present I am a man in The midet of hie own loneliness, holding out hie hands for help. Aided or unaided, muet win my lost heritage." He turned to them appealingly. has eyes radiant with lope. "Will you be the men to help?" Together they answered: ."We will."