- doubtedly dead long ago," Mrs. Matthewson said.
"We might at least not begrudge her a grave. We came near making Judge Parlin chief justice."
Charles was uneasy. His mother was not accustomed to losing her head, but he had his suspicions at this moment, and tried again to draw her away; but she seemed not to notice his efforts, and showed herself not loath to go on with the conversation.
"If the thing isn't true," broke in a woman who was fearful she might not make herself felt in the presence of the overbearing Mrs. Matthewson, "my husband says it's a forgery; but what could that nice Mr. Wing have forged such a story as that for? Do you see, Mr. Matthewson?"
"You must excuse me from expressing any opinion one way or the other," he said, thus distinctly appealed to. "Murders and forgeries are not in my line, and I don't think my opinion would have the value it might if I was a criminal lawyer or a detective."
"Oh, a detective!" some one interrupted. "What a dreadful nasty set of men detectives must be! It
