rls of the same age, isolated far from civilization for a long
winter. One child dies, the other departs with Gentleman Geoff. What
more simple than to arrange for a plausible substitution of the
children? Gentleman Geoff being dead, the only possible obstacle could
be in the person of the other member of that lonely quartette, Frank
Hillery, the trapper. We know now how Wiley traced him and overcame
that difficulty.

"Wiley's efforts culminated in Arizona, but mine only began there. I
traced him back step by step on the trail he had come, following
Hillery, and in Missoula I learned more of Gentleman Geoff. Wiley must
have learned there what I did, that Gentleman Geoff's last name was
known to be Abercrombie, but Wiley didn't investigate deeply enough.

"I did. I found that Gentleman Geoff Abercrombie had a most unsavory
name there as a crooked gambler and card-sharp---- No, Miss Murdaugh,
please don't protest!"

Willa had turned upon him with flashing eyes.

"He had operated several gambling-casinos for brief, abruptly
terminated periods in Idaho and Montana, keeping about two jumps ahead
of a lynching posse most of the time and was last heard of in New
Mexico five years ago, when the Blue Chip was in full blast in
Limasito. In other words, there were two Gentleman Geoffs! The second
must have been a cheap swindler and card-sharp, who learned of your
foster father's fame as a square gambler throughout the West and sought
to profit by it. His operations were on such a small, petty scale,
however, that it is no wonder the story of his exploits never reached
the ears of the real Gentleman Geoff. Your title to your name is
assured now, Miss Murdaugh."

"And you have done all this for me!" Willa mused, then turned her level
direct gaze upon him. "Why, Mr. Thode?"

"Because I promised the man who brought you up and cared for you always
that I would do what I could to further the duty he had assumed and so
splendidly carried on," Thode responded simply. "When he lay dying, he
told me that, although you yourself did not know it, you were of
different blood and caste from your associates in Limasito. His own
words were that you were born a lady and must go back to your own."

"Dad said that?" Willa's lips quivered. "I learned to-day that he was
in love with my mother always, and she had told him her whole story. I
have found a friend here, too, Mr. Thode, a poor woman who is
frightfully maimed from sa