pen negotiations with Ingraham, for I know that
he is strongly in favor of Spaiter. Nor do I think it would be
well to make application through Brown, who, I learn, contemplates
withdrawing altogether from the University. Consequently, I advise
that you make no further move in this matter until you are apprised
of Power's return. I will see him and Tarr as soon as possible;
and you may rest assured that I will do all I can for you.

Y'r ob't, humble serv't to command,

Abner Dudley Logan. To Charles M. Brady,
Williamsburg, Va.

"Now, what does this mean?" Drane thought as he saw the full signature,
Abner Dudley Logan. "Has the fellow been adopting an alias? I must
investigate this matter. But meanwhile I've another task before me,"
and he spread the letter before him on the table, drew forth writing
materials, and set to work. The next evening and the next found him
similarly engaged, until by dint of repeated effort and close
observation, aided by natural aptitude for such work, he produced a
fair counterfeit of Abner's writing. While thus engaged, another scheme
presented itself to his fertile brain. To carry out this scheme, he
first made a copy of the letter to Brady. The wording was the same as
that of the original, and the penmanship so good an imitation that only
a suspicious and close observer could detect the difference.

"As this Brady is far away, and probably not so well acquainted with
the schoolmaster's fist as Gilcrest is, it will be safer to send my
copy to him," Drane decided, "and manipulate the original for the
Major's benefit. If this, in conjunction with that other document I
shall show at the same time, doesn't put an end to that upstart's
chances with Gilcrest's daughter, I'm much out of my reckoning. Ah,
Betty! bewitching, tormenting Betty! I'll have you yet in spite of your
stand-off airs and half-veiled scorn of James Anson Drane."

The next afternoon found this unscrupulous plotter closeted with Major
Gilcrest in the pleasant library at Oaklands.

First pledging Gilcrest to absolute secrecy, Drane submitted a letter
beginning with the address, "Dear A. D.," and signed with the initials
"B. S." Much of the letter was couched in language so obscure as to
bear no precise meaning without a verbal interpretation which, the
letter stated, would be given by the bearer, S. Swartwourt, to wh