Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/79

 expected, neither Phil nor any of the habitues of his place knew of such a person as Ernest Stanley, much less such a transaction as he alleged to have occurred there.

"Stanley received his sentence calmly. Beyond stating that his age was 26 and his occupation that of a book-*maker he refused to furnish any details of his birth, early life or present residence. He served two years of his sentence and was pardoned by the governor this last Memorial Day. Strangely enough, the pardon was secured by the man whose name he was alleged to have forged—Cyrus Felton. Now, what feelings do you suppose actuated Felton in securing a remission of a year in the prisoner's sentence? Compassion?"

"What should you say were I to suggest the word 'remorse'?" replies Ashley.

"I should say," declares the detective, with a smile of approval, "that you had hit upon the very word. It is plain that you foresee what I am leading up to."

"To the theory that Stanley was innocent of the forgery and that the check was given to him by Ralph Felton?"

"Exactly. It will be difficult to prove, but if it can be proved it will have an important bearing on the Hathaway mystery. It will show Ralph Felton's capacity for wrongdoing and will enable us to surmise to what extent Cyrus Felton would shield his son from conviction of a crime. At the time the check was presented Ralph Felton was supposed to be in New York, and as he had been for some time more or less of a trial to the old man the latter doubtless suspected in an instant what we are assuming to have been the truth. He had to decide between his son and a stranger, and, as usual, the stranger suffered."

"What led Stanley to attempt to cash the check in Raymond?" debates Ashley.

"Well, if he was a stranger in New York he would find it impossible to cash it at any of the banks in that city. Why not run up to Raymond and cash it at the bank on which it was drawn? I forgot to say that at