ar as I can see, as a lawyer, does it involve danger. It
will make a man of Henley, reunite him with his wife if she still
lives, and give him standing in the world. Scattered about among
charities the Lord knows who it would benefit--a lot of beggars likely.
We are merely helping the boy to retain what is rightfully his. Don't
throw this chance away, hastily--ten thousand dollars is pretty good
pay for a couple of months' work."

I sank back into my chair undecided, yet caught by the glitter of the
promise. Why not? Surely, it would do no harm, and, if the
administrators were satisfied, what cause had I to object. They were
responsible, and, if they thought this the best course, I might just as
well take my profit. If not they would find someone else who would.

"But--but can that be done?" I asked hesitatingly.

Vail smiled, confident of my yielding.

"Easily," he assured. "Young Henley has been away five years; even
before that he was absent at school so much as to be practically
unknown except to the older servants. These have all been discharged,
and scattered. The wife is entirely unknown there. Anyone, bearing
ever so slight a resemblance, would pass muster. All you need do is
read the father's letters over, post yourself on a few details and take
possession. We will attend to all legal matters."

"Then you consider that I resemble Henley?"

"No," coolly, "not in any remarkable manner, but sufficient for our
purpose--age, size, general appearance answers very well; nose, eyes
and hair are alike, and general contour of the face is similar. There
is not likely to be any close scrutiny. Here is young Henley's
photograph."

He picked it up from among the papers, and handed it over to me. There
was a resemblance, recognizable now that my attention had been called
to it, certain features being remarkably similar, although the face in
the picture wore a hard, dissipated look utterly at variance with my
own. I glanced at the endorsement on the back.

"He was going to send this photograph to his father."

"Yes, but never did. Apparently there is no flaw in our plan."

CHAPTER III

I ACCEPT THE OFFER

I do not know how others might have looked upon such a proposition as
this, but it never occurred to me at the time to doubt the honesty of
Vail's statement, nor could I perceive any great wrong in the action so
calmly proposed. This was Philip Henley's property; his father
undoubtedly