hin the reach of
the law a hundred times. If the police come to me, I'll tell them what I
have told you. No one would be more pleased than I to see Walter laid by
the heels."

"Is his name Walter?"

"Yes, Walter Franklin, although he chooses to call himself Wilson. My
name is George. He is a blackguard."

"Oh, sir, your flesh and blood."

"He's no brother of mine," said Franklin, rising, with a snarl. "I hate
the man. He had traded on his resemblance to me to get money and do all
manner of scoundrelly actions. That was why I went to Italy. It seems
that I did wisely, for if I could not prove that I have been abroad
these ten years, you would swear that I was Walter."

"Oh, no, sir--really." Mrs. Benker rose also.

"Nonsense. You swore that I was Walter when we first met. Take a good
look at me now, so that you may be sure that I am not he. I don't want
to have his rascalities placed on my shoulders."

Mrs. Benker took a good look and sighed. "You're not him, but you're
very like. May I ask if you are twins, sir?"

"No. Our eyes are the only things that we have in common. We got those
from our mother, who was an Italian. I take after my mother, and am
black, as you see me. My brother favored my father, who was as red as an
autumn sunset."

"He was indeed red," sighed Mrs. Benker, wrapping her shawl round her;
"and now, sir, I hope you'll humbly forgive me for----"

"That's all right, Mrs. Benker. I only explained myself at length
because I am so sick of having my brother's sins imputed on me. I hope
he paid your rent."

"Oh, yes, sir, he did that regularly."

"Indeed," sneered Franklin; "then he is more honest than I gave him
credit for being. Because if he had not paid you I should have done so.
You seem to be a decent woman and----"

"A widow!" murmured Mrs. Benker, hoping that he would give her some
money. But this Mr. Franklin had no intention of doing.

"You can go now," he said, pointing with his stick towards an ornamental
bridge; "that is the best way to the high-road. And, Mrs. Benker, if my
brother should return to you let me know."

"And the police, sir," she faltered.

"I'll tell the police myself," said the man, frowning. "Good day."

Mrs. Benker, rather disappointed that she should have received no money,
and wishing that she had said Walter Franklin had not paid her rent,
crept off, a lugubrious figure, across the bridge. Franklin watched her
till she was out of sight, then took off h